552 ' EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



in the country, information l^eing given in eacii case in regard to the cost of produc- 

 tion of different crops and cost of transportation to the different markets, tlie trans- 

 portation of fruits and vegetables from southern truck farms to northern markets, 

 the California fruit industry, and the movement of California fruits to interior 

 points and Atlantic seaboard cities. The report also contains a schedule of freight 

 rates and refrigerator charges on perishable products in all important sections of the 

 country. 



Report of manager [Missouri Fruit Experiment Station], J. T. Stinson 

 {Missouri Fruit Hta. Rpt. 1900, pp. .9-^5).— During the lirst year's operation of this 

 station about 40 acresof land were broughtunder c Utivation, 20 of which were planted 

 in test orchards. Experiments in crossing strawberries have been undertaken, and 

 some spraying experiments on a commercial scale for the control of apple scab and 

 bitter rot carried out in a neighboring orchard. Eighty vai'ieties of apples, 108 

 peaches, 41 grapes, and 36 strawberries were set (jut. Apple scab on the varieties 

 Ben Davis and Huntsman was almost entirely prevented by spraying with Bordeaux 

 mixture. Bitter rot was more difficult to control with Bordeaux mixture. In one 

 experiment on Ben Davis sprayed 5 times, 60 per cent of the fruit was free from 

 bitter rot, while on control trees only 1} per cent was free from it. In another part 

 of the orchard 78 per cent of the fruit sprayed 4 times was free from rot, while on 

 unsprayed trees all but 14 per cent was affected. The variety Huntsman, which was 

 sprayed 3 times during the season, "gave 83 per cent free from bitter rot and 92 per 

 cent free from apple scab, while on the unsprayed trees but 48 per cent was free from 

 bitter rot and 69 per cent free from apple scab. ' ' 



Orchard notes, F. (jI^arcia [New Mexico Sta. Bui. 39,2}p. 99-1.30, pis. 4)- — Results of 

 observations and experiments are here given on the growth at the station and else- 

 where in New Mexico of apricots, cherries, plums, quinces, and figs. The cultural 

 data given include the results of thinning experiments with plums, and experiments 

 in severely pruning back old peach trees that had become bare of fruiting wood at 

 the base and had grown so tall that it was difficult to pick the fruit. The varieties 

 of fruits grown are described, and data as to the blooming and ripening period and 

 comparative yields given. The summarized information on the growth of the fruits 

 in different parts of the Territory obtained by correspondence is also incorporated. 

 The data obtained go to show that "the apricot is of no commercial importance in 

 New Mexico, because it blooms too early to escape the late spring frosts, though the 

 trees are perfectly adapted to the climate." 



Of the cherries grown 4n New Mexico, the sour varieties predominate and seem 

 better adapted to the dry, sunny climate of the Territory than sweet varieties. At 

 the station the sweet varieties blossom late enough in most cases to escape frost 

 injury, but as a rule set little or no fruit. The northern part of the Territory seems 

 best adapted to cherry growing. "In the station orchard, Esel Rirsche (a sweet 

 variety). Early Richmond, Ostheim, and an unknown sour cherry have given the best 

 results." 



Both European and native plums succeed at the station and throughout the Terri- 

 tory. The European varieties bloom latest and for the most part are sure bearers. 

 The Damson is the most widely distributed i^lum in the Territory. Japanese phims 

 have proved almost worthless in New Mexico for commercial jjurposes, owing to 

 their early blooming habit and the consequent killing of the blossoms by late spring 

 frosts. These varieties may be planted in private orchards where the owner is sat- 

 isfied with a crop once in 5 or 6 years. The data given in regard to thinning plums 

 show that the percentage of marketable plums is considerably increased by thinning 

 and that the percentage is higher when thinned to 6 in. apart than when thinned to 

 only 3 in. apart. 



In cutting back old peach trees, 3 methods of pruning were used: In the first case 

 branches 5 and 6 years old were cut back to stubs 4 to 5 ft. high; in the second, only 



