554 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



On the whole, the pnKluction of flower buds on the apple tree is largely controlled 

 by climatic conditions, but a number of other factors also enter in, over which the 

 orchardist has control. The temperature may be modified by planting on north or 

 northeast slopes. Early plowing prepares the ground for absorbing the spring rains, 

 and this moisture may be preserved for the use of the tree by fine level surface culti- 

 vation. A good supjily of moisture will favor the growth of healthy leaves and buds 

 which are essential. If rains are too abundant the gromid may be left rough to 

 hasten evaporation. Since early leaf and wood growth is desirable, manures should 

 be applied early in the season. Cover crops should be relied upcjn for furnishing 

 sufficient nitrogen to the soil, while wood ashes will furnish the potash and phos- 

 phoric acid required. Where cover crops are not grown, well-rotted barnj'ard 

 manure applied early in the spring may be used. 



Wood growth should come to an end about July 1 in the climate of Wisconsin in 

 order to give flower buds an opportunity to develop. A comparatively warm and dry 

 fall is most favorable. Should growth continue much after this date it may be checked 

 by a moderate root j)runing. "If the trees are large plow a 'middle furrow' mid- 

 way between the rows in both directions and follow with the subsoil plow. A slight 

 root pruning at this season will generally start the formation of flower buds if they 

 are backwanl." The plowing should be followed by a cover crop to evaporate any 

 excess moisture in the soil. The cover croj} will also ser\^e the purpose of keeping 

 the ground cool and of forming a winter protection. On poor soils leguminous cover 

 crops only should be used. 



Changes in the chemical composition of apples by storing, R. Otto ( Garten- 

 flora, 30 {1901), No. 12, 2U). 318-321) . — Changes during storage in the specific gravity 

 and the acid, sugar, starch, and extract content of 8 varieties of apples were 

 investigated. Some of the apples were in cellar storage nearly 3 months. They 

 were analyzed on being put into the cellar and again when taken out. The data 

 secured are tabulated and are summarized by the author as follows: With 6 of the 

 varieties there was a constant and considerable increase in the specific gravity of the 

 apples and in the acid, sugar, and extract content following storage. With the 2 

 other varieties there was a decrease in the starch and acid content and a slight 

 increase in the specific gravity and the sugar and extract content. On the average 

 the decrease in acid content was about 0.25 per cent and in the sugar content 1.7 per 

 cent. The increase in sugar content with the 2 varieties was scarcely 0.1 per cent. 



Cold or cool storage, Kemp {Garden, 59 {1901), No. 1533, pp. 329-331).— This 

 refers particularly to the storage of apples in England. 



Further contribution to the chemical composition of different varieties of 

 apples at the Government Pomological Institute at Proskau, K. Otto ( (^iarten- 

 flora, 50 {1901) , Xo. 10, pp. 259-263) . — A table is given showing the chemical composir 

 tion with reference to sugar, acid, starch, specific gravity, etc., of 26 varieties of apples. 



Pollination of apples, F. A. Waugh ( Vermont Sta. Rpt. 1900, pp. 362-366). — 

 The self-fertility or sterility of apple blossoms to their own pollen was investigated. 

 Thin paper bags were tied over clusters of blossoms during the blossoming season. 

 From 10 to 30 blossoms Avere covered by each sack. They were thus protected from 

 the visits of insects and all foreign pollen. After the blossoming season the )>ags 

 were removed and the clusters examined. A record is given of the fruit set, of the 

 clusters which failed to set fruit, and of the crops set on the tree by the uncovered 

 blossoms. The record includes the data obtained with 18 varieties. It shows that 

 only 3 apples set out of 2,586 blossoms covered. These were of the Baldwin, Esopus, 

 and Fameuse varieties. The practical conclusion is reached that "large blocks of 

 apples of a single variety should never be planted, no matter what the variety may be. 

 Mix 2 or more varieties together in alternating rows." 



Other considerations are that the varieties which stand next to each othet'^n the 

 apple orchard should blossom at the .same time and that "in planting trees to secure 



