HORTICULTURE. 741 



nols taken from field corn ears whieli appeared normal, but which had been ^rown 

 near sweet corn. The yellow kernels from the sweet corn were planted in an unfavor- 

 able i^lace and failed to grow. The white kernels produced ears showing very little 

 mixing, only now and then a kernel appearing which was not true. The kernels 

 from the field corn produced ears which showed numerous sweet corn kernels. 



"It seems safe to conclude, therefore, that the pre.sence of sweet corn in proximity 

 to field corn does not influence the character of kernels of the latter during the 

 season of growth, while the field corn does affect the sweet corn, entirelj- I'hanging 

 the character of the kernels pollinated by it. Kernels of field corn may, however, 

 be fecundated by sweet corn pollen, and the result will show the following year 

 when those kernels are planted, though the effect has not been visible upon the 

 kernels themselves. It seems, however, that when sweet corn has been crossed by 

 field corn the effect generally if not always shows, and that kernels which do not 

 show the effect will give a pure product the folio \ving year." 



Further experiments with crossed and self-pollinated muskmelons and watermel- 

 ons (E. S. R., 11, p. 928) are reported. Seed from a green-fleshed watermelon 

 crossed with a pink-fleshed variety when planted produced melons intermediate 

 in character beween the 2 fruits, the flesh having a yellowish cast tinged with 

 jiink. The seeds also varied in character. Sixty-four crosses and pollinations were 

 made in 1899, and 45 in 1900. Nothing could be detected in the resulting fruit or 

 seed which tended to show any immediate influence of the pollen on either color of 

 the fruit or character. 



Further notes and illustrations are given on the growth of fruit trees differently 

 topped and root pruned at the time of transplanting to the permanent orchard ( E. S. 

 R., 11, p. 928). The result of 3 years' observations are thus summarized by the 

 authors: "For practical purposes the most rational method seems to be to leave all 

 sound roots and shorten l)ack the tops, which not only helps to bring about a proper 

 balance between root and leaf, l)ut also improves the subsequent character of growth 

 of the tree." 



The garden book for practical farmers, T. Greixer {Pract. Farmer's Libr., 3 

 {1901), No. 2, pp. 190, figs. 129). — In this number methods of laying out the garden 

 are discussed, garden tools illustrated and described, directions given for making 

 hotbeds, cold frames, and cheap greenhouses, and popular information given regard- 

 ing gardening operations and the control of insect and fundus pests affecting garden 

 crops. 



Experiments with nitrate of soda on early beets, T. Brown ( New Jersey Sins. 

 Jipl. 1900, pp. 110-114). — This experiment with table beets is in continuation of that 

 previously reported (E. S. R., 11, p. 444). It differs from it only in the larger plats 

 used. Its purpose was to study the value of increasing amounts of nitrate of soda 

 for table beets grown in rich garden soil. The amount applied varied from 400 to 

 700 lbs. per acre. The effect on the increased earliness of the crop, total yield, and 

 value of the crop on the different plats are recorded. As in the previous year, the 

 extra earliness of the crop was considerably increased by the use of the nitrate, varying 

 in amount from (5.5 per cent in the case of the application of 400 lbs., to 18.4 percent 

 when 600 lbs. per acre was ajjplied. The total increased value of the crop due to 

 the use of nitrate varied from !f;;i0.20 when 400 lbs. per acre was applied, to $(>8 when 

 700 lbs. was api>lied. On the whole, an average return of $5 was obtained for every 

 dollar invested in nitrate of soda. The average increased net value of the croji per 

 acre was $54.15, slu)wing, as in the previous year, the practical importance of a 

 sufficiency of available nitrogen for quick-growing garden crops where earliness is a 

 prominent factor in the profits. 



An experiment with different forms and amounts of nitrogen on musk- 

 melons in 1899 and 1900, C. C. Huls.\kt [ Nrir .Irri<eii Stas. lipt. 1900, jip. 11',- 

 i--V).— The first year's work lathe use of different amounts and forms of nitrogen 



