1048 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Plantain cultivation in itc Assam Valley, B. C. B.vsr {Indian Agr., -26 

 {1901), No. 11, ]ij>. .34~-S4o]. — Thi8 article give?^ the characteristics of many culti- 

 vated varieties of plantain, methods of culture and manuring in the Assam A^^lley, 

 diseases and insects affecting, yield and prices, use as food, fodder, and alkali, and 

 methods of preparation. The value of the plant from the standpoints of fiber, medi- 

 cine, etc., is also discussed. 



Tomato culture, R. H. Pkice ( Texas Farm and Ranch, 20 {1901), Xo. 49, pp. 10, 

 11). — Tomato culture in Texas is dealt Avith. Dwarf Champion and Acme are the 

 only varieties recommended. A hotbed is necessary for growing an early crop, and 

 plants are put out from May 10 to 15. It is recommended to train the vine to one 

 long stem and tie to stakes. 



Culture of truffles, F>. Zachakawkz {Rev. Yd., 16 {1901), Xox. 411, pp. 4^o-4SS; 

 412, ]ip. 51S-'>20). — ^lethod,! observed in France in planting, fertilizing, cultivating, 

 and harvesting trufHes are described. 



Lessons in commercial fruit growing, ¥j. H. (/Joff {Madisim, Wixcuiitiin: rtii- 

 versifi/ Cooperative As-^onation, 1902, pp. 221, JigK. 4S). — This is intended as a beginners' 

 text-book for use in the c-lass room. The text is statetl concisely with the expi'ctation 

 that it will be amplified by the instructor. Orchard and small fruits, nuts, grapes, 

 and citrus fruits are considered in the work, and these are discussed topically from 

 the standpoint of cultural range, propagation, planting, and care of the trees; the 

 insects and diseases affecting them; and the harvesting, storage, and marketing of 

 the fruit. Brief summaries follow the different sections and chapters, and sugges- 

 tions are given for laboratory work. The final chai)ter is devoted to the business 

 management of the fruit i)lantation. The work will l)e found a convenient guide to 

 those giving instructitm along these lines. 



Fruits and shrubs, S. B. Greex ( Mlnne.-<ota Sla. Bid. 72, pp. S21-332, 3oS, 339, 

 figs. 4)- — At the Coteau farm, which is located in southwestern Minnesota, in the 

 region of scant rainfall, wild plums, apples, raspberries, ))lackberries, strawberries, 

 buffalo berries, sand cherries, high-bush cranberries, currants, gooseberries, June 

 berries, and mulberries have been successfully grown only l)y the aid of forest pro- 

 tection. Without it, indifferent results or failure have resulted. A list is given of a 

 number of the more important shrul)s and vines that succeed best at the station. 

 The best hedge jilants for division lines and for ornamental purposes are the common 

 English buckthorn and buffalo berry. For lugh-hedge jiurposes box elder is consid- 

 ered one of the best. The wil<l j>lum is considered a desirable fruit for locations 

 having conditions similar to those at the station. Apples should be grown in rather 

 closely planted small orchards, surrounded by windbreaks, or else in alternate rows 

 with box elder. The most hardy varieties thus far tried are Hibernal, Patten Green- 

 ing, Duchess, Peterson Charlamoff. Among the crabs, Minnesota, IMartha, Pride of 

 Minneapolis, Transcendent, Virginia, and Sweet Russet are the best tried. Rasp- 

 berries and strawberries should be heavily mulched with straw. Over strawberries 

 the mulch should be at least 6 in. thick after it has settled down. This treatment 

 will frequently prevent the formation of "nubbins." 



Fertilizing orchard trees, A. Wagner {Wiener lUu-f. (uirt. Zig., 2(! {1901), No. 

 10, p]). 345-352). — Tlie author discusses the use of various manures and artificial fer- 

 tilizers for orchard trees, and gives suggestions for fertilizing tiiem in accordance with 

 the number of square meters over which the roots of the tree extend. This is 

 determined by adding from 1 to 3 meters to the diameter of the crown of the tree. 

 The area in square meters of the circle thus formed is easily calculated. The amount 

 of fertilizer to apply to each S(]uare meter is given for a number of fertilizers as fol- 

 lows: (1) Liquid manure(vvith phosphoric acid or superphosphate), 5 liters in spring 

 and summer; (2) liquid night soil (with wooil ashes or a potash salt), 3 to 4 liters in 

 spring and summer; (3) compost, 10 kg. in fall, winter, or spring; (4) stable manure, 

 4^ kg. in fall, winter, or spring. 



