HORTICULTURE. 49 



vented the greater number of frnits will be affected by it, as shown by the study of 

 Buffum pears. 



"(13) The normal typical fruits and in most cases the largest and finest specimens 

 either of the self- sterile or self- fertile sorts are crosses. 



Practical conclusions. — "(1) Plant mixed orchards, or at least avoid planting solid 

 blocks of one variety. It is not desirable to have more than 3 or 4 rows of one 

 variety together, unless experience has shown it to be perfectly self-fertile. 



"(2) Where large blocks of trees of one variety which blossomed well have failed 

 to fruit for a series of years without any apparent reason, it is exceedingly nrobable 

 that the failure is due to lack of cross pollination. The remedy is to graft in other 

 A^arieties and supply foreign pollen. 



"(3) Be sure that there are sufficient bees in the neighborhood or within 2 or 3 

 miles to properly visit the blossoms. When feasible endeavor to favor insect visits 

 to the blossoms by selecting sheltered situations or by planting wind-breaks." 



Protection of grapes against spring frosts, F. Houdaille {Prog. 

 A(jr. et Vit, 11 {1S94), No. 13, pp. 325-329; No. 14, pp. 357, 358).— The 

 author briefly reviews the methods proposed for lessening' the injuries 

 wrought by spring frosts on young grape shoots, citing a few French 

 vine growers who have used each system. The methods proposed for 

 use before frost occurs are late pruning, use of screens and of dust, and 

 watering the soil. Prof. Carre (Department of Haute-Graronne) observed 

 in 1892 that the varieties which made an early growth were the ones 

 which suffered most from frost. The author inclines to the belief that 

 late pruning, by delaying tlie growth of the shoots, is advisable. The 

 value of screens is admitted, but their cost precludes their use. The 

 use of some powder or dust <vas found by Carre to be effective when 

 applied to vines trained in a unilateral cordon, but ineffectual when 

 trained in goblet shape. Andrien tried whitewashing with a thick milk 

 of lime, but with scarcely appreciable effect. In another case the appli- 

 cation of dry plaster in AjDril, 1893, i)roved a failure. Xear Tunis in 

 the same mouth sprinkling with sulphureil milk of lime was efficacious. 

 Several instances are mentioned in which watering the soil resulted 

 favorably. 



For use during the time that the temperature is low enough for frost 

 the author recommends artificial clouds produced by burning tar or 

 other substances. One instance is cited in which the tar, instead of 

 being burned in metallic vessels, was poured into small holes made in 

 the soil. Artificial clouds gave satisfactory results only when the air 

 was still and when the thermometer stood not lower than 2° C. 



The author states that viticulturists are divided in opinion as to tlie 

 method of pruning frosted shoots and even as to the advantages of 

 pruning frosted vines at all. 



Chlorate of potash in mushrooms, E. Bourquelot {Bid. Soc. 

 MycoJ. France, 10 {1891), No. 2, pp. 88, 89).— The presence of chlorate of 

 potash in mushrooms has been known since 1866, when it was discov- 

 ered by Boudier in Amanita phalloides, A. muscaria, and Boletus edulis. 

 Since then various authors have added to the list of species containing 

 1976— :^o. X i 



