HORTICULTURE. 723 



Chemical investigation of seed wheat and of the wheat plant, H. Snyder 

 {Minnesota Sta. Bpt. 1893, pp. 147-160). — A reprint of Bulletiu 29 of the station (E. 

 S. R., 5, p. 8G7). 



Experiments with wheat, oats, barley, corn, and potatoes, A. Boss {Minnesota 

 Sta. Bpt. 1S93, pp. 201-214).— A. reprint from Bulletin 31 of the station (E. S. R., 5, p. 

 1073). 



Seed growing in Germany, E. Sarsson {Gard. Ghron., 17 (1895), ser. 3, p. 136). — 

 An account of the seed industry at tlie town of Quedlinburg. 



Making silage by the use of Blunt's press, Muller {Ztsehr. landw. Ver. Bayern, 

 S4 {1894), JSlov., pp. 868-872). 



HORTICULTURE. 



Classification of the sexual affinities of Frunus americana vars., 



C. W. Heideman {Expt. Sta. New (Jim, Minnesota, Ept. 1894, pp. 10, 

 ph. 2). — This consists of a report of investigations upon tbe fertiliza- 

 tion of plmns, tliose used in the experiments being cliiefly wild trees, 

 although a few cultivated varieties were also emi)loyed. Kumerous 

 crosses were made, and a careful anatomical and physiological vstudy of 

 the pistils and anthers was undertaken, to determine the forms best 

 adapted for self and cross fertilization and to ascertain the reasons of 

 self and cross sterility. The Howers were found to fall in 3 groups, 

 each with 2 subdivisions: Dichogamous, comprising proterogynous and 

 proterandrous; Heterostyled, comprising long-styled and short-styled; 

 and Bisexual, comprising gynodioecious and andromoecious. The her- 

 maphrodite form was found to be not common. The period of bloom 

 usually lasts for 3 days to a week, although the actual time in the life 

 of a blossom during which fertilization may be effected was found 

 rarely to exceed 2 hours, beginning from 2 to 24 hours after the blossom 

 has fully expanded. 



The crosses between these various forms of flowers were found to 

 vary greatly, in some cases not being possible. Reciprocal crosses were 

 also found to vary in the intensity of fertilization. The term illegiti- 

 mate is ajjplied to such union of the reproductive elements as results in 

 development of the ovary below the normal. Out of 49 possible combi- 

 nations of pollination only 13 are considered legitimate, the others 

 giving negative or but feeble results. Figures are given of the various 

 forms of flowers and a diagram showing diflerent ways in which fertili- 

 zation can be accomplished. 



Strawberry culture, W, B. Alwood {Virginia Sta. Bui. 37, pp. 

 13-19). — Descriptive and cultural notes and tabulated data on 39 varie- 

 ties of strawberries grown on the station farm. The plants were 

 mulched the previous fall with straw, which was not removed until the 

 middle of April, thus sheltering the plants through the winter and until 

 after the spring frosts. Uncovered plants bloomed in March and were 

 killed by a severe freeze the latter j^art of the month. The rainfall was 

 less than normal and the mean temi)erature of the spring was low, 

 resulting in a reduced crop of berries, only about one third the average 



