43 



perhaps even h'nd it some slight cucouragemeut ; moreover they distinctly point out 

 certain lines lor future study. 



Could the end aimed at he fully attained, so that tender and hardy varieties could 

 he ahsohitely distinguished from each other hy means of chemical tests, and farmer 

 and horticulturist he saved the years of trial now so often ending in dismal faihire, 

 the gain to all classes would he iuestiuiahle. 



An investigation of apple twigs, B. D. Halsted, D. So. (pp. 

 104-1312). — These botanical studies are cognate with the chemical 

 studies above referred to " with a view of increasing the present 

 knowledge of the niinnte structure of the twigs, including buds, of 

 various varieties of apple frees. The investigations herein described 

 were jirosecuted during the months of December (1888) and January 

 (1889). Primarily the investigations were carried out to determine the 

 conditions in which the various food materials formed by the trees 

 were stored up for future use; and in the second place to find if there 

 ■were any marlced differences in the amounts and qualities of these re- 

 serve food substances or any other constant differences among the va- 

 rieties subjected to microscopic examination." The structure of twigs 

 and buds and the functions of their reserve materials are explained 

 and discussed, and a considerable number of observations with the 

 microscope are described. 



There is a manifest tendency for the concentration? of reserve materials at points 

 ■where they are to he used and in the order named; first the albuminoids and next 

 the carhohydrates — first the hasis of protoplasm and next the substances protoplasm 

 must use in the building up of new tissue and in other vital processes. * * * Follow- 

 ing upon this is the conclusion resulting from the investigations upon the apple 

 twigs, namely, that other things remaining the same, the best-conditioned twig is 

 the one having a sufficient amount of reserve material within easy reach, and in the 

 best condition for the use of the plant. A well-preserved bud is therefore plump, 

 •with reserve substance in a comparatively solid condition, being firm hut not woody; 

 is well protected from the injurious effects of very sudden extreme changes of tem- 

 perature, and has close at hand a sufficient amount of starch or other carhohydrate 

 for its advantageous development. 



A prime condition of hardiness is maturity, and an essential part of 

 the growth of twigs to maturity is the storing of material in condition 

 to be kept until spring opens. 



Albuminoids and starch, which are concentrated as reserve material 

 in the twigs as the season advances, may be taken as the test of ma: 

 turity. Another test for autumn maturity in the apple seems to be 

 found in the lignified starch-bearing cone close below the terminal bud. 

 "'Grit' is determined as consisting of the thick-walled cells of the pith, 

 medullary rays, and wood pith. These cells are thickest in well-matured 

 twigs, ami when well filled with starch, therefore the presence of 'grit' 

 is an index of ripeness and the starch-storing capacity. Grittiness is 

 therefore a good sign in the apple, but it is not safe to conclude that it 

 can establish the rank a variety should take in any fruit-list." 



"Maturity of twigs is a condition of successful wintering, and there- 

 fore the so called hardy sorts are quite sure to finish their season's 



