836 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol. 40 



The relation of time of blooming to ripening period in peach varieties, 

 J. B. S. Norton (Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci., 15 (1918), pp. 66, 61, fig. 1).— The 

 author presents tables, based on an examination of data bearing on peaches 

 of New York (E. S. R., 38, p. 42), relative to the blooming and fruiting periods 

 of 179 varieties of peaches. These indicate in a general way that the later the 

 blooming of peaches the later the ripening. 



Five years' results in plum pollination, A. H. Hendmcksox (Proc. Amer. 

 Soc. Hort. Sc-i., 15 (1918), pp. 65, 66). — A summary of the author's paper on 

 this subject, discussing the results of five years' investigations in pollination 

 .studies conducted at the University of California. Of the Japanese varieties 

 tested, Combination, Kelsey, Satsuma, Burbank. Wickson, Sultan, and Abund- 

 ance were self-sterile. The Climax was self-fertile or at least partly - 



Among the European plums and prunes Clyman, Tragedy, and Robe de Ser- 

 geant were self-sterile. Imperial occasionally set fruit with its own pollen, but 

 for commercial purposes may be classed as self-sterile. The French (Agen) 

 and Sugar prunes were self-fertile. No cases of inter-sterility, either in the 

 Japanese or European plums, were found. 



Some factors favoring or opposing fniitfulness in apples. — The effect of 

 certain conditions and practices on the development and performance of the 

 individual fruit spur, C. C. Wiggans (Missouri Sta. Research Bui 82 (1918), 

 pp. 8-60, pis. Jf, fig. 1). — The results of a number of experiments dealing with 

 fniitfulness in apples are reported. These include performance records of fruit 

 spurs; sap concentration studies, both by the freezing method and by actual 

 chemical analyses; fertilizer experiments, and experiments in girdling, tillage, 

 pruning, and etherization. A review of the literature bearing upon the favor- 

 ing or opposing fniitfulness in apples is included. 



Various performanee records of individual fruit spurs on trees of different 

 varieties of apples were started in 1913 and continued for a 5-year period in 

 order to determine whether an individual spur or branch blossoms two or more 

 years in succession, in alternate years, or only once in its life history as a fruit 

 bearer. The data from these records are here tabulated in summarized form 

 and discussed. 



Jonathan, Grimes, and Wincsap were able to develop a fairly high per- 

 centage of blossoms each year while Rome, York, and C.ano produced an ex- 

 ceedingly high percentage of blossoms one season and a very low one the next. 

 The varieties used show remarkable uniformity with respect to the percentage 

 of the individual fruit spurs which alternate, that is, bloom only once in two 

 years. Jonathan and YYinesap were able to develop blossoms In successive 

 seasons on the same spur in a much greater proportion than the other varieties 

 observed. 



The work indicates that the soil in whieh the tree is growincr has little effect 

 upon the performance of the individual spurs with respect to alternation. I 

 trary to the results of some investigators, however, it appears that the fruitful 

 year of certain alternating sorts may be changed by the removal of the blos- 

 soms through either accident or design. The age of the spur systems of tin- 

 various varieties is practically the same, ranging usually from 2 to 8 years, 

 3 to G or 7 years being apparently the most effective fruiting age. 



In order to determine whether there is a correlation between the concentra- 

 tion of plant sap and stored reserves in bearing and nonbearing parts and the 

 observed bearing or nonbearing condition, determinations were made by the 

 freezing point method and also by making an actual chemical analysis of the 

 parts under consideration. Results as here presented indicate that sap fro?~ 

 bearing spurs has a slightly higher concentration (lower freezing point) during 



