HORTICULTURE. 441 



orchards of the New Zealand experimental farms, including also lists of nursery 

 stocks and .seneral information relative to the work for the year. 



The protection of orchards in the Pacific Northwest from spring frosts 

 by means of fires and smudges, P. J. O'Gara ( L . S. Dcpt. Afjr., Farmers' Bui. 

 JfOl, pp. 2'i, fiffs. 11). — This liives in detail the results of successful experi- 

 ments and the methods employed in preventing frost injury by means of 

 tires and smudges in the i'pple, peach, and pear orchards of the Rogue River 

 Valley in southern Oregon during the spring of 1909. 



The results of the past season's work in the Rogue River Valley have shown 

 that crops valued at from $500 to $1,000 per acre were saved at a total expendi- 

 ture of not more than $15 to $20 per acre for firing. Wood and coal proved to 

 be the best fuel. The crude oil obtained was more or less mixed with water, 

 and did not burn readily. 



Report of chemist, A. W. Blair (Florida Sta. Rpt. 1909, pp. XXV-XXXIV, 

 figs. 2). — Brief notes are given on the fertilizer experiments with pineapples 

 (E. S. R., 22, p. 640). Extensive analyses are being made of the plants and of 

 the soils of the different fertilizer plats and the results are to be reported in 

 bulletin form. 



The station has inaugurated a cooperative citrus experiment to be carried on 

 for 10 years, the object of which is to determine the effect of certain fertilizers, 

 including lime and ground limestone, upon the chemical and physical properties 

 of the soil, upon the trees, upon the quality and quantity of the fruit, and upon 

 their relation to insect pests and diseases. The plan of the experiment is given 

 in detail. The standard formula selected for the young trees is ammonia 5 per 

 cent, from sulphate of ammonia ; phosphoric acid, 6 per cent, from acid phos- 

 phate; and potash. 6 per cent, from high grade sulphate of potash. Numerous 

 variations from this standard are being tested, together with nitrogen, phos- 

 phoric acid, and potash from many different sources. 



Analyses of a number of Florida sweet oranges made in 1904 are reported 

 for the first time. Although no final conclusions are drawn from the data 

 secured they indicate that the potash which is removed with a crop of oranges 

 should be replaced and that in many cases more phosphoric acid may have been 

 applied than was necessary. It appears possible that a relationship may be 

 proved to exist between the flavor of the orange and the ratio of acid to sugar 

 in the juice. Some nitrogen and acidity determinations made on a few samples 

 of soils from different groves are also reported. 



Cherries in Washington, W. S. Thornber (Washington Sta. Bui. 92, pp. 32, 

 figs- 10). — A i>opular discussion of cherry culture, taking up location of the 

 orchard, soils, planting, propagation and stocks, top working, cultivation, prun- 

 ing, harvesting and marketing, and gummosis. and also containing descriptions 

 and notes on varieties of Duke, ^lorello. Heart, and Bigarreau cherries grown 

 in the station orchard. Many variations as to shape, quality, productivity, and 

 general behavior of these varieties were noted as compared with the same varie- 

 ties in similar reports from eastern stations. 



Insuring the peach crop, C. A. Keffer (Tennessee Sta. Bui. 88, pp. 25-33, 

 figs. 3). — This bulletin deals largely with the results of spraying in the station's 

 experimental poach orchard during 1908 and 1909. Some results are also given 

 of thinning and protection from frost, together with a brief summary of Bulle- 

 tin 174 of the Bureau of Plant Industry of this Department, previously noted 

 (E. S. R., 23, p. 150). 



In the spraying experiments Bordeaux mixture of various strengths, self- 

 boiled lime-sulphur solution, and arsenate of lead were used. Tests of various 

 strengths of Bordeaux mixture indicate that a dilute mixture containing from 

 i to 1 lb. of copper sulphate is almost as effective in preventing peach rot as a 



