HORTICULTURE. 341 



A study of the structure of the flesh and skin of several varieties of apples 

 as compared with their keeping qualities shows that the best keeping vari- 

 eties have a firm flesh, compact tissue, and a thiclc and highly impervious skin. 

 The suberization and cutinization of the cuticle is a protective contrivance 

 which is of value in prolonging the life of apples. The change in chemical 

 and mechanical structure of the cuticular layer and the epidermis in general 

 seems to be quite common in the late keeping varieties, like Roxbury Russet 

 and Ben Davis. The Baldwin, a midwinter variety, has a rather porous flesh, 

 with large intercellular spaces and a moderately thick skin. Oldenburg, a 

 fall apple, has a relatively thin skin with thin walled cells underneath. 



Report of cranbeii-y substation for 1914', IT. J. Fkanklin (Massachusetts 

 8ta. Bill. 160 (1915), pp. 91-111).— Thia bulletin contains a full report on the 

 work at the cranberry substation in Wareham for the year 1914 (E. S. R., 31, 

 p. 740). 



The usual weather observations were made during the year and some evi- 

 dence was secured which indicates that an increased water content of the 

 soil tends to raise the minimum air temperature above it on cold nights. 

 Experiments in frost protection were continued. In September a test was 

 made of cloth such as is used in shading tobacco as a means of protecting 

 bogs from frost. A strip of cloth was supported by wires held 3 ft. above 

 the ground by stakes, about 9 sq. rods of rather dry grassy lowland being 

 covered. The cloth was spread out for the tests after sundown on cold 

 nights, the covered area being shut in on all sides. The cloth was removed 

 soon after sunrise and the soil exposed to the heat of the day. Thermometer 

 readings were made 5 in. from the ground under the cover and on adjoining 

 exposed land. The results showed that the cloth gave an advantage of about 

 4.5° F. With the outside temperature at 26.5° there was no frost under the 

 cover. It is believed that this advantage would be sufficient to warrant the 

 protection in this manner of bogs yielding good returns. The first cost of 

 protecting bogs with cloth is estimated as less than $200 an acre, and the 

 loss from depreciation no greater than the cost of the upkeep and operation 

 of a pumping plant. 



Work on the cranberry fertilizer plats was continued, no distinct advantage in 

 quantity, color, and size of fruit being shown by the fertilized areas as com- 

 pared with the check plats. The storage tests again showed a decrease in the 

 keeping quality of the fruit from nitrate of soda plats. It is believed that the 

 loss from these plats may be due to a greater shrinking of the somewhat more 

 succulent fruit rather than to increased .rotting. In 1914 two varieties were 

 fertilized during the blooming period with a mixture of 150 lbs. per acre of 

 nitrate of soda, 400 lbs. of acid phosphate, and 200 lbs. of high-grade sulphate 

 of potash. Data secured in yield and size of fruit indicate that the application 

 of fertilizer during the blooming period tends to cause a greater number of 

 blossoms to set and mature fruit. The same result was observed in the appli- 

 cation of nitrogenous fertilizers during the blooming period in 1913. 



The bee pollination experiments were discontinued. Some preliminary ob- 

 servations of studies of the seasonal development of the root growth of cran- 

 berries and of Mycorrhiza fungi on cranberry roots ai*e noted. Observations 

 made at the harvesting period indicate that the average loss of berries with 

 careful scooping is about 10 per cent as compared with an extreme loss of 25 

 per cent from hurried scooping. It is believed that under normal price condi- 

 tions it will pay to scoop heavy or medium crops slowly and carefully. Obser- 

 vations on the temperature of June reflowage water with reference to bud in- 

 jury have shown that water at 86° causes practically no damage to the buds. 

 It is believed that higher temperatures will seldom be experienced in flooding. 



