HORTICULTUEE. 43 



mulch and dry plats. Hence it is assumed that lettuce can be grown continu- 

 ouslj^ on well-manured old soil. The straw mulch plat showed a marked de- 

 crease in yield, indicating the lack of fertility. 



No test was conducted with cucumbers but the authors cite some other ex- 

 periments to show that the cucumber is as sensitive as the tomato, if no more 

 so, to conditions prevailing in old well-manured soils in the greenhouse. The 

 authors conclude that a summer manure mulch may not obviate the necessity 

 of summer sterilization but, in part, it appears to answer that purpose. 



Onions, spinach, cauliflower, and casabas, F. Garcia and J. W. Rigney 

 (Neio Mexico Sta. Bui. 92 {1915), pp. Jfl, figs. 9). — In continuation of previous 

 cultural experiments with onions (E. S. R., 27, p. 438) the results are given of 

 fertilizer tests conducted with Bermuda and Denia onions for three seasons. 

 Concise directions are also given for growing onions by the transplanting 

 method, which has been found to be the best and most economical. The results 

 to date of cultural experiments with spinach, cauliflower, and casaba melons are 

 also reported. 



The fertilizer tests with onions have shown in general the value of fertilizers, 

 and especially of nitrate of soda, in increasing the yields. The work with spin- 

 ach was conducted with a view to determining its hardiness during the winter 

 and general adaptability for local culture, as well as to test the different varie- 

 ties. Practically all the varieties were hardy except the New Zealand, which 

 was entirely killed during the winter. A calculated yield of 2 tons per acre 

 was secured, the crop being planted the latter part of September and harvested 

 during the latter part of February. Notes are given on the dilfei"ent varieties 

 included in the test, together with a letter by C. E. Locke relating his experi- 

 ence in growing spinach. 



In the work with cauliflower a number of varieties were tested, with special 

 reference to the production of a late or fall crop of cauliflower. Half of each 

 plat of each variety was fertilized with nitrate of soda. The data secured for 

 each variety are presented in tabular form. The Erfurt and Snowball varieties 

 matured a heavier crop and a larger percentage of heads than any of the others. 

 The fertilized plants developed larger and heavier heads, but they were slightly 

 slower in maturing than the unfertilized plants. A letter by P. "W. Barker giv- 

 ing ad\ice on growing and selling cauliflower is included. 



Tests of casaba melons which have been conducted at the station during the 

 past three seasons indicate that they require a hot and dry condition to grow to 

 the best advantage. Too much and continuous rainy weather, especially if 

 accompanied by hot and sultry days, may encourage mildew on the vines. It 

 has been found that the melons grow too large as a rule, and the future work at 

 the station will include an attempt to produce smaller varieties of casabas. 



[Report of the] horticultural department, J. L. Stahl {Washington 8ta., 

 West. WasJi. Sta., Mo. Bid., 2 {1915), No. 10, pp. iS-i9).— Notes are given on 

 variety and demonstration tests of orchard and small fruits and vegetables 

 which have been conducted at the station during the seasons of 1913 and 1914, 

 including lists of varieties which have proved to be the most promising. 



A test of clean culture v. sod is being conducted in a young mixed orchard of 

 pears, plums, and cherries by using alternate strips or plats of trees of the same 

 variety in sod and cultivated soil. In the cultivated sections a soil mulch is 

 kept during summer, A vetch cover crop is grown during winter and plowed 

 under in the spring. The results thus far, as here briefly stated, show that the 

 trees in the clean culture plats are larger and produce almost double the amount 

 and size of fruit, although they were of the same size when the test was started. 

 Cherries and plums color as well in the cultivated plats, but pears color better 

 in the sod. 



