534 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD, 



more than clouble the yield iis compai'ed with plats which have grown no 

 legume. 



Permanent pastures for the cotton belt, L. Carrier (U. .S'. Dept. Agr., Office 

 Sec. Spec. [Virc.], 191 4, Dec. ,?.?. pp. 4). — Brief notes on the methods of produc- 

 tion of Bermuda grass, Lespedeza, bur, and white clover, carpet grass, Italian 

 rye grass, redtop, orchard grass, and hairy vetch. 



Report of the seed analyst, J. P. Helyab and R. Schmidt (New Jersey Stas. 

 Rpt. 1913, pp. 369-375). — This contains brief notes on scope of the work, 

 equipment of the laboratory, and data showing results of the analyses of 486 

 samples of seeds. 



HORTICULTURE. 



Report of the horticulturist, I\I. A. Bi.ake, A. J. Farley, and C. H. Connors 

 (Neic Jer.^cy Stas. Rpt. 1913. pp. 89-173, ;>?•■?. l^)- — Data are given on a survey 

 of the peach industry within a radius of six miles of the Vineland experiment 

 orchard (E. S. R., 30, p. 344). The influence of the control of the brown rot 

 and peach scab and the successful shipping of the first crop of peaches from 

 the experimental orchard in 1910 api^ears to have greatly stimulated the peach 

 industry as a whole, for the total plantings for the last three years are in ex- 

 cess of 76,000 trees as compared with about 20.000 trees for the previous three 

 years. Most of the orchards are receiving good care in cultivation and fertili- 

 zation. Of the varieties planted the Elberta ranks first in number, followed by 

 Carman. Champion. Belle of Georgia, and Ray. A brief account is given of the 

 work of the past season in the Vineland orchard, including an outline of spray- 

 ing practice. Orchard heaters were tested during the blooming period and the 

 temperatures kept above freezing, but high winds and wet weather greatly in- 

 terfered with pollination. 



During the spring of 1913 a study was made by C. Miller of the viability of 

 the pollen of the peach, nectarine, currant, and gooseberry. The results and 

 observations of this study are briefly recorded here. A preliminary test of 

 various solutions in which to gei'Diinate pollen resulted in the selection of a 20 

 per cent sugar and gelatin solution, and also a 20 per cent sugar solution, the 

 former being most satisfactory for the germination of peach pollen. 



A study of the viability was made with pollen gathered fresh from the trees 

 just previous to each test. Ripe pollen which would germinate was found upon 

 seven varieties of peaches and three of nectarines from April 9 to 21. or a 

 period of thirteen days. There were many periods of wet weather during the 

 blooming i)eriod, and it was noted that ripe, yellow pollen grains upon the 

 anthers turned to a grayish white and had a leached appearance following 

 such wet conditions. All such grains failed to germinate when tested in the 

 laboratory. Some varieties were found to be more capable of germinating in 

 dilute sugar solutions than others. It is suggested that such varieties should 

 be at an advantage during wet blooming periods. 



Viability tests were also made of i^each and nectarine pollen taken from 

 blooming twigs kept in the laboratory. Very little pollen was in condition for 

 germination until April 7. Fairly constant results were secured with most 

 varieties from April 9 to 17, when a rapid falling off in the ability of the 

 pollen to germinate occurred with two exceptions — Belle of Georgia pollen gave 

 a 49 per cent germination on April 2G, having yieldetl pollen capable of ger- 

 minating over a period of 22 days, and Carman gave a 43 per cent germination 

 upon April 22. 



Pollen secured from Maule Early twigs germinated in sugar solution for a 

 period of only nine days. Some poUen was collected and placed in a bottle, 



