HORTICULTURE. 535 



which was sealed and placed upon a shelf in the laboratory. Such pollen gave 

 a good percentage of germination ten days after pollen of the same variety 

 had failed to germinate when kept exposed to the air. 



In addition to the considerable difference in varieties as to the length of time 

 the pollen will remain viable, the authors conclude that there is variation be- 

 tween the pollen from trees of the .same variety occasioned by factors which 

 affect the development of the flowers. 



Somewhat similar viability tests were conducted with the pollen of the goose- 

 berry and currant. The ijollen of three varieties of gooseberries commenced 

 to germinate well on April 21 and continued to do so for a period of nine days. 

 A small percentage of pollen showed its ability to germinate as late as May 3. 

 The results of the tests with currants show that ripe, viable pollen occurred 

 upon the plants from about April 21 to May 12 to 14, depending upon the 

 variety, or a period of from 21 to 23 days. 



Some crossing work was also attempted with gooseberries and currants. The 

 number of crosses was small, but the results apparently indicate that the 

 Wildei", Pomona, and lied Cross varieties of currants are self-fertile. 



Tables are given showing the blooming dates for the seasons of 1912 and 

 1013 of the various kinds and varieties of fruits grown on the college farm, 

 together with a discussion of weather conditions at the actual blooming period of 

 certain varieties of fruits and the effect of the weather upon the flowers and fruit. 



The results of dynamiting for tree planting, based upon all of the tests 

 made at the station during the past two years, indicate that there is a greater 

 development of branch and twig at the close of the first season's growth for 

 peaches, but only a slightly greater development for apples where the trees 

 are planted with dynamite. See also a previous note (E. S. R., 29, p. 339), 

 This development has not been accompanied by a corresponding increase in the 

 circumference of the trunks. Both apple and peach trees planted with dynamite 

 have developed a deeper and stronger root system than trees planted in the 

 usual manner. In all the tests made, both with apples and peaches, the per- 

 centi'.ge of trees living through the first season wus practically the same, whether 

 dynamite was used or not. This is attributed to a previous thorough prepai-a- 

 tion of the soil before planting. The results of the tests as a whole indicate 

 thus far that the advantage in twig growth the first season shown by the trees 

 planted by the use of dynamite is not maintained the succeeding year. 



Results are given of experiments conducted witli American Beauty roses in a 

 commercial greenhouse during the seasons of 1910 and 1911. They indicate that 

 the American Beauty rose is markedly affected by the amount of light which it 

 receives in the greenhouse. All other conditions being equal the monthly yields 

 of this rose are reduced during the dull months of the year. Experiments show 

 that even in modern well-lighted rose houses plants near the south side of a 

 bench are more productive than plants near the north side. The general vigor 

 of the plants is not greatly reduced during the dull period. Individual plants 

 favored by extra light are more productive even in bright months, such as May 

 and June. Too close planting is likely to result in low yields from the less 

 favored plants. 



A paper dealing with a study made by C. H. Connors relative to the multipli- 

 cation of floral parts in the carnation, previously noted (E. S. R.. 30. p. 644), is 

 here given. 



Soil, temperature, and moisture studies with carnation and rose soils were 

 conducted in the station greenhouse by J. S. Obecny, largely with a view to 

 determining the variable factors to be considered in investigations with plants 

 under greenhouse conditions. In the data and observations recorded, the follow- 



