538 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



skill. In the PonderosaX Dwarf Stoue crosses of bolli F- and Fs isolated plants 

 were found that surpassed any tomato known to be on the market in solidity of 

 the interior combined with absence of core and smooth round shape. 



Further selections of many-celled and 2-celled fruits in the prairie berry 

 failed to show any connection between cell number in the parent and in the 

 progeny. The prairie berry has been crossed with another variety of the black 

 nightshade with the view of determining whether fn.sciated fruit could be iso- 

 lated by crossing in this manner. Several F2 plants of this cross have appeared 

 in which the fluctuation in cell number of the prairie berry I'eappears but not in 

 which fasciatod fruits are the rule. Certain dwarf plants were secured from 

 this cross, w^hereas no dwarf plants have thus far ajipeared in the breeding 

 work with prairie berries. 



The sap circulation experiment outlined in the previous report (E. S. R., 30, p. 

 343) gave inconclusive results and is to be repeated under more favorable cir- 

 cumstances. 



The study of the effect of various chemicals on plants was continue<l. The 

 tests involved the effects of equal amounts of XO3. SO3, PO4. and CI in the form 

 of similar sodium, potassium, calcium, and ammonium salts. Buckwheat was 

 used in one set of pots and buckwheat and sweet potato vine in another set. The 

 results thus far here briefly studied show that the untreated pots and tliose con- 

 taining chemicals soluble with difficulty matured first and kept ahead in growth. 

 Those receiving the smaller excesses of nitrogen and phosphate salts developed 

 much slower than the controls but began to branch out profusely later, and when 

 the controls were already fully matured and dead the nitrogen plants especially 

 became fully as large, more branched, and bloomed profusely. It is possible to 

 distinguish between the sjTnptoms of plants suffering from the lack of a salt 

 and those suffering from an excess, and between plants suffering from equal 

 doses of different salts, but thus far it has not been possible to tell whether a 

 plant suffered from a small excess of one salt or from a large excess of another. 



A study of inheritance in garden plants, E. J. Owen (tiew Jersey Stas. 

 Rpt. 1913, pp. 622-629, pi. i).— In continuation of previous work (E. S. R., 30, 

 p. 343) character transmission in a number of bean crosses is discussed and the 

 average plant growth arid yield of fruit in eggplant and okra crosses is given. 

 Data are also given on limitation studies with beans and tomatoes, together 

 with a brief note on tomato novelties. The limitation studies continue to show 

 that the restriction of fruit bearing to one fruit in the parent plant leads to a 

 greater development of blossoms in the progeny. 



[Variety tests at the Edgeley substation], O. A. Thompson and J. H. 

 Sheppeed (North Dakota Sta., Rpt. Edgelcy Suhsta. 1912, pp. .^2-^) .—For 

 several years a number of varieties of apples, plums, cherries, gooseberries, cur- 

 rants, and strawberries have been tested with reference to their general adapta- 

 bility to soil and climatic conditions at the substation. The varieties under 

 observation are here classified with reference to their degree of hardiness. 

 Trials made with different classes of vegetables show that it is possible to grow 

 almost anything in the vegetable line at Edgeley. 



Report of the horticulturist, C. C. Newman {South Carolina Sta. Rpt. 1914, 

 pp. 16-19). — A brief progress report on the woi'k of the horticultural division. 



As a result of the apple breeding work started by the station some ten years 

 ago, more than 500 crosses have been made. Only a few of these trees have 

 fruited thus far and only two crosses have shown any exceptionally desirable 

 characteristics. One of these, Albemarle Pippin crossed on Golden Russet, 

 fruited the past season and appears to be of promise for. the Piedmont region of 

 the South because it ripens very late in the season and is a si^lendid keeper. 



