636 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Tomatoes, II. 1'. Stlckky [iUoryia ,SI(i. Hiil. ll.i {1'J15), pp. 20'J-2J,S, Jigs. 

 i//).— A revision of Bulletin 90 of the station (E. S. K.. 2(5, pp. 640. 048). His- 

 torical references and variety tables are either condensed or omitted in the 

 present bulletin and the descrii)tion8 of varieties are omitted entirely. Some 

 additional data on tests of early varieties, noted in Bulletin 106 of the station 

 (E. S. li., .'i1, \). 4;}S), together with directions for the control of insect pests 

 and fuii^'iis diseases, have been added to bring the subject matter ui) to date. 



Tomato growing' in the South, II. C. Thompson iU. *S'. Dcpt. Ayr., Fanners' 

 Bid. (i'/.i (l!)15). pp. l.i, fujs. 0). — A popular tnsitise on toniat<i culture prepared 

 with special reference to the n(>cds of caiuiing clubs and those who grow toma- 

 toes for home use. It discusses the starting of tomatoes in hotbeds and cold 

 frames, soils and their preparation, manures and fertilizers, planting, cultiva- 

 tion, pruning and staking, rotation, diseases and their control, varieties, cost 

 of growing, yields, and returns. 



Greenhouse tomato investigations, A. G. B. BouQUE'r {Oregon Hta. Jiien. 

 Crop Pest and IJort. lipt. lOl.i-lJ/, pp. 25~3Jf, figs. 3). — A i)rogress reix)rt on the 

 station's investigations with tomatoes (E. S. li., 29, p. 145) in which the results 

 obtainefl from crops produced during the years 1912-1914, inclusive, are 

 discussed. 



The results in general show that tomato varieties differ quite largely in 

 the amount of fruit produced during various stages of the bearing season. In 

 the three years of test Bonny Best, Jewel, Earliana, and Sutton Al in the 

 order named have been the most desirable varieties from the standpoint of 

 early and prolific production. 



Early yields of tomatoes are greatly influenced by pollination. Both hand 

 pollination and shaking the vines resulted in profitable net increases over plants 

 that were left untouched. The total amount of tomatoes for the season is 

 largely decreased w'here no assistance is given in pollinating the vines. 



Actual counts were taken of a large number of flower clusters of various 

 varieties, and it was found that nearly 50 per cent of the blossoms remained 

 unfertilized. The prolific bearing habits of varieties appear to be affected by 

 the number of blossoms ordinarily produced on clusters. Data are given 

 showing the variations in this respect of the varieties tested, together with 

 a general summary of variety characteristics. 



Ringing fruit trees, G. II. Howe {Neiv York State Sti. But. 391 {lOlJf). pp. 

 575-58.i, pi. 1). — In some previous investigations conducted at the station (E. S. 

 R., 19, p. 37) it was found that ringing herbaceous plants was so deleterious 

 to their growth that it could not be advocated for general practice. The 

 object of the experiments here reported was to determine the extent to which 

 fruit trees can be ringed without permanent injury and to what degree the 

 operation induces and stimulates fruitfulness. Apples, pears, plums, and 

 cherries were used in the work which was started in 1910 and carried on during 

 the three succeeding years. 



The results as a whole indicate that under certain conditions ringing may 

 induce and possibly increase fruitfulness of apples but it rarely has these 

 favorable effects on other fruits. The practice of ringing stone fruits should 

 never bo followed, the experiments indicating almost 100 per cent loss in the 

 life of the trees. Only young and very vigorous aiiple trees and possibly now 

 and then pear and cherry trees can survive ringing. There are no regular and 

 successive increases in productiveness and ringing had no apparent influence 

 upon the size, color, or maturity of apples. The general effect of ringing on 

 the roots of trees was to increase their size, and number and to lessen their 

 vigor. The results obtained are not favorable to ringing fruit trees as a 

 general practice. 



