HORTICULTURE. 835 



grees. A list is given of new plums, grapes, raspberries, and strawberries that 

 have been produced in connection with the worlj of breeding hardy fruits and 

 have been sent to the trial stations for testing. 



Pruning-, O. M. Mokkis (Washingtfm 8ta. Popular Bid. 19 {1915), pp. 32, 

 flg&. 42). — In part 1 of this bulletin the author gives directions for pruning 

 various fruit trees, the subject matter being based upon a study of pruning 

 practices employed by the successful fruit growers of the State. Part 2 dis- 

 cusses the fundamental ])rincii)les involved in the more common pruning prac- 

 tices, consideration being given to the influence of pruning on growth, heavy 

 pruning of the top, pruning the roots, pruning trees to shape the top, variety 

 types, pruning to induce fruit production, season of pruning, treatment of 

 wounds, ties, and props. 



Effect of various dressings on pruning -wounds of fruit trees, G. H. Howe 

 (A'eto York State Sta. Bui. 396 {1915), pp. S5-.94).— Experiments were started 

 at the station in 1911 and conducted for four years to determine whether any 

 coverings are necessary for wounds of trees, as well as the effect on the trees 

 of various substances used in treating wounds. The trees used in the experi- 

 ments were apples and peaches and the substances used as coverings were 

 white lead, white zinc, yellow ocher, coal tar, shellac, and avenarius carbo- 

 lineum. The dressings were applied when the pruning was done at different 

 seasons of the year and upon wounds of various ages. 



From the results of this experiment as a whole it is concluded that the 

 dressings commonly applied to pruning wounds retard rather than accelerate 

 the healing of the wounds. The effects are the same whether the dres.sings are 

 applietl when the wounds are made or some weeks later when the cut surface 

 has dried out. The effects of the dressings used are so injurious to peach 

 wood that wounds on peach trees should never be covered. For sprayed 

 orchards at least it appears uuuecessai-y to apply dressings to wounds under 

 four or five in. in diameter to prevent the entrance of fungi. It remains to be 

 proved whether dressings have any real value in covering large wounds. The 

 injury caused by dressings probably offsets or even overbalances any possible 

 protection against decay. 



Of the materials used shellac was the least injurious and seemed to exert a 

 stimulating influence upon the wounds for the first season. Shellac adhered to 

 the wounded surfaces least well of all. Avenarius carbolineum and yellow ochre 

 caused so much injury that they should never be used as dressings. Coal tar 

 in addition to causing injury disappeared rapidly, either through absonotion or 

 evaporation. Tissues injured by using white lead and white zinc practically 

 recovered from the injury by the end of the second season. Of the protective 

 substances used white lead is considered to be the best. 



Pruning wounds need no protection, F. H. Hall {liexo York State Sta^ Bui. 

 396, popular ed. {1915), p. 1). — A popular edition of the above. 



Soils of Massachusetts and Connecticut, with especial reference to apples 

 and peaches, H. J. Wilder {U. S. Dept. Agr. Bui. I40 {1915), pp. 73, pis. 23). — 

 In this bulletin the author gives a general description of the surface features, 

 soil material, and climate in different parts of .southern New England. The 

 development of orchards on suitable soils and the kinds of soil on which 

 several of the different varieties of apples and peaches may be expected to 

 give favorable results are then discussed in some detail. Considerations are 

 given to cultural methods in orchards, the usual type of farm-orchard develop- 

 ment in Massachusetts and in western New York, relative production of apples 

 in southern New England, relation of soil characters to crop and varietal 

 adaptation, the adaptedness of soils to different varieties of apples, classifica- 



