1917] HORTICULTURE. 41 



growing these crops. Analyses secured indicate that the alkali content of the 

 soil to a depth of 2 ft. was reduced only 0.002 per cent and that the humus 

 and volatile content of the soil was increased only 0.03 per cent in the cover 

 crop orchards. Observations relative to the relation of winter injurj' to rosette 

 indicate thnt winter injury of the trunk and larger limbs does not as a rule 

 occur in rosetted orchards but is most frequent in those free from that trouble. 



Work upon the relation of soil moisture to the keeping quality of Jonathan 

 and Home Beauty apples showed very little difference in the date of ripening 

 upon plats which received 12, 9, and 6.6 per cent of water, respectively. The 

 large-sized fruits of any variety ripened first regardless of the moisture 

 conditions. 



A study of orchard cover crops has shown that peas and vetch produce a 

 slightly better physical condition of the soil than such crops as oats, wheat, 

 and rye. In some experiments in the renovation of prune orchards in Clarke 

 County it has been found tiiat great improvement in the production and 

 quality of prunes was secured liy the use of lime and nitrogen fertilizers. 



In connection with a variety test of potatoes it was found that the character 

 of the seed storage has much to do with the stand of plants produced. 



Hotbeds and cold frames, T. F. Limbocker {Colorado Sta. Bui. 221 {1917), 

 pp. 8, figs. 4)- — Popular directions are given for the construction and manage- 

 ment of hotbeds and cold frames. 



[Experiments with tomatoes and cucumbers] (Expt. and Research Sta., 

 Waltham Cross, Aiin. Rpi., 2 {1016). pp. 7-28). — The results are given for one 

 season of fertilizer, management, and cultural experiments with tomatoes and 

 cucumbers in the greenliouses at the Experimental and Research Station of 

 the Nursery and Market Garden Industries" Development Society, Limited, 

 Waltham Cross, Herts, England. 



Fruit growing' for amateurs, H. H. Thomas and J. Gaedner {London aiid 

 N'etc York: Cassell d Co., Ltd., 1916, pp. VII +152, figs. 129).— A popular treatise 

 on the culture, management, and home conservation of orchard and small fruits. 



Fruit varieties for Maine, B. S. Brown {Univ. Maine Ext. Bui. Ill {1917), 

 pp. 19). — This comprises a varietal list of orchard and small fruits recom- 

 mended for planting in Maine. 



A valuable unpublished work on pomology, P. L. Ricker {Science, n. scr., 

 44 {1916), No. 1124. PP- 62-64). — The author here announces the donation by 

 the grandchildren of Elizabeth (Coxe) McMurtrie to the library of the U. S. 

 Department of Agriculture of a bound collection of colored drawings of the 

 fruits that were illustrated by woodcuts in A "View of the Cultivation of Fruit 

 Trees of America, published in 1817 by William Coxe. The drawings are accom- 

 panied by the bound manuscript upon which the published work was based, to 

 which have been added numerous notes intended for a second edition. 



The pruning manual, L. H. Bailey {Neiv York: The Macmillan Co., 1916, 18. 

 ed., rev., pp. XIII -{-407. figs. 381). — The present edition of this work (E. S. R., 

 11, p. 152) has been revised to include the results of recent investigations on 

 the subject of pruning. The author points out, however, that very few of the 

 pruning experiments in different places are really comparable with each other, 

 and do not warrant the relinquishment of much of the traditional practice 

 which is often the result of accumulated experience. 



Pruning problems in the Hood River Valley, G. G. Brown {Oregon Sta. 

 Bui. 141 {1917). pp. 48-54, figs. 2). — A discussion of pruning practices with 

 special reference to the Hood River Valley and based upon pruning investiga- 

 tions conducted at the Oregon Station. 



Infiueiice of commercial fertilizer upon the bearing apple tree, C. I. Lewis 

 and G. G. Brown {Oregon Sta. Bui. I4I {1917), pp. 37-47, figs. 2).— In the pre- 



