234 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOED. [Vol.35 



It was found that the varieties grown under field conditions exhibited a higher 

 percentage of sterile spikelets than where the plants were grown 6 in. apart 

 each way as under the centgener method. The average number of sterile spike- 

 lets in 25 spikes of each variety and the percentage to the whole number 

 of spikelets were determined for 80 beardless and 108 bearded varieties of 

 wheat. The average percentage of sterile spikelets in the bearded varieties 

 was found to be 24.1 per cent, while the beardless averaged 17.8 per cent. 

 Only 20 of the 80 beardless varieties had more than 15 per cent of sterile spike- 

 lets, while not a single variety of bearded wheat had less than 17 per cent. 

 Forty-five of the 108 bearded varieties had 25 per cent or more sterile spikelets, 

 while of the SO beardless varieties only 2 had 25 per cent. 



A study of a bearded and a beardless variety planted at 7-day intervals from 

 September 17 to October 22 on fertilized and unfertilized soil showed that the 

 earlier planting, regardless of soil fertilization, had a higher percentage of 

 sterile spikelets than the later seeding. In this case also the bearded variety 

 had the higher percentage of sterile spikelets. 



Two varieties of wheat fertilized with different combinations and quantities 

 of plant food exhibited considerable variation in the sterility of the spikelets. 

 Phosphoric acid and potash used singly developed a higher percentage of sterile 

 spikelets than nitrogen where two of the plant-food elements were used in com- 

 bination. Nitrogen and potash showed the smallest percentage and phosphoric 

 acid and potash the highest. The untreated plats were comparatively very low 

 in the percentage of sterile spikelets produced. 



Correlation studies indicated that the longer the spike the greater the number 

 of sterile spikelets is likely to be. 



HORTICULTURE. 



Horticultural investigations. — A retrospect, L. C. Corbett {Proc. Soc. Hort. 

 Sei., 11 {1914), PP- 64-70). — A short retrospect of horticultural investigations in 

 the United States. The various lines of endeavor are grouped into the follow- 

 ing general classes and discussed : Theoretical considerations, systematic stud- 

 ies of horticultural groups, variety tests, descriptive expositions, surveys of a 

 statistical or economic nature, and special industrial problems. 



Some problems connected with killing by low temperature, W. H. Chand- 

 ler {Proc. Soc. Hort. Sci., 11 {1914), pp. 56-63).— A discussion of the cause and 

 nature of killing of plant tissue by low temperature, with special reference to 

 injury to fruit trees. A bibliography of cited literature is included. 



Hotbeds and cold frames, C. S. Adams {Kentucky Sta. Circ. 11 {1916), pp. 

 S-22, figs. 13). — Popular directions are given for the construction and manage- 

 ment of hotbeds and cold frames. 



Spraying calendar, E. P. Taylor and M. A. Willis {Idaho Sta. Circ. 1 {1916), 

 folio).— This calendar contains directions for the control of the more important 

 insect pests and plant diseases, together with formulas for the preparation of 

 the principal sprays. 



The farm vegetable garden, A. G. B. Bouquet {Oregon Sta., Bien. Rpt. Hood 

 River Sta., 1913-14, pp. 5S-S9).— Practical suggestions are given for the con- 

 struction and management of a hotbed, together with suggestions relative to 

 the production of various vegetables including varieties recommended for 

 general use and for canning. 



Preliminary report on celery storage investigations, H. C. Thompson {Proc. 

 Soc. Hort. Set., 11 {1914), pp. 10-18).— A test of different types of crates as 

 infiuencing the keeping quality of stored celery indicates that in order to 

 lengthen the storage period for celery it is desirable either to use crates much 



