1916] HOBTICULrURE. 235 



narrower than the standard crates or to furnish a ventilating partition 

 through the center of the standard crates. The narrow crates gave somewhat 

 better results as to keeping quality than the ventilated crates. The limit of 

 keeping quality for celery packed in standard crates and stored under the 

 best conditions is given as 2.5 or 3 months, as compared with at least 4 months 

 for the small or ventilated crates. Aside from their superiority as regards 

 keeping quality small crates are also recommended because of their ease of 

 handling and greater durability in transportation. 



Temperature readings taken in five cars of celery en route to market show 

 that there is quite a difference in temperature at different heights in the car, 

 both in the ends and in the center. There is also quite a difference in tempera- 

 ture between the ends and center of the car and between the air and celery 

 temperature at the same location. The temperature records are so similar to 

 those secured with fruit in transit that the author believes precooling will prove 

 just as valuable in preventing decay in the shipment of vegetables as in the 

 shipment of fruit. 



The temperature records secured during the past two years and observa- 

 tions in a large number of storage houses during the past three years have led 

 the author to conclude that celery is never inactive while in storage. Normal 

 maturing processes go on in storage even at a temperature of 31 or 32° until 

 the celery is ripe. Decomposition then commences and never stops until the 

 celery is completely decomposed. Where the temperature is maintained be- 

 tween 30 and 32° the rate of ripening and decomposition is slow. With higher 

 temperatures or with fluctuating temperatures the storage period is much 

 shorter. 



Fertilizer experiments with kale, T. C. Johnson (Proc. Soc. Hort. Sci., 11 

 (1914), PP- 18-24). — A progress report on experiments under way at the Virginia 

 Truck Experiment Station (E. S. R., 30, p. 532) to determine the best methods 

 of treating truck lands in the vicinity to maintain their fertility. 



An investigation in tomato breeding, P. S. Reeves (Proc. Soc. Hort. Sci., 

 11 (1914), pp. 24-26). — A brief statement of results secured the first year in an 

 attempt to cross the tomato with Solanum balbisii to get a frost-resistant 

 tomato suitable for conditions in Ontario. 



Study of the inheritance of size and productiveness in pedigreed strains 

 of tomatoes, C. E. Myees (Proc. Soc. Hort. Sci., 11 (1914), pp. 26-33). — Initial 

 selections from a number of varieties of tomatoes were made in 1911 with the 

 view of studying the inheritance of size and productiveness. The present paper 

 comprises a study by the statistical method of a number of plant selections 

 within the variety Earliana. Although the experiment has not been conducted 

 sufficiently long to warrant definite conclusions, it is believed that the data 

 presented indicate the feasibility of improving the tomato crop by careful 

 selection. 



See also a previous note (E. S. R., 34, p. 146). 



Horticultural investigations, C. I. Lewis (Oregon Sta., Bien. Rpt. Hood 

 River Sta., 1913-14, pp. 25-33). — Notes are given on some orchard fertilizer 

 experiments in which the ingredients are being applied both in the dry form and 

 in solution. No definite conclusions are drawn from the results, which repre- 

 sent only one year's work. The data thus far secured indicate, however, that 

 orchard trees may be benefited by spraying with certain fertilizer solutions. 

 In one experiment, here noted, spraying with a solution of nitrate of soda and 

 caustic soda resulted in a better color of foliage, as well as a better growth of 

 fruit and wood, than on plats where nitrate of soda was broadcasted dry or 

 sprayed on the ground in solution. An increased yield of fruit and a decrease in 

 the number of the smaller apples were also observed on the trees sprayed with 



