HORTICULTURE. 



837 



had been undisturbed in the various fields from 1 to 30 years, in some cases 

 seeds germinated from the lowest (110 to 120 cm.) layer. 



In order to study this question further, 20 earthen pots containing soil with 

 certain weed seeds were buried in the earth, 10 of them to the depth of 1 meter 

 and 10 to a depth of 50 cm. It is designed to take up one set (2 pots) of these 

 pots each year for 10 years and to determine the number of viable seeds of 

 each kind in each pot. Two sets have been removed. After being buried 2 

 years Anagallis arvensis, Urtica dioica, CapseUa bursa pastoris. Datura stra- 

 monium, and Mercurialis annua do not seem to have lost vitality, while Agro- 

 stemma githago and Dipsacus fuUonum disappeared the first year and Papaver 

 rhosas nearly so. 



In studying the effect of pressure on retarding the germination of these seeds, 

 earthen plates containing soil with the weed seeds were placed one on another 

 with a 2-kg. weight on the top. This pressure materially checked gei-mination, 

 with some variations, but without injuring the viability of the seed, notably 

 that of EuphorUa helioscopia and Plantago lanceolata. 



HOETICXTLTTJIIE. 



Report on the statistics of vineyards, orchards and gardens, and root crops 

 for the season 1913-13, L. H. Stioll {So. Aust. Statis. Dcpf. Bui. 3, 1913, 

 pp, 6).— A statistical report on the area, production, and value of grapes. 

 orchard and small fruits, and vegetables for the season 1912-13. with com- 

 parative data for the 4 previous seasons, and data showing the exiwrt trade in 

 fruits and wine. 



The rational manuring of truck crops, R. Dujiont (La Fumure Raisonn^e 

 des Legumes et des Cultures MaraicMres. Paris [1913], pp. 195, figs. 40).— This 

 is a practical treatise on the use of organic and chemical fertilizers for all 

 classes of triick crops. The introductory chapters deal with plant nutrition, 

 horticultural soils and fertilizers, and the general rules for the use of fertilizers. 

 The succeeding chapters take up the fertilizer treatment of various vegetables 

 when grown both under glass and in the open. 



Investigations on the determination of plant nutrients removed from the 

 soil by crops of peas and beans. Kochs {Ber. K. Gdrt. Lehranst. Dahlem, 1912. 

 pp. 115-125) .—The author here reports an analytical study of some pea and bean 

 crops with special reference to their draft on the various plant nutrients of 

 the soil. The results are presented in tabular form and discussed. 



[Notes on the occurrence of parthenogenesis in various plants], G. Hoster- 

 MANN (Ber. K. Gdrt. Lehranst. Dahlem, 1912, pp. 85-107, figs. 12) .—The author 

 here reports his observations and experiments relative to the occurrence of 

 parthenocarpic fruits in pumpkins, melons, tomatoes, peppers, pears, and 

 persimmons. 



Fruit growing, its history and practice, H. Schttlz (Der Ohsfbau, seine 

 Oeschichte nnd Praxis. In Das Leben der Pflanse.—Abt. IT, Die Pflanzcn und 

 der Mensch, Vol. L Stuttgart, 1913, pp. 371-468, pis. 4, figs. 27).— An encyclo- 

 pedic treatise on the history of fruit growing and practices employed in Ger- 

 many in growing fruits and nuts. Consideration is given to the development of 

 both formal fruit gardens and commercial orchards. 



Fruit farming: Practical and scientific, C. H. Hoopeb et al. {London. 1912. 

 pp. 130, figs. 67).— A practical manual of information on the culture of orchard 

 and small fruits. The subject matter is based upon up-to-date practices in fruit 

 growing countries. A number of special articles by various authorities are 

 included. 



