HORTICULTUBK 339 



an3 uses. Data are also given showing the influence of different soils on the 

 chemical composition of the root. 



Tomato variations induced by culture, T. H. White (Maryland Sta. Bui. 

 173, pp. 121-138, figs. 5). — Some experiments conducted during the past few 

 years with reference to the effect of pruning, feeding, and temperature on varia- 

 tion in plants are reported. They include a study of the effect of excessive 

 amounts of nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash, separately and in combination, 

 on the variation of tomatoes and beans ; studies of the effect of temperature on 

 Acme tomato variation, and of the effect of pruning on sweet peas and toma- 

 toes ; a study of the effect of dried blood, dissolved phosphate rock, sulphate 

 of potash, separately and in combination, and of iron filings on Red Cherry 

 tomatoes; and a study of the effect of cross-pollination upon well-fed and 

 starved plants. 



The following general conclusions are derived from the investigations as a 

 whole : " From the work done it would api)ear that only one of the treatments, 

 that of the fertilizers on Red Cherry tomato, made any permanent changes in 

 the character of the plants worked with. There can be no doubt, however, 

 that in the case of Red Cherry, treated with dried blood, there is permanent 

 variation to the third generation. Mutilation as in the pruning, also starva- 

 tion and high feeding, as in the well-fed v. starved, do not seem to have had 

 any permanent effect. In following this work it is evident that there is better 

 control of conditions when plants are grown in pots. In the outdoor work 

 where rainfall is variable, control is difficult." 



Orchard management, U. P. Hedrick (New York State Sta. Giro. 2Jf, pp. 

 12). — A popular discussion of the general principles of orchard management. 



Planting trees with dynamite, A. J. Farley (Proc. N. J. State Hort. Soc, 

 38 (1912), pp. 83-88). — The first year's results from experiments conducted 

 with apple and peach trees at the New Jersey Stations are reported. 



With peach trees planted at the Vineland substation the average growth of 

 the dynamited trees the first season was 794 in., as compared with an average 

 growth of 655 in. for trees planted in the ordinary way. In all cases the 

 ground was thoroughly plowed before planting. In another test in the same 

 orchard there was a difference ranging from 652 in., or over 54 ft, of growth 

 to 1,397 in., or over 116 ft., of growth per tree in favor of dynamiting. 



Similar results were obtained with peaches at New Brunswick, whereas the 

 apple trees showed practically no difference in the amount of growth between 

 the trees planted with dynamite and those planted in the ordinary way. In all 

 the tests made the percentage of trees living through the first season was prac- 

 tically the same under both methods of planting. The cost of planting was 

 about 5 cts. greater per tree for the dynamited trees. Although no conclusions 

 are drawn from the 1 year's results, the author is of the opinion that the use of 

 dynamite for planting fruit trees is worthy of a thorough trial. 



Horticultural research. — III, The action of grass on trees, S. Pickering 

 (Sci. Prog. Twentieth Cent., 7 (1913), No. 28, pp. 490-503, pis. 5, fig. 1).—A 

 popular discussion of the results secui-ed in the author's investigations relative 

 to the effect produced by growing grass above the roots of fruit trees (E. S. R., 

 28, p. 640). 



Smudging costs, T. R. Woodbridge (Pacific Rural Press, 85 (1913), No. 21, 

 pp. 588, 589). — Cost data are given for smudging operations conducted in 3 

 California citrus groves during the winter of 1912-13. 



The setting and dropping of fruits (New York State Sta. Oirc. 22, pp. 12). — 

 This circular comprises a popular discussion of the various factors influencing 

 the setting of fruit buds and the dropping of immature fruits. 



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