540 EXPEEIMENT STATION EECORD. 



substancs in the leaves, the author points out that the value of these elements 

 in the fertilization of fruit trees should not be disregarded. The importance 

 of these elements is apt to be more noticeable as the amounts present approach 

 the minimum limit. On the other hand, no injurious effect on fiowers and fruit 

 formation was noted from the presence of a high content of potash, phosphoric 

 acid, and lime. 



The work of the Umatilla Experiment Farm in 1912, R. W. Allen (?7. S. 

 Dept. Agr., Bur. Plant Indus. Circ. 129, pp. 21-32, figs. //).— The work of the 

 Umatilla Experiment Farm is mainly horticultural. The experiments in prog- 

 ress during 1912, which are here briefly described, consisted in the testing of 

 fruit varieties and methods of production ; the identification and testing of 

 varieties of garden and truck crops; experiments with methods of increasing 

 the supply of organic matter in the soil, including tests of several green manure 

 crops; variety tests for numerous hardy shrubs and trees suitable for orna- 

 mental purposes and as windbreaks; and tests of different irrigation methods. 



The selective improvement of the Lima bean, G. W. Shaw (California 

 Sta. Bui. 238, pp. 581-590).— In continuation of a previous report (E. S. R., 26, 

 p. 539) data are given showing the performance record in 1911 and 1912 of 

 several strains of Lima beans which were selected for increased yield. 



The results of the work as a whole have shown that higher yielding types of 

 Lima beans than those now used by growers may be obtained simply by seed 

 selection but better by plant selection in the field. During the 4-year period 

 1909-1912 an average increased yield of 19.89 per cent has been secured with the 

 station's selected strains. One of these strains gave an increase of 160 per cent. 

 In addition to the factor of increased yield it is believed there is a definite 

 possibility of improvement in earliness, hardiness, alkali resistance, and quality, 

 especially if the individual plant is made the unit of selection and the progeny of 

 each plant is tested separately. 



The culture of tomatoes in California with, special reference to their dis- 

 eases, S. S. RooERS {California Sta. Bui. 239, pp. 591-617, figs. 13).— The first 

 part of this bulletin discusses tomato culture with reference to seed selection, 

 seed beds, field culture, harvesting, market requirements, cost of production and 

 profits, and varieties. The various diseases of the tomato are then considered 

 relative to their appearance, causes, and control. The bulletin concludes with a 

 brief account of the development of the tomato industry in the United States 

 and in California. 



Tomato culture in Idaho, W. H. Wicks (Idaho Sta. Bui. 76, pp. 5^, figs. 

 13). — This-bulletin contains the results of 3 years' experimental work in tomato 

 culture at the station, together with detailed cultural suggestions based on this 

 work as well as on information secured from tomato growers and canning com- 

 panies of the State. 



Experiments were started in the spring of 1910 to determine the best methods 

 of planting, cultivating, pruning, training, and marketing the tomato under local 

 conditions. Sparks Earliana, New Stone, and Dwarf Champion varieties were 

 used in the work. Some of the tomatoes were staked, others were grown on 

 trellis, and still others were left untrained on the ground. In each of these 

 divisions plants were pruned to 1, 2, and 3 stems, and checks were left unpruned. 

 None of the plants was topped. 



The hotbed method of raising plants was the most economical, and was 

 otherwise satisfactoiy, the average cost of producing enough plants for 1 acre 

 by this method being $9.3.5. The average cost per acre for planting was .$7.27. 

 The cost of staking, including stakes and labor, was $42.57 per acre and the cost 

 of trellising was $70.58 per acre. 



