1920] HORTICULTURE. 37 



Some experiments with tomatoes, A. J. Olney {Kentucky Sta. Bui. 218 

 (1918), pp. 149-159. pis. 6). — The results are given of a series of experiments 

 with tomatoes started in the spring of 1916 to determine the effect of various 

 methods of pruning and staking on tlie yield, earliness of ripening, and size of 

 the individual fruits. Some data were also secured relative to methods of 

 raising plants, planting distances, proper length of stakes, etc. 



Summing up the results of three seasons' work, tlie author found that pot- 

 grown plants were much more productive than flat-grown plants. Staking 

 and pruning reduces the yield of marketable fruit per plant, but increases the 

 yield per acre because of the the greater number of plants that may be set. 

 Generally speaking, tlie yield per plant is in direct proportion to the number of 

 bearing stems. On the whole, pruning to two stems lias given the best re- 

 sults. 



Pruning increased the size of the individual fruits, and pruned and staked 

 tomatoes ripened approximately one week earlier tlian those untrained. Plants 

 trained to two stems, set 2 by 4 ft. apart, yielded less per plant but much more 

 per acre than similar plants set 4.5 by 5 ft. apart and also more per acre than 

 untrained plants set 4..5 by 5 ft. apart. A range in length of stake from 4 ft. 

 2 in. to 5 ft. 6 in. has little effect on the total yields. 



The author concludes that it does not pay to stake and prune tomatoes for 

 the canning factory, although it may pay in the home garden or in very in- 

 tensive trucking areas. The cost of stakes, the additional labor involved, and 

 the greater number of plants required may be the limiting factors for profitable 

 staking and pruning. 



[Report on fertilizer experiments with tomatoes], G. T. McNess (Texas 

 Sto. Bui. 25If (1919), pp. S-10). — Tabular data are given on a 4-year experi- 

 ment conducted at the Nacogdoches substation. Cottonseed meal, acid phos- 

 phate, sulphate of potash, nitrate of soda, and barnyard manure were used in 

 the test. 



Averaging the results for the 4-year period, 20 loads of stable manure gave 

 much better yields and much greater profit than any other fertilizer used. 

 Combinations of cottonseed meal with acid phosphate or with sulphate of potash 

 gave much better results than when any of these three ingredients were used 

 alone. An application of 200 lbs. of acid phosphate and 200 lbs. of cottonseed 

 meal per acre gave a marked increase in yield and value after deducting the 

 cost of the fertilizer. Two hundred lbs. of cottonseed meal and 50 lbs. of 

 sulphate of potash per acre also gave good results. 



Analyses of materials sold as insecticides and fungicides during 1919, 

 C. S. Cathcart and R. L. Willis (New Jersey Stas. Bui. 339 (1919), pp. 5-21).— 

 Results are given of analyses of Paris gi'een, lead arsenate, Bordeaux mixture, 

 lime-sulphur solution and substitutes, soluble sulphur compounds, nicotin 

 preparations, and miscellaneous materials sold in New Jersey during 1919. 



[Spray calendars for orchard fruits] (Netv Jersey Stas. Circs. 116 (1920), 

 pp. If, figs. 3; 111 (1920), pp. 4, figs. 3; 118 (1920), pp. 3, fig. 1; 119 (1920), pp. 

 3, fig. 1; 120 (1920), pp. 3, fig. 1). — A set of spray calendars for apples and 

 quinces, peaches, pears, plums, and cherries, respectively. The present calen- 

 dars liave been adopted by the entomologist, plant pathologist, and acting 

 horticulturist of the New Jersey Stations as being the most satisfactory for 

 that State and supersede similar earlier circulars. 



United States export trade in apples ( U. S. Dept. Com., Coin. Rpts., No. 50 

 (1920). pp. 1201-1213). — The yearly exports and average annual prices of 

 dried and green or ripe apples are given for the period of 1913-1919, inclusive, 

 also the variations in quantity, value, and average price in the export trade 



