1020] HpRTICUI/rURR. 143 



just as tlipir buds were l)urstiii>;; and most (tf the other slightly tondcr 

 deciduous specie's before their buds start growth. 



The station's experience has sliown that in transplanting iruit trees, the 

 roots generally should be set no deeper than they stood in tlie nursery; espe- 

 cially if the trees are set in the spring, at which time the soil is slow in warming 

 to the depth of the lower roots. The tendency of trees in the orchards of this 

 region t(» lean toward the northeast may be overcome in part by proper orienta- 

 tion of the tree when it is set in the orchard. In planting the tree, the side 

 that grows lieaviest in the nursery should be set toward the southwest. The 

 author recoumiends careful planting In holes sulliciently large enough to accom- 

 modate the main roots without their being bent or twisted. Fibrous roots 

 should be pruned away before planting and the tops of young fniit trees should 

 be pruned back, the degree of pruning differing with the character and habit 

 of growth of the species. The roots of fruit trees should not be allowed to 

 freeze in handling, as it has been found that they may be injured even by a 

 few degrees of frost. 



Attention is called to the fact that garden vegetables such as cabbage, toma- 

 toes, etc., will endure lower temperatures and greater extremes of drought with- 

 out injury after transplanting if grown slowly in the forcing bed. Such vege- 

 tables grown in a seed bed of sandy soil, low in plant food, watered sparingly, 

 and ventilated freely, have large fibrous root systems, short thick, firm woody 

 stems, and a concentrated sap of low freezing point ; vegetables grown in a 

 seed bed of rich soil, highly manured, abuud.-mtly watered, and in a high tem- 

 perature with little ventilation have scanty root systems, long stems, luxuriant 

 leaves, succulence, and a less concentrated sap of higher freezing point. 



f Report, on horticultural investigations at the Maryhmd Experiment 

 Station], W. R. Baixakd, E. C. Auciitek, T. H. White, and A. White ( Mary- 

 land Sta. Rpt. 1919, pp. XXVI-XXXVI).—A test of the KnifTiii, umbrella, fan, 

 and Munson systems of pruning and training grapes begun in 1914 has shown 

 that any of these systems are satisfactory if properly carried out. Several 

 varieties and hybrids of the A'^inifera grapes have been under test since 1914. 

 These grajies are grafted on jihylloxera resistant roots and are laid down and 

 covered with earth for winter protection. Some of the vines have died, others 

 have made little growth, and a few are vigorous, although little fruit has b(>en 

 produced thus far. Of various stocks tested for Delaware grapes, the best 

 growth has been made on the Clinton stock. As a result of grape breeding 

 Investigations SOO seedlings have been secured, of which approximately 4.'50 are 

 fruiting. The most promising cro.sses are WinchellXWorden and Diamond X 

 Clinton. Promising parents in this work are lona, Winchell, and Diamond. 



In a varitMy test of quinces, the Orange variety has been most resistant to 

 fire blight, which is the greatest single factor in the failure of quince bushes to 

 live and thrive. Preliminary observations indicate that the tarnished i)lant bug 

 !s largely resiMinsible for twig infections. 



An attemjtt to produce uniform stock for apples by propagating varieties 

 from cuttings has been un.successful thus far. Breeding exi)eriments are being 

 conducted with the view of producing good varieties of early apples with good 

 red color and shipping qualities and also good varieties of pears resistant to 

 blight. Thus far about 2r)0 apple seefllings have fruited, of which l.T are prom- 

 ising enough to propagate. Among some 100 pear seedlings that have fruited, 

 a few are i)roniising with ref«'rence to blight resistance, although the quality of 

 the fruit has not been fully determined. 



Experiments in nut culture have shown that most of tlu> southern varieties 

 of pecans are not hardy enough for Maryland conditions. Hardy types were 



