742 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. . [Vol. 43 



parents, although not always the high yielding parent. Qualities other than 

 yield that are present in the crosses are marked increase in imniber of fruits, 

 smoothness, and earliness. 



The results secured for individual years from different strains indicate that 

 single-year tests have little value. The high and low yielding strains of 1915, 

 a wet, cold year, reversed their position in 1916, a hot, dry season. 



The author states that the wilt- resistant strains of tomatoes originated by 

 the U. S. Department of Agriculture in cooperation with the Maryland College 

 and Station have given excellent results. Attention is called to the fact that 

 these wilt-resistant strains are not immune to other tomato diseases like the 

 black shank, leaf blight, etc. 



Profitable tomato fertilizers, J. T. Rosa, je. {Missouri Sta. Bui. 160 {1920), 

 pp. 12, figs. 2). — The results are given of commercial fertilizer tests conducted 

 in cooperation with 10 growers, 7 of whom- were located on typical Ozark soils. 

 Different commercial fertilizers and mixtures were compared with stable ma- 

 nure as affecting the yield and time of maturity of the tomato crop. 



Both complete fertilizer and a mixed fertilizer containing no potash produced 

 a marked increase in yields. The percentage of increase was greater on the 

 poorer soils. Acid phosphate aloue produced a good increase in yield, but nitrate 

 of soda alone and sulphate of potash alone did not give a large increase, and 

 in some cases decreased the yield through plant injury. 



Stable manure and poultry manure weve excellent fertilizers for tomatoes, 

 but did not stimulate early maturity so well as the 4.6:8:7 and 5:8:0 com- 

 mercial fertilizers. Both the mixed fertilizers and acid phosphate alone gave 

 a striking increase in the amount of early fruit, the plants reaching quantity 

 production four weeks earlier than on the unfertilized check plats. 



In view of these tests, the use of at least 250 lbs. per acre of a commercial 

 fertilizer analyzing 3 or 4 per cent nitrogen and 10 to 12 per cent phosphorus is 

 recommended. 



Fruits, trees, and shrubs for Iowa planting, S. A. Beach {loioa State Col. 

 Agr. Ext. Bui. 27 (1918), pp. 4). — This comprises a variety list of orchard and 

 small fruits, trees, and ornamental shrubs suitable for planting in different parts 

 of Iowa. 



Fruit-breediiig investigations, B. T. P. Bakker and G. T. Spinks (Univ. 

 Bristol, Ann. Rpt. Agr. and Uort. Research Sta., 1919, pp. 76-84). — A progress 

 report on breeding investigations with apples, plums, cherries, currants, goose- 

 berries, raspberries, and strawberries, being conducted at Long Ashton, Bristol 

 (E. S. R., 37, p. 646), including notes on crosses thus far made. 



Factors governing fruit bud formation, B. T. P. Bakkeb and A. H. Lees 

 (Univ. Bristol, Ann. Rpt. Agr. and liort. Research Sta., 1919, pp. 85-98). — 

 Continuing a previous paper dealing especially with the influence of pruning on 

 fruit bud formation (E. S. R., 37, p. 646), the authors here present the results 

 of observations on the normal growth of apples and pears, and also discuss the 

 effect of notching and ringing on apple trees. 



It is concluded that the nornuil growth of buds from a last year's shoot is 

 influenced by the following factors : Temperature, inhibition of some substance 

 from the first bud to grow that flows backward and checks all the other buds 

 (here called the " Loeb effect"), bud strength, root action, and variety in- 

 fluence. 



Ringing experiments were conducted in May, June, and July. The results in- 

 dicate that ringing causes stimulation of dormant buds on bare wood below, 

 and that the stimulation acts as long a's callus has failed to bridge the wound. 

 The later the rings are made, the less will dormant buds be stimulated. Ringing 

 in July is dangerous, owing to the risk of canker. 



