HORTICULTURE. 437 



varietal characters, value for human food, and botanical names. Notes are also 

 given on the various introductions of D. lahlab made by the Office of Foreign 

 Seed and Plant Introduction from 1899 to 1914. A bibliography of cited litera- 

 ture is appended. 



The bonavist bean is of value both for its edible pods and as an ornamental. 

 The authors I'ecommend that it be generally grown from Maryland and Ken- 

 tucky southward. For planting in corn, it has about the same value as cowpeas. 



The Bermuda onion, F. W. Mally (Texas Dept. Agr. Bui. 46 (1915), pp. 

 56). — This comprises a guide to the culture of Bermuda onions in south Texas. 

 In addition to a detailed account of methods of culture, harvesting, and market- 

 ing, considerable information is given relative to various soil types in south 

 Texas and soil improvement by means of cover crops and organic and inorganic 

 fertilizers. 



Peas as an orchard green manure and cover crop, F. Gaecia (New Mexico 

 Sta. Bill. 99 (1915), pp. 21, figs. 6). — An account of the use of various kinds 

 of peas for green manure and cover crops, based upon orchard cover crop experi- 

 ments conducted by the station from 1911 to 1914, inclusive, the results of which 

 are here noted. 



The experiments show that excellent results can be had with such varieties of 

 peas as the Black-eyed Marrowfat, White-eyed Marrowfat, San Luis Valley, Colo- 

 rado Stock, Golden Vine, and sweet peas. The sweet pea vines proved to be more 

 resistant to cold during the winter. The temperatures which killed from 3 to 5 

 in. of growth of the vines of other peas did not materially injure the sweet peas. 

 There was no material difference in the resistibility to cold of the different varie- 

 ties of the field peas tried or in the amount of vine growth produced. All varie- 

 ties of field peas planted during the fall months proved to be too tender and 

 succulent for the extreme temperatures during the winter. Plantings made dur- 

 ing December to March, inclusive, were not injured by any of the low tempera- 

 tures during that period, and all vines from such plantings grew large enough 

 for plowing under by May 15. A very dense vine growth was secured by seeding 

 broadcast at the rate of 65 lbs. of seed per acre. Where irrigation is practiced 

 the land should be irrigated immediately after the seed is sown to produce 

 germination, and the vines should be irrigated when they are plowed under to 

 cause the quick decay of the vegetable matter. 



The top-working- of fruit trees, H. Thoknbeb (Brit. Columbia Dept. Agr., 

 Hort. Branch Circ. 26 (1912), pp. 8, figs. 6). — This comprises practical direc- 

 tions on top-grafting fruit trees. 



Varieties of fruit recommended for commercial planting, compiled by 

 R. M. WiNSLOW (Brit. Columhia Dept. Agr., Hart. Branch Circ. 29 (1912), pp. 

 5). — This comprises a list of varieties of orchard and small fruits recommended 

 for commercial planting in different sections of British Columbia. 



[Varieties of fruit at the Agronomic Experiment Station, Santiago de las 

 Vegas, Havana], H. A. Van Hermann (Estac. Expt. Agron. [Cuba'\, Informe 

 An., 3 (1909-1914), pp. 33-51, pis. 2). — Data are given on varieties of temperate 

 and tropical fruits growing on the station grounds. 



Methods of fruit picking and handling, E. Smith (Brit. Columbia Dept. 

 Agr., Hort. Branch Circ. 21 (1912), pp. 7, fig. 1).— A discussion of methods of 

 handling fruit, including some data on fruit handling investigations conducted 

 by the British Columbia Department of Agriculture. 



The author finds that at present an average of over 26 per cent of British 

 Columbia apples are injured through careless handling in the orchards, and 

 that over 60 per cent received bruises or punctures before reaching the market. 

 Decay in soft fruits, such as peaches, plums, cherries, etc., has been reduced 

 by careful handling from as high as 41 per cent to 2 per cent during 12 days in 



