634 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



"The percentage of material matter (ash), ether extract, and crude fiber in 

 the dry matter progressive!}' decreases. The percentage of sugars also de- 

 creases, but much more rapidly during the early stages of development than 

 after the ' milk ' stage, from which time on the decrease is very slight. The 

 percentage of protein in the dry matter decreases slightly until about the milk 

 stage and then begins to increase, the final matured sample usually showing a 

 higher percentage than the very Immature ones. 



" The actual quantity of all these materials in the kernels increases during 

 each successive period of growth, with the exception of sugars, of which there 

 is an actual decrease as the kernels develop, undoubtedly by reason of their 

 conversion into reserve starch. The carbohydrate-protein ratio is at first 

 greater and then diminishingly less in the developing kernels than in the ' mold ' 

 or pericarp material into wliich the endosperm material is filled. The observetl 

 changes in composition of the entire kernel are <lue, in part at least, to changes 

 in the relative proportions of endosperm, pericarp, and germ, these being parts 

 of the kernel which possess entirely different functions, and correspondingly 

 different chemical composition." 



On the effect of using many parallel plats in field experiments. O. de 

 Vries (Teysmannia, 26 {1915), Xo. 8-9, pp. i65-Jf74). — This article discusses 

 the use of replicate plats in reducing the probable error in experimentation. 



HORTICTJLTUIIE. 



Report of horticulturist, C. C. Newman (i<outh Carolitw Sta. Rpt. 1915, pp. 

 13-20). — A liriof progress report on the work of the horticultural division. 



Some data were secure<l in connection with the apple lireeding work (E. S. 

 R.. 32. p. 538) which show that apples from certain trees of standard varieties 

 may keep better and remain firm and crisp much k)nger than apples from other 

 trees of the same variety. In the tests here reportetl two boxes of apples from 

 each of three distinct types of the Black Twig variety and also two boxes of 

 Kinnard apples were gathered from two distinct types of this variety. The 

 fruit was wrapped in paper, place<l in boxes, and storefl away in a cool cellar. 

 The apples were carefully Inspected and repacked every 30 days beginning on 

 December 15. On May 1 one type of the Black Twig showe<l 3 per cent loss, 

 the second type 40 per cent loss, and the third type 14 per cent loss. Of the 

 two types of Kinnard, one was in perfect condition on December 1.5 and the 

 other showed a loss of 2 per cent. On February 1.5 the first type showed 13 per 

 cent loss and the s«x'ond type 38 per cent loss. Work is xmder way to deter- 

 mine whether the.se particular characteristics will be inherittnl. A record is 

 given of the yield of eight Kinnard trees for the 6-year i)eriod, 1909 to 1914. 

 The trees were all the same age. being six years old when the test was begun 

 and growing under similar conditions. Certain of these trees were found to 

 fruit regularly while other trees of the .same variety fruited only every other 

 year. 



In the work of testing fruit varieties quite a number of varieties growing in 

 orchards have been collected from all parts of tlie State. Some of these 

 varieties which appear to be especially valuable are being tested at the branch 

 stations. 



The breeding and selection work with Irish potatoes was continued. By select- 

 ing different strains of the varieties giving the best results for the second or 

 fall crop the station now has a number of types well adapted for growing in 

 the late summer and early fall. The strain of Lookout Mountain previously 

 selected for its keeping qualities under ordinary storage (E. S. K.. 32. p. .538) 

 gave good results during the past .seiis(ni, 98 per cent of the tubers plantinl 



