EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 737 



HORTICULTUEE. 



Hotbed eonstniction, C. B. Spbague (Washington Sta. Popular Bui. 9S 

 {1916), pp. 3-15, figs. 5). — Practical directions are given for tlie construction 

 and management of liotbeds and cold frames, together with some data on tem- 

 perature tests of hotbeds under different methods of handling the manure and 

 covering the frame. 



The greatest variations in soil temperatures were in beds where no water 

 was applied to the manure when the bed was being made. Beds which had an 

 excess of cold water added to the manure in the making gave the most even 

 temperature but were several days longer in acquiring their maximum tem- 

 perature. Manure made extremely wet and soggy by the application of cold 

 water does not heat properly. Placing the manure in the pit before it has time 

 to warm through thoroughly causes the temperature to rise slowly and unevenly 

 over the bed. Although excessive packing by tramping and tamping with heavy 

 tampers retards the heating at the start, the tests suggest that the life of the 

 manure bed will be lengthened by this practice. The air readings in the beds 

 covered with single glass sash were higher in the daytime and lower at night 

 than those under double glass sashes. 



The commercial grading', packing, and shipping of cantaloups, O. T. Moee 

 and G. Y. Branch {U. S. Dept. Agr., Farmers' Bui. 707 (1916), i)p. 23, figs. 18).— 

 This publication is designed to aid growers and shippers in preparing their 

 cantaloups for market in such a way that they may realize higher average 

 returns with fewer losses. The subject matter is based on the results of careful 

 observations of grading, packing, and shipping operations as now conducted by 

 the most progressive growers and shippers in some of the best commercial 

 cantaloup sections of the country, together with investigations of cantaloup- 

 marketing conditions in many of the larger cities. 



The tomato, R. Ro\t:tta (II Pomodoro. Milan: Ulrico Hoepli, 191Jf, pp. XF+ 

 27(h pi. 1, figs. 89). — A manual of information relative to tomato culture and 

 the preparation of various tomato products such as canned tomatoes, tomato 

 sauce, and paste. Information is also given relative to the utilization of the 

 refuse as stock feed and fertilizer, including the manufacture of tomato-seed 

 oil and its adaptation for various purposes. The various types of machinery 

 and equipment used in the preparation of tomato products are described. 



Texas orchard and nursery inspection laws and digest of the laws and 

 regulations of the different States, covering interstate shipment of nursery 

 stock, E. L. Aykrs (Texas Dept. Agr. Bui., n. scr.. No. 19 [1916], pp. 20).— The 

 laws and regulations here noted deal both with insect pests and plant diseases. 



Influence of low temperature on fruit growing in New York State, W. H. 

 Chandlee (Cornell Countryman, 13 (1916), No. 5, pp. 373-377, figs. 4)- — A popu- 

 lar discussion of various types of injury to fruit trees caused by low tem- 

 perature. 



[Report of horticultural investigations] (Neio Mexico Sta. Rpt. 1915, pp. 

 55-65, figs. 2). — Data are given showing the dates of blooming and picking and 

 yields and returns from the different varieties in the experimental peach 

 orchard. Experiments dealing with the winter treatment of Vinifera grapes 

 were continued. The data obtained show the advantage of winter protection. 

 Covering the vines with moist soil during the winter appears to be an actual 

 benefit to them. A table is given showing the average yield per vine, the 

 actual yield per plat, and the estimated yield per acre for the different varie- 

 ties xmder different methods of winter treatment. A test of the newer varie- 

 ties of plums and sweet and sour cherries was started during the year. A 

 plan is given of the test orchard, together with a list of the varieties planted. 



