1919] HORTICULTURE. 41 



The breeding work with strawberries was continued at the Sitka Station, 

 althougli the season was unfavorable for determining the value of the seed- 

 lings. Two hybrid strawberries originated at the Sitka Station have proved 

 entirely hardy at Rampart with no protection other than that afforded by the 

 snow. They fruited abundantly for a period of six weeks, producing large, 

 luscious berries. 



The first two apples ever matured in interior Alaska were grown on a 

 Siberian crab at Kanipart during the past season. Of a lot of a dozen of 

 these trees and other hardy apples sent to the Rampart Station about 12 years 

 ago only three trees are now alive, all Siberian crab. The tops are killed 

 down to snow line each winter. 



[Report on horticultural investigations] (Kansas Sia. Rpt. 1918, pp. 35, 

 56). — A brief statement of progress made during the year. Summing up the 

 results for three seasons, the station's tests show clearly that it is impracticable 

 to prune and stake tomatoes when growing them on a commercial scale, as in- 

 crease of production does not offset the cost of pruning and staking. This sea- 

 son's work confirms the wisdom of using some crop, usually either wheat or 

 corn, which makes a heavy demand on the soil, between alfalfa and potatoes. 

 Fall plowing has proved to be helpful in the control of potato diseases. It is 

 suggested that this may be due to the fact that the soil is in better condi- 

 tion and better germination is secured. 



Continued experimentation in orchard soil management justifies the con- 

 clusion that alfalfa and permanent sodding must be abandoned in order to 

 control the buffalo tree hopper (Ceresa bubalus). On the other hand serious 

 washing of the glacial soils, even where cultivation is along the contour lines, 

 indicates the need of cover crops. Cowpeas and oats are being tested for this 

 purpose. Orchard pruning experiments continue to show the superiority of 

 two prunings, summer and winter, over a single pruning or neglected prun- 

 ing. A large number of fruit buds were produced on 5-year old and 6-year old 

 apple trees which were pruned for the 2 years preceding. 



Report of the department of horticulture, M. A. Blake and 0. H. Connors 

 (New Jeisey Stas. Rpt. 1917, pp. JD-IOJ/, })ls. 2, fig. 1). — A progress report on 

 horticultural investigations in 1917, continuing previoiis work (E. S. R., 39, 

 p. 745), and including observations on peach borers and on peach yellows and 

 little peaches abstracted on pp. 57 and 54, respectively. 



The season's results from the peach-pruning experiment in the Vineland 

 orchard indicate that the summer pruning of the tips of the branches in late 

 June and early July delays the maturity of the fruit. Summer pruning thus 

 prolongs vegetative action instead of checking it, as is commonly believed. 

 The fertilizer experiments in the Vineland orchard, wliich have run for 10 

 years, are now to be discontinued, and the results will be published. 



In the peach-breeding work, additional plantings of seedling peaches from- 

 known parents were made on the recently acquired Wolpert farm, and pits 

 from crosses made in 1916 were planted in nursery rows. A small orchard of 

 standard varieties used in the breeding work, as well as other standard 

 varieties and promising seedlings, was planted in 1917. An experimental grape 

 vineyard and a new planting of apples has been started on the Wolpert farm. 



Cultural and variety tests with roses and carnations were continued. In the 

 breeding work with carnations, several seedlings producing purple flowers of 

 good form appeared. Several red seedlings and one red and wl)\te variegated 

 seedling aLso are very promising. 



A strain test of Earliana tomatoes was started during the year, and the 

 strain test of beets was continued. The usual records of blooming date of fruit 



