HORTICULTURE. 237 



by these experiments and by results obtained in some earlier experiments on 

 the same plat of ground the effect on the growth of trees appears to depend 

 largely on the character of the seasons following the trenching and planting. 

 Generally speaking the author concludes that in the absence of a hardpan the 

 main use of trenching seems to be that it affords an opportunity for adding 

 manure or other fertilizer material to the soil. 



An economic study of beans, E. M. Ledyard {PJiilipjnnc Agr. and Forester, 

 2 {1912) y No. 4-6, pp. 66-85). — An economic and cultural test of a number of 

 different species of beans is reported. The author concludes that on account 

 of its wide adaptation as regards soil and its value as a garden and field bean, 

 and also as a soil improver the cowpea is well adapted for general introduction 

 into the Philippine Islands. The cowpea resembles the Philippine sitao which is 

 a favorite bean for culinary use in the islands. 



Supplementary studies on the differential mortality with respect to seed 

 weig-ht in the germination of garden beans, J. A. Harris (Amcr. Nat., 47 

 (1913), Xos. 563, pp. 683-700; 564, PP- 739-759, figs. 5).— In an earlier study of 

 field cultures of Phascolus vulgaris the author found that both large and small 

 seed are less capable of developing into fertile plants than are those which 

 do not deviate so widely either above or below the type (E. S. R., 2S, p. 636). 

 In order to substantiate these results greenhouse plantings in sand of some 

 46,000 individually weighed seeds, chiefly of the pedigrees employed in the field 

 experiments, were made. The present paper discusses the results of this sec- 

 ond study with special reference to the questions of the existence of a differ- 

 ential mortality and of its consequences in the population. 



In general the results of the first study are fully confirmed. As a result 

 of the more extended data secured from these greenhouse cultures, the author 

 is led to conclude that there is strong evidence for varietal differences with 

 respect to mortality. In some strains the heavier, in others the lighter, seeds 

 seem less capable of development. From the data at hand no definite conclu- 

 sion is drawn relative to the cause of this variation, but it is suggested that 

 the reason for these differences may be sought in the inherent characters of 

 the stocks used or the environment to which they have been subjected. 



The author's studies are to be continued for the purpose of determining the 

 causes of the observed differences in viability. 



The pollination of fruit trees and its bearing on planting, C. H. Hooper 

 (Gard. Chron., 3. ser., 54 (1913), Nos. I4O6, pp. 393, 394; 1407, p. 420).— A 

 review of recent European investigations on this subject, all of which tend to 

 show that cross-pollination is the rule and that this is effected more by insects 

 than by the wind. Honeybees and bumblebees are the best pollenizers* See 

 also a previous note (E. S. R., 28, p. 237). 



On the pruning and spacing of grapevines, J. L. Vidal (Rev. Vit., 39 

 (1913), Nos. 1013, pp. 689-693; IOI4, pp. 713-720; 1015, pp. 752-756; 1017, 

 pp. 814-819; Bid. Agr. AJgdrie et Tunisie, 19 (1913), Nos. 15, pp. 305-319; 16 

 pp. 321-331). — The author here reports a comparative test of various systems 

 of pruning and spacing grapes as conducted with vines grafted to 24 different 

 stocks. Information is also given relative to the value of these stocks for a 

 limey soil. 



On the behavior of various grape stocks on heavy calcareous soil, H. Faes 

 (Prog. Agr. et Vit. (Ed. VEst-Centre), 34 (1913), No. 50, pp. 77/3-74^).— Sum- 

 marized data are given showing the annual condition of Chasselas grapes 

 grafted on various American and French-American grape stocks and set out on 

 a heavy limey soil in 1909. Generally speaking the French-American stocks 

 have been somewhat superior to the pure American stocks in their resistance 

 to adverse soil conditions. 



