240 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOED. 



in cooperation with many orchardists for the past 5 years, are reported under 

 the following general headings : The orchard districts of California, conditions 

 under which green-manure crops should not be used, qualities desirable in a 

 green-manure crop, methods of handling green-manure crops, winter green- 

 manure crops now used in California orchards, summer green-manure crops, re- 

 sults of green manuring in California, results of tests with various legumes, 

 promising green-manure crops, and the cost of seed of green-manure crops. 



The investigation as a whole shows that green-manure crops are being used 

 extensively only in the citrus and walnut orchards of the southern part of the 

 State, although observations of a few plantings and experimental work show 

 that by early seeding a good green-manure crop can be grown and in most cases 

 can be profitably used in the northern citrus section. In deciduous orchard 

 sections practically no green-manure crop is used, since water for fall irrigation 

 is not generally available for starting the crop. A volunteer growth of bur 

 clover, however, is usually sufficient by the time the orchards are plowed in the 

 spring to yield considerable humus. In certain sections where adobe or similar 

 soils prevail, the use of green-manure crops does not seem advisable, since cul- 

 tivation must continue on such soils to prevent their becoming hard and packed. 

 Whenever available, stable manure may be used to increase the humus supply 

 in such soils. 



The work has clearly indicated the superiority of certain crops over others 

 and their adaptation for various purposes and conditions. Common vetch and 

 field peas are the most generally used green-manure crops and together with 

 bur clover are adapted to quite varied conditions. Peas or common vetch sown 

 in the fall will geuei'ally need irrigation to make sufficient growth to be turned 

 under early as a green manure. Earlier and heavier seeding is desirable for 

 obtaining the best results. Woolly podded vetch also promises to be of value 

 for deciduous orchard conditions. Fenugreek appears to be especially adapted 

 to the coastal region. Of the various legumes tested hairy vetch is not well 

 adapted for use as a green-manure crop in California, but black bitter vetch, 

 black purple vetch, woolly podded vetch, horse beans, and the Tangier pea are 

 considered to be promising new crops in comparison with common vetch. With 

 the exception of horse beans in the northern portion, green-manure ci'ops need 

 no inoculation in California. The growing of a summer crop in California 

 orchards is not advisable. Local and sectional conditions should be taken into 

 consideration in determining the kind of crop and the best method of handling it. 



Varieties of fruit originated in Michigan, S. W. Fletcher (Michigan Sta. 

 8i)ec. Bui. J{Ii, pp. 3-87, figs. 82). — This bulletin contains descriptions of 185 

 named varieties of orchai'd and small fruits, which have originated in Michigan 

 and have been announced from timQ to time in the horticultural literature of the 

 State. Introductory remarks deal with the importance of breeding new vari- 

 eties, the kinds of new varieties needed in Michigan, and qualities which go to 

 perpetuate a variety. Although Michigan has contributed very little to the 

 widely grown varieties of fruit in this country, a number of varieties have been 

 produced which are of considerable commercial importance within the State. 



The Ben Davis group of apples, J. K. Shaw {Massachusetts Sta. Rpt. 1909, 

 pt. 1, pp. 176-193, map 1). — ^A summarized study of the apples of the Ben Davis 

 group i-elative to their history, distinguishing characteristics, and quality. 



A study of the available literature together with information gleaned from 

 authorities in systematic pomology gave a list of 40 varieties as possible candi- 

 dates for this group. Twenty of these varieties, however, are believed to belong 

 elsewhere or to be synonyms. The remainder are here separately considered 

 and described. 



