HORTICULTURE. 241 



Variation in apples, J. K. Shaw (Massachusetts 8ta. Rpt. 1909, pt. 1, pp 

 194-213, pis. J. figs. 2). — The results are given of a 2-years' investigation by 

 statistical metbocls relative to the variation of the Ben Davis apple, vphich 

 variety was selected as being the most widely cultivated of any commercial 

 variety. The subject matter is presented uuder the two headings : The varia- 

 tion in size and form as grown in the Clark orchard of the Massachusetts 

 Agricultural College and the variation in form, quality, and other characters 

 when grown under widely varying couditious of climate and soil in the United 

 States and Canada. Statistical measurements showing the means, standard 

 deviations, and coefficients of variability are giveu and discussed and the 

 variations are also graphically represented. 



The data secured in the Clark orchard showed little or no relation between 

 the size of the apples and the yield. There were slight differences in the vari- 

 ability in the size of apples from the different trees. The variability of the 

 form of the fruit from different trees was less than that of size but was i)er- 

 ceptible to the eye as were also differences in color. Apples from the top of 

 the tree were a little larger than those from the lower branches and also 

 slightly more variable. Apples from the lower branches were a little longer 

 than those from the top of the tree. 



Generally speaking, the Ben Davis gradually becomes more and more elon- 

 gated in form the farther north it is grown. In correlating the variations in 

 fruit characteristics with variations in meteorological data, it appears that the 

 poor quality of the northern grown Ben Davis is due to an insufficient amount 

 of heat to fully develop the fruit. 



The work as a whole is summarized as follows : " Apples vary greatly in 

 response to the widely varying conditions of soil, and more especially, climate, 

 in the apple regions of North America. The Ben Davis variety seems to be 

 especially variable. This variability may be accurately measured and studied 

 by means of statistical methods. The most striking variation is in the external 

 form of the apples, and this is accompanied by corresponding changes of the 

 internal structure. The cause of this variation is some factor or factors of 

 climate, which are closely related to latitude and the proximity of large bodies 

 of water. It is probable that humidity or temperatui-e, or both, may be the 

 controlling factors. The differences in warmth of different growing seasons 

 definitely affect the size of apples for that season. The most favorable tempera- 

 ture for development in size varies with the locality. It is lower in the North 

 than in the South. The cause of the variation in quality is chiefly the varying 

 amount of heat prevalent during the growing season. In order to develop 

 satisfactorily in quality the Ben Davis should have an average monthly mean 

 temperature of not less than 60° F. for the growing season, March to September, 

 inclusive." 



Natural variation of the apple as a factor in the perpetuation and im- 

 provement of varieties, V. H. Davis {Ohio State Hart. Soc. Ann. Rpt., JfS 

 (1910), pp. -'/0--J4)- — In this paper the importance of selecting buds or scions 

 of known desirable characteristics is discussed. 



Manuring an apple orchard, W. P. Brooks (Massachusetts 8ta. Rpt. 1909, 

 pt. 2, pp. 10-20). — Fertilizer expei'iments with apples originally planned by 

 C. A. Goessmann have been in progress at the station for 20 years. A brief 

 statement of the conditions and plan of the experiment and the leading results 

 and conclusions are given. 



The area devoted to apples is divided into 5 plats of about J of an acre each. 

 Each plat contains 12 trees, 3 each of Gravenstein, Baldwin, Roxbury Russet, 

 and Rhode Island Greening. The soil is a strong gravelly loam, with fairly 

 compact subsoil. The following manures and fertilizers have been applied to 



