544 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOED. 



from 13 to 14 cm. deep and about 5 to 8 em. wide water-free calcium chlorid 

 is placed to a depth of about 3 cm. and covered with a layer of wadding about 

 2 cm. deep. The smaller vessel containing the pollen is then placed inside the 

 larger vessel, which is then sealed. The vessel should be opened for short 

 periods only, since the calcium chlorid will absorb humidity from the exterior 

 air. 



[Report of] Massachusetts Asparag'us Growers' Association, T. Hollis 

 (Mass. Asparagus growers' Assoc. [/?/>/.], 19J0, pp. 3). — A brief progress report 

 is given of the cultural experiments with asparagus being conducted at Con- 

 cord, Mass., cooperatively by the Massachusetts Experiment Station, the United 

 States Department of Agriculture, and the Massachusetts Aspai'agus Growers' 

 Association. 



One bed of asparagus set out in the spring of 1909 was cut profitably and 

 without injury in the following season. This phenomenal growth is attributed 

 to thorough preparation of the soil and the use of roots from selected seed of 

 plants having a carefully selected ancestry. 



Experiments in the use of vetch and crimson clover as cover crops indicate that 

 farmers in the vicinity of Concord can profitably grow their own seed of these 

 crops. For the favorable development of seed, however, it is advisable to 

 furnish vetch with something to climb on, brush being used with success at the 

 substation. 



The work of breeding asparagus resistant to rust which is being conducted 

 by J. B. Norton of this Department has progressed favorably. One variety, the 

 New American, used as a male parent has demonstrated prepotency beyond all 

 others in the experiments. Although rust conditions were serious in 1010, all 

 of the seedlings resulting from crosses between the above male parent and 

 various female parents were in fairly vigorous condition. A number of these 

 crosses showed almost no rust; one entire division fi-om one particular female 

 was thrifty and showed no rust at all. It is hoped that from this latter mating 

 and its progeny a rust-resistant strain will be secured. 



French method of intensive cultivation and asparagus forcing, H. Heee- 

 MAN ( [Louisville, Ky., 1910], pp. 50, figs. 3). — A brief popular treatise on inten- 

 sive vegetable culture. 



Sterility in fruit trees, E. Wallis (Jour. Dept. Agr. Victoria, 9 (1911), No. 1, 

 pp. 10-19, figs. 3). — A popular discussion of the causes and remedies for 

 sterility. With a view to assisting prospective planters in securing adequate 

 cross-pollination in their orchards, lists are given of the different varieties of 

 apples, pears, plums, peaches, and cherries and their blossoming periods in the 

 various fruit-growing centers of Victoria. 



Apple culture in Ohio, F. H. Ballou (Ohio 8ta. Bui. 217, pp. 527-559, figs. 

 17). — This bulletin discusses apple growing in Ohio relative to its past, present, 

 and future, together with the essentials of successful apple culture, including 

 the location of the orchard, elevation, soil, culture, planting, varieties, pruning, 

 renewal of old orchards, si^raying, and thinning. The bulletin concludes with 

 an account of successful demonstration work conducted in Washington County 

 in 1909 in the spraying for control of apple scab. 



In the spraying experiments standard Bordeaux mixture (4:6: 50) was largely 

 used as the fungicide and arsenate of lead as the insecticide. The work was 

 conducted in 3 orchards which had for several years failed to produce market- 

 able fruit. The results for each orchard are presented in detail. The sum- 

 marized results, based on many counts from different sprayed and unsprayed 

 trees in the 3 orchards, show for the sprayed trees 70 per cent of sound, perfect 

 apples, 17 per cent very slightly scabbed, and 13 per cent deformed by scab; 



