442 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



average, the yield beinj: !'.'>.?> tons per acre, the snpir content 13.9 per cent, and 

 the purity 81. 2 per cent. 



It is believed that equally good results may be secured throughout a large 

 part of the Valley of Virginia, the southwestern part of the State, aud possibly 

 in some of the higher sections of Piedmont ^'irginia. 



Varieties of cane, with special reference to nomenclature, N. Deere and 

 C. F. EcKART {Hawaiian Sugar Planters' 8ta., Div. Agr. and Chem. Bui. 26, pp. 

 5-25). — This bulletin records results with reference to nomenclature of varieties 

 of cane secured by a study of all the literature available, as well as the personal 

 observations of the authors. An outline of the history of different varietal 

 groups is presented, and synonyms of the varieties treated are given in a sum- 

 mary. The different varieties discussed are the Yellow Otaheite, Ratavian or 

 Transparent, Yellow Caledt)nia and Tanna, Salangore, Cavengerie, Bamboo, Red, 

 Stripedtip. Elephant, Green Rose Ribbon, Uba, and Daniel Dupont canes. 



Cooperative wheat variety work (Ohio Sta. Circ. 8'/, pp. Jf).- — This circular 

 describes the object of the test and the methods to be followed by each coopera- 

 tor in conducting the work. 



HORTICULTURE. 



Handbook of fruit culture, N. Gaucher (Handhtich dcr Obstkultur. Berlin, 

 1908. -'i. cd.. rev. and enl., pp. XX+1030, pis. 16, figs. 630).— This worlv, which 

 is offered as a book of practical experience for practical use, first appeared in 

 1888, and has been considerably revised and enlarged in the succeeding editions. 

 The first 2 parts deal with the development of the nursery and nursery prac- 

 tices. The succeeding parts of the worlv treat of the history, importance, and 

 profit of fruit culture, with hints for further development of the industry: fruit 

 culture in the field and on the roadside; planning fruit orchards and gardens; 

 formal fruit gardens and their arrangement; the function of the leaves, pur- 

 poses of pruning, and the physiological fundamentals of rational fruit culture; 

 pruning methods; the care of artificial tree forms; harvesting, storing, and 

 packing; diseases of fruit trees and shrubs; and the friends and enemies of 

 fruit trees. 



The text is fully illusti'ated, and a monthly working calendar, together with 

 several plans for the development of formal fruit gardens and views of specimen 

 fruit trees grown at the author's horticultural establishment at Stuttgart, are 

 appended. 



On the virgin fertility of fruit trees, A. Glatz (Proslcau. Obsthau Ztg., 13 

 (1908), A'o. 7, pp. 100-106). — The occurrence is reported of an apple tree pro- 

 ducing seedless fruit. The tree is said to be a heavy bearer and fruit buds are 

 formed on the one-year wood, thus enabling the tree to bear annually. The 

 flowers have neither petals nor stamens. Although the pistils have a weak 

 development, they jiroduce seed when artificially pollinated. The tree comes 

 into full bloom before the leaves begin to develop, from which it appears that 

 the fruit buds, unimpeded by the growing leaves, may be able to develop at the 

 expense of the reserved food supply in the tree. The core development varies 

 in the individual fruits, and in some is almost lacking. 



The author is of the opinion that the method devised by Ewert (E. S. R., 

 19, p. 142) for artificially pollinating nonfertile varieties of fruits will be found 

 to be of little value for practical orchard culture. He suggests that an attempt 

 should be made by judicious breeding so to develop the existing seedless 

 varieties, as to render the production of satisfactory fruit possible in years 

 when the weather and other conditions are unfavorable for pollination. 



