838 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



resultins from attempts to propagate mushrooms by spores, the author cites 

 two instances in which the species Agaricus vlvensis was propagated from frag- 

 ments thrown away on the nalved soil and continued to tlourisli for many years. 

 It is suggested that this species may prove of value to mushroom growers. 



Inheritance in tomato hybrids, H. L. Price and A. W. Drinkard, ,Tr. {Yir 

 (J i Ilia Sta. Bill. 177. pp. 17-53, ?)?s. 10, figs. 5). — The experiments discussed in this 

 bulletin were undertaken primarily for the purpose of testing for tomato char- 

 acteristics Mendel's law of inheritance (E. S. R., 13, p. 744). 



The work was begun in the spring of 1906, and the main problem consisted 

 in determining what form of inheritance existed for each particular pair of 

 characteristics. The plan as outlined included 21 distinct crosses, many of 

 which differed with respect to more than one pair of character units. All 

 character unit crosses of similar nature, regardless of pai'entage, are grouped 

 together in a single series and discussed. The fruit characters studied include 

 those having to do with shape, color, number of cells, pubescency, and smooth- 

 ness. Of the plant characters, the potato leaf was compared with a normal 

 cut leaf, green foliage with yellow foliage, and dwarf stature with standard 

 stature. 



Fi'om the data obtained the authors conclude than most character imits for 

 tomatoes when hybridized exhibit in the first hybrid generation the phe- 

 nomenon of dominance and recessiveness, and are subject in tlie second hybrid 

 generation to Mendeliau splitting or segregation. These character units are 

 independent in heredity, without respect to parentage. Reciprocal character 

 unit crosses give similar results in the offspring. A list is given of 13 dominant 

 and recessive vmit character pairs as determined for the tomato. Certain indi- 

 vidual crosses are discussed from the standpoint of di- and tri-hybrids as bear- 

 ing upon their utility in the development of new varieties. The authors conclude 

 relative to character unit polyhybrids that the different character iniits are 

 usually independently heritable, and that the re-combinations of characters 

 occurring in the second generation of hybrids conform with Mendel's law for 

 polyhybrids. Extracted recessives and selected homozygous dominants breed 

 true in subsequent generations. Inter- and intra-specific crosses of tomatoes 

 gave similar results in the hybrids. 



Of many desirable hybrids incidentally secured in this investigation the fol- 

 lowing are described : Beauty-Stone, Beauty-Golden Queen, and Potato Leaf-Red 

 Currant. 



On the influence of direct light on the chemical composition of fruits, 

 G. Riviere and G. Bailhache {Jour. fine. Nat. Hort. France, .). so:, 9 (1908), 

 Nor., pp. 627-630). — Analyses were made of the chemical composition of several 

 varieties of pears, the sun-colored side of each specimen being compared with 

 the unexposed side. In all cases the side of the fruit exposed to the sun showed 

 a greater sugar content and a smaller acid content than the unexposed side. 



Similar analyses are given for the Chasselas dore grape, in which comparisons 

 were made between the colored and uncolored portions of the same berries, and 

 between colored and uncolored berries taken from different bunches. The 

 results confirm those secured with the pears. 



California fruits and how to grow them, E. J. Wickson (i^aii Francisco, 

 CaL, 1909, .',. ed., rev., pp. 433, jyls. 25, figs. 228).— This is the fourth edition of 

 the author's work on fruit growing in California. The work has been enlarged 

 and revised to embody the results of recent experience, observation, and re- 

 search and is offered as a manual of methods which have yielded the greatest 

 success, with lists of varieties best adapted to different districts of the State. 

 The fruits discussed include deciduous and semitropical orchard fruits, grapes, 



