584 



EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Cherries and cherry growing in Iowa, II. C Pkick and K. '.•]. JjIttlk {[omt Sla. 

 Bui. 73, pp. 45-98, jUjK. 27, chart 1, maps 2). — i'opular directions are given in this !)ul- 

 letin for growing cherries in Iowa. Statistics and maps showing the extent of pro- 

 duction are inchided, together with descriptions of 74 varieties, a large uuniljer of 

 which are Russian kinds and seedlings; a series of charts showing the blossoming 

 season of many different sorts for 2 years; and an estimate by growers of the liardi- 

 ness, freedom from disease, and productiveness of varieties in different sections of the 

 State. The fruit and leaves of many of the varieties described are illustrated. 



The Russian varieties of cherries were introdu(;ed into Iowa by -Professor Budd in 

 1883, with the hope that they would prove hardy and ])roductive and extend the 

 successful culture of cherries far into the Northwest. Up to the i)resent time they 

 have failed to fulfill these expectations. They have proved much less inmiune to 

 disease, and otlierwise less suited to Iowa conditions than the sorts commonly grown 

 in that State. It is hoped, however, that as they become further acclimated and 

 mingled with the other varieties commonly grown seedlings may be obtained which 

 will prove hardier and more productive than any of the varieties now in cultivation 

 in the State. 



An experiment was made to determine the value of netting in protecting cherries 

 from birds during the ripening season. The material used w'as a light-weight l)lock 

 fish netting, with openings too small for the birds to get through. It was procured 

 in Germany, and is believed to be too expensive for commercial use. One tree thus 

 protected from the l)irds yielded 52 qts. of fruit, while an unprotected tree yielded 

 but 32 qts. The following year the experiment was repeated, when the covered tree 

 again yielded 20 qts. more of marketable fruit than the uncovered tree. After har- 

 vesting the fruit the netting is stored away for use in succeeding seasons. Where 

 only % few trees are grown for family use it is believed that this method of protection 

 may prove satisfactory. 



In the authors' discussion of stocks on which to propagate cherries, they state that 

 because of the severity of the winters in the Northwest neither the INIazzard nor 

 Mahaleb are satisfactory, and that no definite conclusions have yet been reached 

 regarding the value of native stocks such as Wild Bird cherry {Prunus pennsijl ranica) , 

 Sand cherry (P. he^seyi), and the Wild Black and Choke cherries. Suggestions are 

 included for tt)p-grafting. 



Change in the composition of growing peaches, C. L. Penny and C. P. Close 

 {Delaware Sta. Rpt. 1902, pp. 87, 88, 98, 99). — Analyses were made of samples of 

 Elberta peach twigs, buds, blossoms, and fruit at 2 different stages of maturity, and 

 of the shell and kernel of jieach pits. The composition of the -different parts as 

 regards potash, phosphoric acid, nitrogen, starch, and sugar is shown in the follow- 

 ing table: 



Composition of Elberta j>each twirjs, buds, blossoms, ami fruit. 



Moisture. Potash. t'^^^P^^"^ Nitrogen. Sugar. Starch. 



Twigs 



Buds 



Blossoms 



Entire peach, June 6 



Entire peach, June 28'. . . . 



Entire peacli, Aug. 25 



Flesli of peach, Aug. 26o. 

 Shells of pits, Aug. 2.5o. . . 

 Kernels of pits, Aug. 25a. 



Per cent. 



52.87 

 55.61 

 81.41 

 87.97 

 82. 76 

 83. 24 



Per- cent. 



0.29 

 .74 

 .57 

 .29 

 .33 

 .29 



2.32 

 .33 



1.02 



Per cent. 

 0.11 

 .38 

 .16 

 .02 

 .05 

 .03 

 .24 

 .08 

 .64 



Per cent. 



0.50 



1.23 



.69 



.16 



.18 



.10 



.63 



.19 



4.08 



Per cent. 

 2.88 

 .93 

 2.86 

 2.95 

 1.98 

 7.42 

 61.94 

 3.21 



Per cent. 



16. 55 

 5.10 

 2.06 

 2.31 

 3.64 

 1.98 

 7.31 



25. 10 



a Absolutely dry state. 



It is stated that the average weight of 100 peaches when thinned June 6 was 2.8 

 lbs.; June 28, 6 lbs.; and at nuiturity, August 25, 28.6 lbs. 



