HORTICULTURE. 809 



A new late cabbage from Russia {Aiticr. Ayr., 73 {1904), No. G, p. 143)- — This 

 is a variety of cabbage called the Volga which has been grown on Long Lsland dur- 

 ing the past 9 years. The crop of 1903 was the fourth one from seed grown in this 

 country. The heads of this variety are reporte<l to weigh from 10 to 15 ll)s. In shai)e 

 it is midway between the Danish Ball Head and the Flat Dutch. It is considered 

 one of the best for shipping and for kraut. It is a rapid-growing variety, valuable 

 for a second crop. When planted the same time as the earliest varieties of Flat 

 Dutcli it made a solid head fully two weeks earlier than Early Summer, and 25 per 

 cent larger. The heads are very imiform in size. In a field of 4 acres grown for 

 seed purposes less than 1 per cent had to be thrown out. The variety is especially 

 recommended as a (piick-growing late sort. 



Cantaloupe seed, B. K. Blin'n {Colorado Sta. Bui. 85, pp. S, ph. 4)- — The author 

 states that it is a common custom in the region where the Rocky Ford cantaloujjes 

 are grown in Colorado to use all those melons for seed at the close of the shipping 

 season which may be green, overripe, large, or small. These are gathered without 

 any attempt at selection, and run through the melon seeder. As a result of this 

 method of selection a large percentage of melons grown at Rocky Ford are unmarket- 

 able either on account of size, form, defective netting, thin rinds, soft flesh, or other 

 reasons. Illustrations are given showing the outward appearance of a desirable type 

 of Rocky Ford melons produced l)y careful seed selection. 



A typical Rocky Ford melon should be "slightly over 4 in. in diameter, and about 

 4| in. long; it should have silver-gray netting that stands out like thick, heavy lace, 

 practically covering the entire melon save the well-defined slate-colored stripes; these 

 should run the whole length of the melon, clear cut as if grooved out with a round 

 chisel, and terminating at the blossom end in a small button. The interstices in the 

 netting should be light olive green, that turns slightly yellow when the melon is 

 ready f<jr market. A melon with a black skin under the netting is not so attractive 

 in appearance. . . . 



"The flesh should l)e thick and firm, of a smooth texture, and free from watery 

 appearance, rich and melting in flavor. The shipping and keeping qualities depend 

 largely on the solidity of the melon, so the seed cavity should be small and perfectly 

 filled with seed. The color of the flesh near the rind should be dark green, shading 

 lighter toward the seed cavity, which should be salmon or orange in color. The 

 flesh is often mottled with salmon, and not uncommonly the entire flesh is of that 

 color. The flavor is usually quite uniform, though it is sometimes affected by the 

 health of the vines or other conditions of growth." 



Directions are given for the different steps to be observed in selecting melons for 

 seed. It has been found that it takes about one crate of melons to produce a jiound 

 of seed, and this fact should be made the basis of the price of selected cantaloupe 

 seed. Melons should be selected from extra prolific hills and among those that 

 ripen earliest in the season. With attention to the careful selection of seeds it is 

 believed that practically all the melons produced can be marketed. 



Growing' caulifl.ower seed, in Denmark ( Amrr. Florht, 22 ( 1904), No. 824, P- 330, 

 fig. 1). — A descri])tion is given of the methods observed in Denmark in growing 

 cauliflower seed for the trade. 



Ginseng to date, F. O. Harrixgtox {Tranft. Iov:a Hart. Soc, 38 {1903), pp. 

 222-227). — Theauthornotes that by failing to mulch ginseng in Iowa during the winter 

 of 1898 and 1899 one plat was wholly destroyed and another partially destroyed by 

 the severe cold. Artificial shade was not used. Very successfiil results have been 

 obtained hy planting among evergreens and also in walnut groves. Seed produced 

 during tlu' sunnner of 1902 was sold at an average net price of 66 cts. ju'r 100 seeds. 

 It is estimated that the value of the seed obtained from one-seventh of an acieof 

 genseng was $2,500. Some seed heads of 5-year-old plants produced from 100 to 166 

 seeds. The dried roots sold for $6.60 per pound. 



