250 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



the weight of the product. A soil liberally dressed with rotted manure gave slightly 

 better results than commercial fertilizers. During 2 seasons comparisons were made 

 between the yield of lettuce on surface-watered and subwatered sections. The results 

 for the 4 crops grown during the 2 seasons are without exception in favor of subwater- 

 ing, the average increase being about 15 per cent. 



During the preceding winter a number of trees in the orchard were girdled by 

 mice. The following spring many of these were bridge grafted by students in the 

 junior class. Trees thus treated grew successfully, while untreated trees died. Illus- 

 trations are given of treated and untreated trees. 



A test was made during the winter of the value of ether in forcing rhubarb. The 

 rhubarb roots were dug in the fall and placed in a cold frame where they were sub- 

 jected to the action of frost in the usual way. A part of 4 separate lots was ether- 

 ized, the first lot, December 18-20; the second, January 9-11; the third, January 30 

 to February 1; and the fourth, February 24-26. Sulphuric ether was used at the 

 rate of 10 cc. per cubic foot in all cases except with the third lot, where 17 cc. was 

 used. 



The first and second lots which were etherized gave results decidedly in favor of 

 the process. The third lot, which received 17 cc. per cubic foot, was injured by the 

 treatment, while the fourth lot was etherized so late in the season as not to show 

 marked benefits from the treatment. The increased yields in lots 1, 2, and 4 were 

 34.4, 89.7, and 5.7 per cent, respectively, in favor of etherization, while in lot 3 the 

 untreated plants gave an increased yield of 26.8 per cent over the etherized plants. 



Considering only the 3 lots which are strictly comparable, the gain in favor of the 

 etherized plants for the different pickings was as follows: First picking, 622 per cent; 

 second, 86 per cent; third, 23 per cent; and fourth, 47 cent. These results show a 

 decided increase in earliness and in weight of product due to etherization. It is 

 believed that still better results might have been obtained had the work been under- 

 taken a month or 6 weeks earlier. Forcing took place under the benches in the 

 greenhouse in darkness. 



The real Luther Burbank, E. J. Wickson (Siuixet Mag., 15 (1905), Xo. 1, pp. 

 3-16, pi. l,figs. 11). — Besides an account of Burbank himself, his methods of work, 

 and the results accomplished, the origin of some of his productions is noted. 



The Burbank plum was a direct importation from Japan. The crimson winter 

 rhubarb was imported from Australia. The sugar prune is a seedling of the prune 

 d'Agen. The crimson California poppy was obtained by selection from the yellow 

 California poppy. The improved "everlasting" flower was obtained from the star 

 flower from Australia (CephaUpterum drummondii). This flower "has undergone 

 selection for size and color of its paper-like bracts, until they have become large, 

 rosy within and white without, and have similated the structure and texture of arti- 

 ficial flowers to such an extent that manufacturing milliners talk of its use by the 

 million as serving the same end with much more grace and less cost than their cloth- 

 and-wire creations." 



The Wickson plum was produced by crossing Burbank and Kelsey. The stoneless 

 prune was obtained by crossing an European species, "which has never been of 

 horticultural value," with the French prune, followed by selection. The Shasta 

 daisy was obtained by combining the moon daisy of Europe, the ox-eye daisy of 

 America, and a species from Japan, and selection. The spineless cacti has been 

 evolved by hybridization and selection between 5 species of opuntia. 



Bud variation. Facts that prove its occurrence, O. W. Blackxall (Country 

 dent., 70 (1905), Xo. 2717, p. 179).— The author cites examples of bud variation with 

 the YVinesap apple, the Scuppernong grape, and the Wilson Albany strawberry. 

 Having proved satisfactorily to himself that bud variation does occur, he suggests as 

 a practical result in propagating fruit trees and all other plants by means of buds 

 that the scious should be taken only from plants of highest productivity. 



