BORTIOULTUEE. 661 



10 varieties testing highesl were Hickman, Red Wonder, Fulcaster, Gypsy, Valley, 

 Deitz, Currell Prolific, Perfection, Nigger, and Lebanon. Velvel Chaff, Lehigh, Sib- 

 ley New Golden, Red Wonder, Lebanon, New Columbia, Fultzo-Mediterranean, 

 Deitz, and Buda Pesth, in the order given, ranked highesl in percentage of protein. 



It was observed thai a high temperature for tin' month preceding harvest quite 

 uniformly decreased the yield and weight per bushel, but owing to a reduced starch 

 content, increased the percentage oJ protein. Anything hindering the normal de- 

 velopment of the kernel, as plant Liseasea oi insect enemies, also increases the per- 

 centage of protein, bul this increase due to these various causes is not desirable 

 because the protein isfound more largely in the bran and other products than in the 

 flour. A high protein content in normally developed wheal is desirable and should 

 besought tin- as a variety characteristic. 



Ranking the varieties on a basis of 60 points for yield, 25 for weighl per bushel, 

 and 15 for protein content, the following L0 Bcored highest: Gypsy, Early Ripe, 

 Nigger, Poole, Mealy, Currell Prolific, Valley, Eled Wonder, Democrat, and Fulcas- 

 ter. The first 4 of these varieties are considered as quite generally satisfactory for 

 the entire State. Mealy is described as doing well on rather thin upland, being 

 quite disappointing on rich soils and bottom lands, and giving in general a g< od 

 yield but having a greater tendency to shrivel than many varieties. 



The results of 11 years' work indicate that on the somewhat worn lands of the 

 State from 8 to 10 pk. of seed wheat per acre will give hotter yields than a smaller 

 quantity. In normal seasons seeding September 20 to 22 has been most satisfactor) . 

 with seeding September 1 5 standing next. In only ;; seasons out of 13 did first grade 

 seed as graded by a fanning mill give larger yields than seed from which the small 

 and light grains had not been so removed. The removal of the shrunken, broken, 

 and extremely small grains is advised, for the purpose of securing a more uniform 

 seeding and a greater vitality to resist unfavorable seasons. 



The selection of large as compared with small heads indicated that permanent 

 improvement must be based upon the selection of plants as a whole, and not upon 

 certain parts. The excellence of the plant must he due to hereditary influences 

 rather than environment. Methods of wheat breeding by selection are given. 



The annual report of the seed control station at Orebro, 1904, J. Widen 

 {Orebro Kern. suit, och Frokontrollanst. Arsber. 1904, pp. 27-49). — The average results 

 of purity and germination tests of a list of grass ami held crop seeds are given in 

 tables. 



HORTICULTURE. 



Report of the fruit experiment stations of Ontario, 1904, L. Woolvebton 

 et al. {Ann. Rj>t. Fruit Expt. Stas. Ontario, 11 {1904), /'!•■ 144, figs. 88).— Original 

 descriptions and half-tone illustrations are given, in continuation of previous work 

 (E. S. R., 16, p. 264), of 13 varieties of apples grown in Ontario, 4 of blackberries, 

 4 of grapes, 14 of peaches, 9 of pears, 7 of plums, and 1 of quinces, with an account 

 of the work done during the year at the various experimental fruit stations and 

 general notes by the experimenters on the various fruits grown. In addition a list 

 of fruits recommended for planting in various parts of the Province of Ontario is 

 given, together with the papers presented at a meeting of the association. 



British fruit growing, S. Pickebing I Nature [London], : .' I 1905), No. t869, pp. 

 896,397). — A discussion of fruit culture in relation to meteorology, more especially 

 frosts, with some data on the blooming period of a large number of varieties of apples 

 in England. 



It was noted at the Woburn Experimental Farm that there was an apparent con- 

 nection between earliness of blooming and the earliness of ripening of the fruit. 

 Thus, 37 early varieties were in bloom on an average, -May 4.7; 40 mid-season varie- 

 ties, May 6.3; and 40 late varieties, May 8. 



