The results of the experiments, which are tabulated, indicate that potash is espe- 

 cially useful in the culture of this crop. This element seems to especially favor the 

 development of the pericarp or edible portion of the fruit. A formula consisting of 

 500 kg. nitrate of soda, 800 kg. basic phosphate, and 200 kg. sulphate of potash per 

 acre is recommended as a general fertilizer for this crop. 



The mutations of Lycopersicum, C. A. White (Pop. Sci. Mo., 67 (1905), Xo. 2, 

 pp. 151-161, figs. .M . —The author obtained 2 new species of Lycopersicum, which 

 he has designated L. solanopxis and L. latifoliatum, by mutation from seeds of L. escu- 

 lent urn. The essential features of this work have been noted in an earlier publica- 

 tion (E. 8. R, 13, p. 645). The author believes that these two cases of sudden 

 mutation in the genus Lycopersicum are of essentially the same nature as those cases 

 of mutation observed by Professor de Vries in the genus CEnothera. 



The American peppermint industry, A. M. Todd (5. Internal. Kong. Angew. 

 Chem., 1903, Ber. 2, pp. 804-812). — A brief historical account of the peppermint 

 industry since it began in England in 1750, with an account of its culture on the 

 large mint farms in Michigan and of methods of distillation. 



Peppermint, Alice Henkel ( U. S. Dept. Agr., Bur. Plant Indus. Bui. 90, j>t. 3. 

 />/>. 15, figs. 3). — Brief descriptions of American mint (Mentha piperita), black mint 

 (M. piperita vulgaris), and white mint (M. piperita officinalis), with an account of pep- 

 permint culture in the United States, including planting, harvesting, distilling, and 

 statistics on the production, export and prices of peppermint oil. Michigan produces 

 the bulk of the crop grown in the United States. The number of acres grown in 1902 

 was 6,400 with an average yield of 12.8 lbs. of oil per acre. The price in 1905 ranged 

 from $2.25 to 83.45 per pound. 



Shading" pineapples (Agr. News [Barbados'], 4 (1905), No. 90, p. 292). — A note is 

 given stating that an experiment was made in shading pineapple plants from the 

 time of flowering until the fruit was ready to be cut. As a result the shaded plants 

 were healthier and the fruits more perfect in shape than those unshaded. 



Fertilizing- apple trees, F. A. Waugh (Country Gent., 71 (1905), No. 2762. j>. 

 14). — This is an abstract of a paper presented by Prof. W. P. Brooks before the horti- 

 cultural seminary of the Massachusetts Agricultural College. 



Besides the discussion of the general principles which should obtain in the ferti- 

 lizing of fruit trees, an account is given of an experiment begun in 1887 in which 

 good agricultural land was planted with apple trees and the sections fertilized with 

 different kinds of fertilizers. The trees were planted in 1890, and are now 15 years 

 old. Data as to the fertilizers used and their cost, the average diameter of the trees 

 at present, and the total yield to date are given in the following table: 



Yield and growth of fruit trees differently fertilized. 



From the table it is readily seen that the largest trees and the heaviest yields 

 resulted from the use of 10 tons of barnyard manure per acre. Very nearly as good 

 results w r ere obtained on the plat fertilized with bone meal and low-grade magnesia- 

 potash-sulphate. The table likewise shows that the cost per acre was considerably 

 greater when barnyard manure was used than with any of the other fertilizers. 



