HORTICULTURE. 



343 



and based on three years' experience in growing onions at the station 

 are given. Six varieties are described, and the comparative results 

 obtained in growing the greater number of these by transplanting and 

 from seed sown in the open field are shown in tabular form. The 

 transplanted bulbs gave the ])est results in every instaru^e. Prizetaker 

 stood at the head of the varieties tested, whether transplanted or grown 

 from seed in the open field. The labor involved in the two methods 

 of onion culture are considered to be about the same. Directions for 

 irrigating onions are given. 



The Oregon prune: Its composition, food value, soil draft, G. W. 

 Shaw {Oregon Sta. Bnl. 61^ pp. 18). — This bulletin presents the results 

 of analyses of a large number of samples of fresh and cured Oregon 

 prunes. Previous work of a similar character at the station (E. S. 

 R., 9, p. 753) is reviewed. The results, showing the proportion of 

 flesh, juice, and pits, and the composition, are tabulated and summa- 

 rized. Some of these data follow. 



Composition of prunes. 



With reference to cured prunes the author states that — 



"The average of all analyses shows [Oregon] prunes to contain about seven times 

 as much edible matter as waste (pits) . The fruit which had satisfactory keeping 

 qualities carried about 20 per cent of water. From the observations made I do not 

 regard it as safe to leave a greater quantity of water than this in the fruit. In most 

 cases where the fruit carried over this there was a tendency toward mold. . . . The 

 fact that this product carries about 80 per cent of dry matter shows that it is of high 

 food value. About three-eighths of this is composed of the carbohydrates which 

 serve to develop energy and fat, hence prunes must be considered as essentially a 

 fattening food and should be used with other foods rich in nitrogen." 



The average results of ash analyses of prunes are given, and are dis- 

 cussed with reference to the draft on the soil. A fertilizer consisting 

 of 2,000 lbs. of air-slaked lime and 400 lbs, of muriate of potash is 

 suggested for prunes on Oregon soils. 



The resistance to drought of some American vines, C. Grimaldo 



{Prog. Agr. d Y'd. {Ed. LEd), 21 {1900), No. ^o^j^p- '/Ji-'/J.^).— The 



relative resistance to drought of some 70 hybrids and varieties of 



grapes grown in both sandy and clay soils is shown in tabular form. 



8873— No. \ i 



