852 EXPEKIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Top-vTorking apple trees, G. H. Powell {Delaware Sta. Bui. 48., 

 'pp. 16.^ ^f [/■■<. IJ). — A popular discussion of the methods and advan- 

 tages of top- working apple trees. Using a hardy, vigorous, straight- 

 growing variety as a stock on which to top-work the permanent 

 orchard, the advantages of the method are summarized as follows: 



"It provides a healthy, strong trunk for all varieties, corrects the poor growth of 

 some, overcomes the tenderness of others in the far north, and sometimes makes a 

 stronger system of roots. It gives the grower a chance to select the buds or scions 

 from trees of steady productiveness, hardy foliage, and highly colored fruit. It is 

 said to hasten fruitfulness. 



"The stock should he of a vigorous-growing variety as free as possible from body 

 troubles. The Spy makes an ideal stock, and the Ben Davis, Baldwin, Lily of Kent, 

 Tallman Sweet, and Astrachan are in use. Seedling stocks are undesirable, as no 2 

 of them arealike. . . . Body budding seems to be the most desirable method." 



E2:periinents on the use of nitrate of soda in the culture of 

 grapes, E. Marre {Frog. Agr. et Vit. {Ed. L'Ed), 21 {1900), M. 50, 

 pp. 716-720), — Nitrate of soda was used in the culture of a number of 

 varieties of grapes on different soils. The average increase in the 

 yield of the nitrate over control plats was a little more than 23 per 

 cent. The conclusions of theauthor are practicall}' as follows: Nitrate 

 of soda, whether used alone or combined with barnyard manure or com- 

 mercial fertilizers, always increased the j'ield at a profit. Dr}- weather 

 diminished the beneficial action of nitrate of soda, which was most 

 eflfective after rains. Applj'ing nitrate at 2 different times and work- 

 ing it into the soil seemed to give the best results. The nitrate was 

 most effective in the presence of phosphatic manures. 



Experiments -with manures on vines, E. Zacharewicz {Prog. 

 Agr. et Vit. {Ed. EEst), 21 {1900), No. 51, pi). 753-760).— The value 

 of nitrate of soda in addition to phosphoric acid and potash for vines 

 was determined in plat experiments in 3 different localities. The 

 fertilizers were applied between the rows and worked in. The addi- 

 tion of the nitrogen to the phosphoric acid and potash greatlj' increased 

 the yields in every instance, besides hastening the maturity of the 

 fruit and improving its quality. It is believed that this effect will be 

 best obtained when the potash and phosphoric acid are applied broad- 

 cast between the rows in December or Januar}-, and the nitrate of soda 

 in March or April, and thoroughly worked into the soil. 



The herbaceous vine graft, Trabut {Bui. Ayr. Algerie et Tioii.nc, 6 {WOO), No. 

 ll,p]i. 307,308, fig. 1). — Budding in August and the English or Lafleur method of 

 lierl)aceous grafting are described. 



Crossing' and hybridizing, F. Dorxek {Amcr. Florht, 10 {1900), Xo. 657, pp. 

 752, 753). — Paper read by the autlior before a late meeting of the Indiana Horticul- 

 tural Society. 



New food yam, Dioscorea fargesii, D. Bois {Rev. Ilort, 72 {1900), No. 24, pp. 

 684, GS5, fig 1). — This yam, which has been grown to a limited extent in private gar- 

 dens, is described. The vine is hardy. The tubers are spherical and rather small, 



