FRUIT-GROWING AND PRESERVING. 63- 



complete nutrient solution, other series being fed with nutrient 

 solutions from which one of the following has been omitted, 

 viz., nitrogen, potash, phosphoric acid, calcium, magnesium; 

 whilst one series of each receive rain-water only. 



As the experiments have been in progress over one season 

 only, it is undesirable to refer in detail to the interesting results 

 that have been obtained, which require confirmation before 

 definite conclusions can be drawn. As regards the apple trees 

 it may be said, briefly, that detailed observations have been made 

 regarding the character of the leaves in the several series, the 

 time of fall of the leaves, the length of total shoot-growth made 

 during the season, the appearance of the barks of the trees, 

 and the development of the root systems. The question of Hability 

 to leaf " scorch " has received special attention. It was shown 

 in the case of the apple trees grown in sand that leaf " scorch " 

 developed when the trees were fed with a complete food solution. 

 " Scorch " did not develop under similar treatment when soil 

 was used in place of sand. Further, the amount of leaf " scorch " 

 was greatly increased when potash was omitted from the nutrient 

 solution and slightly increased when magnesium was omitted. 

 The omission of phosphoric acid and calcium tended to mitigate 

 " scorch." No leaf " scorch " was developed on any tree in this 

 experiment when fed with a nutrient solution from which nitrogen 

 was omitted or when treated with water only. Further experi- 

 ments carried out on broad beans indicated that bright sunlight 

 favours the development of leaf " scorch." 



At East Mailing field manurial trials with Black Currants, 

 true to name, have been in progress for seven years. The primary 

 object was to test the effect of quantities of dung alone, and dung 

 with the addition of artificial potash and phosphates, upon the 

 setting and weight of fruit. Very definite results have shown 

 that under these soil conditions comparatively generous dressings 

 of dung annually have nearly quadrupled the crop as compared 

 with the untreated plot. The additions of potash and phos- 

 phates have yielded quite negative results. These experiments. 

 are now in course of repetition with another variety and upon 

 more extensive lines, the main object being to test the value, 

 compared with dung, of various other organic and largely nitro- 

 genous manures. 



Fruit Breeding. 



Simultaneously with the research going on in various directions 



to find out the best method of dealing with varieties of fruit 



already in existence, an effort is being made to raise new varieties 



of the different kinds of hardy fruits, which will possess the 



