NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



791 



Pear Experiments. By Rev. John B. Katzner (U.S.A. Hort. 

 Soc, Minnesota, Trans. 1912 ; pp. 377-382). — The writer, having 

 tried some fifty American and European varieties and found that 

 they could not endure the rigours of the climate, has directed his 

 efforts to raising pears from seed obtained from hardy varieties. His 

 first experimental plot of 200 seedlings were root-killed by a tempera- 

 ture of 40 0 below zero, though the stems were not injured. Some 

 of these were grafted on apple roots, when they grew readily, and, 

 when transplanted two years later, had grown their own roots and 

 the apple roots were cut away. All except two, however, eventually 

 succumbed. The two are making good trees, and, from experiments 

 made, the writer hopes to be able to grow good varieties of pears on 

 these hardy stocks. In raising pear seedlings in such a severe climate 

 it is necessary to protect them by covering them completely with 

 earth the first two winters, and after that the choosing of the orchard 

 site is a very important matter. Pear trees seem to arrive at their 

 greatest degree of hardiness when they are past their infancy. — A. P. 



Pear Thrips in New York. By P. J. Parrott (Jour. Econ. 

 Entom. vol. v. pp. 184-188, April 1912). — Euthrips ftyri was found 

 attacking pears to an injurious extent in New York, and it was found 

 that spraying with a nicotine wash proved an effective remedy. 



F. J. C. 



Pears, Oriental, and their Hybrids. By H. R. Cox (U.S.A. 

 Exp. Sin., Cornell, Bull. 332, 22 pp. ; 16 plates). — An account of the 

 introduction of Pyrus sinensis into America, and the hybrids which 

 have been made with the varieties of Pyrus communis. 



The best-known representative, the ' Keiffer,' is said to be of pleasant 

 flavour when grown in certain localities, but the main reason of the 

 extended culture of this and similar Pears in the United States is 

 their ability to stand the prolonged droughts and hot suns of the 

 Southern States. 



Full cultural details are given, gathered from a large area of varying 

 soils and climates, and descriptions of prominent varieties. Of 

 interest from the genetic standpoint as showing the predominating 

 influence of P. sinensis in all crosses. — E. A. Bd. 



Pears, Super-grafting of. By V. Enfer (Rev. Hort. pp. 346-347, 

 Aug. 1, 1913). — Records of results of grafting better varieties on such 

 as are already established but found to be unsatisfactory, in this 

 way obviating gaps and improving orchards with saving of time, 

 trouble, and expenditure. — C. T. D. 



Pecans, New (U.S.A. Dep. Agr., Year Book 1912, p. 273 ; col. 

 plate). — Five new varieties, ' Major,' ' Burkett,' 'Warrick,' ' Flavens,' 

 and ' Owens,' are described and figured. They are all considered 

 worthy of extended trial. — E. A. Bd. 



