748 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Experiment Station Work (U.S.A. Dcpt.Agr. Farmers Bull. 149, 

 pp. 1-27, 5 figs. ; 1902.— Contains : 



1. A comparison of the fertilising value of manure and "meadow 

 muck," or peat, from which it appears that the value of peat as a 

 fertiliser is too low to pay for transportation or any general use. 



2. A note on additional experiments in Potato culture, with results 

 which emphasise the importance of maintaining a sufficient supply of 

 humus in the soil to preserve moisture, and which also prove that tillage 

 during a drought may be overdone. Only so much is necessary at such 

 times as will keep the surface loose and thoroughly dry. The use of 

 Bordeaux mixture is recommended even where blight is not prevalent. 



3. A description of a model farmer's kitchen-garden which was 

 planted in the grounds of the Horticultural Department of the University 

 of Illinois. The idea was to provide a continual supply of vegetables 

 throughout the season at the least possible expenditure of time and 

 labour. The results showed an expenditure of seed that amounted to 

 £5.45, of labour valued at £26.11, and of 50 cents' worth of insecticides ; 

 total £32.06 for the season. 



In return for this a constant and varied supply of fresh vegetables 

 was available during the season, besides Sweet Corn for tinning, 

 Cucumbers, green Tomatos, &c. for pickling, and a supply of Cabbages, 

 Beets, &c. for the winter, together of the estimated value of £83.84, 

 showing a balance in favour of the garden of £51.78. 



4. Observations on the shrinkage or increase in weight of crops stored 

 under various conditions. 



Indian Corn is said to be the crop in which shrinkage after storing is 

 most evident, while Wheat harvested in the central valleys in California 

 may possibly increase 25 per cent, on transportation to a temperate 

 climate, and will almost certainly increase from 5 to 15 per cent. 

 Wheat allowed to become dead ripe before harvesting weighs slightly less 

 than when cut at the exact moment of readiness, largely no doubt 

 through the shelling of the grain. Experiments show that on the 

 degree of maturity at which hay is cut depends largely the extent to 

 which it will shrink during curing, the advantage being in favour of late- 

 cut hay. 



5. An account of experiments at the Arkansas Station in trans- 

 planting and manuring Musk Melons. These seem to show that the 

 period of maturity can be hastened two to three weeks by starting the 

 plants in hotbeds and transplanting afterwards, and that the best 

 and most economical method of fertilising is by applying well-rotted 

 farmyard manure to the surface of the "hills " and working it into the 

 soil. 



6. (lives hints on the fertiliser requirements of Strawberries collected 

 at various experimental stations. Strawberries are, by analysis, not an 

 exhausting crop to the soil, but in consequence of their comparatively 

 short period of growth in the early part of the year, they require rela- 

 tively large amounts of immediately available nitrogen, phosphoric acid, 

 and potash. 



AVell-rotted farmyard manure is the fertiliser most generally used and 

 recommended, but in places where its cost makes its use unwise, ashes 



