NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



475 



other varieties should be introduced. To replant occasional rows, or 

 individual trees scattered through the pear area, would mean con- 

 tinued loss for several years. A quicker method is to work over, by 

 grafting on the present trees, a scion of a second distinct variety 

 working only one leader of the tree, grafting only every second or 

 third tree, or occasional trees may be wholly worked over with the 

 new kind. 



As a temporary and immediate expedient, a jar containing water 

 may be placed in the crown of the tree, when the tree is in flower, and 

 in this some sprays of another variety of pear bloom may be placed, 

 ■ so that the second variety will be there for the action of the bees and 

 other insects. — C. H. H. 



Prunus and Pyrus Varieties. By E. Goerze {Oester. Gart. Zeit. 

 vol. VI., pt. 3, pp. 87-90; pt. 4, pp. 137-142; pt. 5, pp. 180-186).— 

 This is a list of the varieties of Prunus and Pyrus with their native 

 ^habitat and date of introduction into Europe. — S. E. W. 



PotatOS, Degenepation of (Jour. Soc. Nat. Hort. Fr. series iv. 

 vol. xii. Feb. 1911, p. 113).- — A note on the rapid degeneration of 

 imported varieties of potato in France. To combat this degeneration 

 the constant raising of seedlings is said to be indispensable. A large 

 proportion of such seedlings will be- worthless, but among them will 

 always be found some of value. Growers are also recommended to 

 anake careful choice of the tubers for reproduction and to select what 

 proves to be a suitable variety for the conditions under which it is to 

 be grown. — M. L. H. 



^ Potato, Grafts on the. By Lucien Daniel (Rev. Hort., Jan. 16, 

 1911, pp. 37-39; 3 illus.). — An interesting article on the results of 

 grafting the tomato and nightshade (Solatium nigrum) on the potato, 

 dealing particularly with the resulting formation of the tubers which, 

 according to the author, conclusively proves that the old theory that 

 with grafting both stock and scion absolutely maintain their characters 

 and autonomy must be regarded as demolished, and not for the first 

 ,iiime, each exercising an obvious effect upon the other. — C. T. D. 



Potato Fertilizers. By W. H. Jordan and F. A. Sirrine 

 [U.S.A. Exy. Stn. New York, Bull. 327, Dec. 1910).— Tests were 

 ;nade in three localities during four successive years to compare broad- 

 cast applications of commercial fertilizers on potato fields with applica- 

 ions in the row, and to compare organic nitrogen (from dried blood) 

 vith inorganic nitrogen (from nitrate of soda). The results were not 

 'ery conclusive, drought interfering seriously with the tests. — A. P. 



Potato Industry in Colorado. By C. L. Fitch and E. R. 

 Bennett {U.S.A. Exp. Stn. Colorado, Bull. 175; November 19U); 

 igs.). — An account of the cultivation of the potato under dry-farming 

 'onditions. The chief diseases affecting the plants in Colorado, and 

 he injurious insects are also dealt with. — F. J. C. 



