New York AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 339 
one case where cow manure mixed with sawdust from the experi- 
ment cow stakle was substituted between two rows of apple trees. 
In addition to this, the test apple orchard has received an appli- 
cation of tankage from the cisterns in the manure platform, con- 
taining the urine and wash from the experiment cow stables and 
piggery, but was found on analysis to be so dilute that probably 
little benefit will be derived from it, but it is proposed to continue 
the applications, as more liquid will be available during the winter, 
containing less water. 
NOTES ON FRUITS. 
APPLES. °* 
The trees top-worked in 1883 have continued to make a vigor- 
ous growth. Nearly all blossomed and gave promise of a good 
crop. <A large percentage of them have borne some fruit, but in 
nearly all cases of such an inferior quality that it is impossible 
to judge of their merits or to make any comparison of the rela- 
tive value of the varieties. The following, comprising a very 
- small number of the varieties, have produced a large crop of fine 
fruit : 
Keswick Codlin. Small’s Admirable. 
Ben Davis. Duchess. 
Lord Suffield. Tetofsky. 
We will not attempt an explanation of these facts, or advance 
a theory as to the probable cause, but many questions are 
suggested which we mean to take into account in the future care 
and study of the trees. 
PEARS. 
The Kieffer pear is the only one in addition to the varieties 
reported on last year that has borne a crop of ‘fruit worthy of 
mention. The cions were top-grafted in 1883 on a seedling stock. 
Specimens of fruit have been gathered from it for two seasons 
past, and this year a half bushel of very fine fruit was picked 
from the tree on October ninth. 
_ The fruit was of good size and free from injury of insects or 
fungi. When ripened it was very handsome in appearance, 
- coloring to a bright golden yellow with a red. cheek where 
exposed to the sun, quality very inferior. But with its many 
strong points, vigor of tree, earliness of bearing, and freedom from 
