A portion of this bulletin, by S. T. Maynard, is devoted to horticultural matters. Many tests of fruits and vegetables are reported, but the results are expressed almost wholly in figures, from which it is unsafe to draw statements of general relative merits of varieties, A brief summary of a table, or a succinct statement concerning the general merits of each sort, is desirable, even when tables are well made, as here.

Dr. Jabez Fisher, under Professor Maynard's directions, has made trials in girdling the grape vine to hasten maturity. Dr. Fisher remarks as follows concerning his trials:

"July 5. I girdled one of the two bearing arms on each of sixty Concord grape vines by taking out a ring of bark half an inch long near the trunk of the vine. As a result these grapes showed color August 12, six days before those on the opposite half of the same vines. They were fit for market September 20, the berries being then from 30 per cent. to 40 per cent. larger and much sweeter than the others. October 1 they still were sweeter than those not treated, which latter were then ripe, but the first had a somewhat insipid taste without the refreshing sparkle of the others. * * * The results, so far as they are apparent from this trial, show a gain of ten days in fitness for market, with largely increased size of berries. The drawbacks are, in a season as wet as the past, a loss of from 20 per cent. to 40 per cent. of the berries by cracking open, and the production of berries too soft to bear carriage. Both of these drawbacks would be lessened in a drier season, though not overcome in my experience, and there would be a decided diminution in quality for connoisseurs.

Add to this the harm which may come to the vine from the operation repeated year after year, but which is not yet settled." Chemical analyses made by Dr. Goessmann show more sugar in fruit from girdled vines than from others. Professor Maynard draws the following general conclusions : "It will be seen by this report, as in our previous reports, that there is a decided gain in the time of ripening of the fruit, which will enable us to grow many late varieties not possible without it; that a gain of ten days would make a great difference in the price of the fruit; that there is no loss of sugar, and the increased size of the fruit would make it very attractive and more than make up for the softness of the berry. This latter condition can be of little objection, as most of the grapes of New England are sold in local markets".

The Muscadines.

Hatch Experiment Station Of Massachusetts #1

The horticultural portion of this bulletin, by S. T. Maynard, was reviewed last month, save that the following paragraphs were omitted.

Many varieties of sweet corn, of which samples were grown in New England and some of the Middle States, were tested for the purpose of determining what influence locality may have upon the quality. Chemical analyses were made " when the kernels were just passing from the milk." The results were indifferent. Sulphate of copper placed in a Paris green mixture and sprayed on potatoes, appeared to check rot.

Experiments of last year have been repeated. Lime, cement and Paris green washes are all good. Their adhesiveness can be increased by the addition of skim milk. A paint is made of Portland cement and milk, and to each two gallons a tablespoonful of Paris green is added. L. H. B.