By T. L. Brunk and H. S. Jennings. Pp. 29. Illustrated. Professor Brunk has undertaken an investigation to show what influence the stock may have upon certain varieties of pears. He has undertaken to show the behavior of the European or French pear stock as compared with trees grown upon their own roots, or practically from cuttings. He has also investigated the desirability of using apple stocks for pears. He has confined his attention chiefly to the Le Conte and Keiffer. Concerning the behavior of these pears upon the French and apple stock, he draws the following conclusions:

(1) Wherever the stocks are set deep enough, the roots invariably start out from the cion, and the number and strength of these roots is proportionate to the amount of scion below ground. "This tendency to make its own roots and discard the French stock, and to grow thriftily when the point of graft is set below the surface of the soil, has led some to the erroneous belief that the Le Conte grows as well on the French stock as on its own roots. It is no sign or proof that a tree is growing upon a particular stock because it is grafted upon it".

(2) Whenever the stock was set so high that the scion could not throw out roots, the stock outgrew the scion in every case, forming an ugly enlargement, which indicates a point of weakness. Peculiar excres-censes are also thrown out from the top of the stock. These are abnormal growths, composed of both bark and wood, and are often as large as a hen's egg. They are often found upon Le Conte and Keiffer pears grown upon French stocks.

(3) Trees forced to grow upon the French stock alone were found to be less vigorous in their growth than those upon their own roots. There are also indications that these varieties are more precocious when growing upon the French stock than other-wise, but they bear less, and are shorter lived. "The Le Conte and Keiffer grafted upon the French stock wil not live more than about seven years, if forced to grow on that stock. In all of my correspondence, only three recommended the use of the French stock for the Le Conte and Keiffer pears, while many, without solicitation upon my part, stated that they believed the Le Conte to be the best stock for European pears." Professor Brunk finds that when the scion is set deep enough to allow roots to form, the French or apple stock is thrown off after a few years and becomes useless. It therefore serves only as a mother to nourish the cutting for a time. He does not discourage the use of the French or apple stock if a long scion is used and it is deeply set; but to force trees to grow upon these stocks alone is certainly bad practice. It is better still to grow Le Conte and Keiffer pears from cuttings whenever practicable.

Apple stocks are not so good as pear stocks, because they sucker more, although they may be used to advantage because of their cheapness, upon soil where Le Conte and Keiffer do not root easily. A number of replies from different parts of the south, to questions concerning the propagation of pears, are given in the bulletin.

Composltlon of Apples.

Blackberries In Missouri.

The larger part of them favor the growing of the Le Conte and Keiffer upon their own roots.

H. S. Jennings, assistant in horticulture and botany, gives a considerable list, with notes, of the parasitic fungi of Texas.

Stocks for Le Conte end Keiffer Pears.