immensely and some groves at the end of the third year were holding enough fruit to pay the cost of erecting the shed, while the trees outside of the sheds had been cut back repeatedly and were not much larger than at the close of 1896. These conditions stimulated the building of sheds to such an extent that one grove owner had a mill erected to saw lumber to be used in erecting sheds over his groves.

The types of citrus sheds varied considerably from those with a permanent cover giving a half shade to those with removable cover giving full sunlight during the portion of the year when no frosts occur. Many sheds were provided with tops that could be opened and closed in a way somewhat similar to a window shutter, it being the object to give the maximum amount of sunlight during warm days and to close the top during the critical temperature. In addition to the shedding of groves other devices were used. Among them may be mentioned two forms of tents, the square, box tent of E. O. Painter and the round of McFarland. In addition to these tents kerosene lamps were provided for each to be lighted under the tents during severely cold nights.

Sufficient time has now elapsed to enable us to see definite effects from the use of sheds and other devices for protecting citrous trees. All the devices which protected the trees during the mimimum temperatures and removed during the warm weather proved very successful so far as tree growth was concerned. The sunlight being obstructed for only a short time, no visible effect could be observed as a direct result of this factor.

The structures that produce a permanent half shade, which has been most extensively used, give us some very interesting results. This is especially true when it is compared with the high board fence or wind break. During the first year the trees under a half shade make a very vigorous growth, larger than that out of shed, but the wood is not as large in diameter nor the side branches as numerous. The leaves are less numerous and consequently occur at greater intervals. The leaves have a greater area but are thinner. The total leaf area is considerably reduced in spite of the fact that the area of each leaf is greater.

The appearance of leaves may be noted by comparing plates II and III. Plate V is from a photograph taken in the shed shown on the left of plate II. In addition to this it will be noticed that the trees under the shed have a much more upright growth than that occurring on trees in the open. The skin has a smoothness of morocco and very thin. This is a correlative character with the thin leaves. Plates II and III show the same varieties on identical soil; in fact, were it not for the shed making a diversion the two plates would be from the same grove.

Plate IV is very interesting in this connection in that it shows a grove of a different variety, the China (Mandarin) grown on

a totally different soil, the close, heavy, compact, clay soil of the Mississippi below New Orleans. The shed in plate IV is constructed to produce one-third shade during the warm weather and total shade during critical weather. This variety (China) normally produces a very dense bush tree. The plate however shows that it is of upright habit and open growth under shed. It shows pretty conclusively that the modified conditions produced under a shed have a very strong influence on the character and shape of growth.

By comparing plates II and V we get an idea of the advantages of having a wind break. The wind break represented to the left in plate II was constructed seven years ago while that shown in plate V had been constructed only two weeks previous to taking the photograph. Both plates are from photographs of the same grove frozen to the ground in the freezes of 1894-95. The row in the foreground of plate V being a continuation of the row shown at the right in plate IV, the soil being identical in both cases and the grove under the same management. The separate views being portions of the same row there is no doubt as to the correctness of the statement that both portions had received the same intelligent

attention.

Each row, in an orchard of this kind, becomes a wind break for each succeeding row, so that one wind break is sufficient for the entire orchard. Where no wind break occurs the good effect produced by the even slight wind break afforded by the young trees is cumulative, so that the trees five to fifteen rows from the border will be very much better than the first row. This is partially brought out in plate V. The second row is much larger than the first, but this row is slightly lower than the first, giving it the additional advantage of the slight change in elevation.

Conclusion.

1. The physical changes induced by shedding are:

1. Equalization of temperature.

2. In creased humidity.

3. Greatly increased water contents of the upper foot of soil.

Plate I.

1. Pine apples produced an increased crop of over twenty-five per cent.

2. (a) Citrus trees produce the finest fruits, but a
smaller quantity.

(b) The general effect on citrus is unfavorable.
(c) A wind break for citrus is of great advantage.

Explanation of Plates.

Pine apples under shed constructed of cyprus laths, pine boards and pine posts. The view shows the growth

Plate II.

at a corner.

The posts standing seven feet high, the tallness of the pineapples at the edge may be compared with those further under the shed. Ordinarily the best plants occur at the edge of a bed.

Citrus shed at left with a typical growth of orange trees at right. Shed five years old.

Plate III. Four year old Indian River orange grove under the shed seen at left on plate II. Compare density of foliage with plate II.

Plate IV. China (Mandarin) orange grove in

Louisiana under

Plate V.

one-third shade. On heavy clay soil.

Wind break at left just completed. Row of trees in foreground continuation of row at right of plate II. Compare with piate II. for effect of wind break.

A FEW FACTS OBTAINED BY GROWING VEGETABLES IN A CHEESECLOTH ENCLOSURE IN 1903.

W. T. Macoun, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa.

No experiments had been conducted in Canada as far as the writer is aware in shading crops with cheesecloth until 1902, when an interesting test was made with vegetables by Mr. Graham Bell, at his Canadian home at Baddeck, Cape Breton, N. S. In these experiments it was found that the temperature was higher inside the enclosure, that lettuce and beans were tenderer, and that tomatoes ripened earlier, although the crop was not as large as outside.

At the Central Experimental Farm two small enclosures were made this year. In one which was 24x17 feet in area different kinds of vegetables were grown, and in the other, which was 62x14 feet, the Sumatra, Pennsylvania Seed Leaf, and Connecticut Seed Leaf varieties of tobacco were tested. These enclosures were completely covered on top and sides, and ends, with cheesecloth. Owing to the very cool, wet summer which was unfavorable to a test of this kind, especially with tobacco, the results in most respects were by no means conclusive. The experiment with tobacco may be dismissed with the mere statement that the tobacco plants grew better inside the enclosure and were better matured and the leaves were nearly all perfect, while outside they were broken by the wind and injured by the soil. The texture of the leaf was lighter inside than outside.

In the other enclosure a number of kinds of vegetables were tested, the same varieties being grown just outside for compari

was too wet and cool son. As was already stated, the season to get conclusive results, but the following notes are interesting and may be suggestive:

All the vegetables inside grew better at first than those outside and some continued to grow better until the end of the season. Lettuce, sown June 10:-The plants grew almost equally as well inside as outside the enclosure. Outside they were two to four days earlier in being ready for use than inside.

Beets, sown June 10:-The tops were about as good inside as outside, but when they were pulled it was found that the crop of roots outside weighed 221⁄2 lbs., while that inside was only 9 lbs.

Radish, sown June 10:-Radish was ready for use inside fully three days before those outside. The radishes inside were per

fectly free from maggots, while those outside were practically worthless. Those inside grew to a large size before losing their crispness.

three

Beans, sown June 10:-The beans were ready for use days earlier inside than outside, and the plants were about as vigorous. There were 11 quarts of green beans inside, as against 14 quarts outside.

Egg Plants, Water Melons, and Musk Melons, planted June 10: These were all failures as regards crop, both inside and outside, owing to the cool and wet summer, but all plants grew well in both places. Hand pollination would be necessary to insure a crop even in a favorable season, as few or no insects could get into the enclosure.

Cauliflower, Planted June 10:-The root maggot attacked those outside badly, while those inside, though injured some in the cold frame before transplanting, were not affected inside the enclosure.

Cucumbers, planted June 10:-Although the plants grew well, no cucumbers set inside until autumn, at which time a few rents in

the cloth permitted insects to enter. There was only a small crop

outside owing to the unfavorable season.

Tomatoes, planted June 10:-The plants grew well inside, but were never as robust as those outside. The first tomatoes ripened inside on July 15th., and outside on July 21st., six days later. The crop of ripe fruit was 55 lbs. 2 ozs. outside, and only 15 lbs. 8 ozs. inside, but there was twice as much ripe fruit before the middle of August inside than out.

Corn, planted June 10:-This grew more rapidly inside than out at first, but later on was not as robust.

The rain came through the enclosure as a mist, and hence the soil was not compacted the way it was outside. Light frosts which injured vegetables outside did not injure those inside.

While the vegetables were growing, daily records, with the exception of Sundays, were kept of the temperature inside and

outside the enclosure. From June 12th, until July 1st the readings were made at 7 a. m., and 1 p. m., and after that date until October 26th the temperature was taken at 4 p. m. as well. The temperatures taken at 7 a. m. in June and July are not considered in the average as the position of the thermometer in the enclosure was found afterwards to favor it somewhat at that reading. The thermometer was changed on August 1st. The average temperatures during the summer months up to September 1st were.

The average temperature for September and October was:

As will be seen from the above, the temperature averages higher inside than out. The greatest difference was 9 degrees.

Following is the description and cost of the enclosure for tobacco. The enclosure for vegetables was partly made of rough material, trees grown on the farm being used for posts, hence a fair estimate cannot be given of the cost, but the tobacco enclosure was all made of bought material.

The enclosure was 62 feet long by 16 feet wide, by 6 feet 6 in. high, these measurements being used to suit the width of the cheesecloth, the strips of which were 40 inches wide. Scantlings 2x4 inches were sunk 18 inches in the ground and about 8 feet apart, and when set were 6 feet 6 inches above the ground.

Scantlings 2x4 inches were then nailed along the tops of these and across at every upright scantling for an upper framework, while along the base six-inch boards were nailed for the same purpose. Braces of 2x4 inch scantling were used at the corner posts inside to strengthen the framework. A doorway was left in one corner. The cheesecloth was fastened to the frame by laths through which nails were driven. A wire was stretched across the top of the enclosure to prevent the cheesecloth from flapping and tearing.

Although there were several very severe wind storms and heavy rain storms during the summer, during which many trees were blown down, this enclosure stood well.