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the product of crosses and selections, comprised upwards of eight 

 acres. The results of this labor among cucurbits have been most 

 remarkable, and there is every indication that within a few years 

 we shall have attained practical and scientific results of value. 

 Crosses among egg-plants have also been considerable, and some 

 two hundred crossed plants were grown this year with very satis- 

 factory results. Crosses are also growing between various varie- 

 ties of tomatoes. Extensive hybridizations have been made be- 

 tween the different species of raspberries, between raspberries and 

 blackberries, and between blackberries and dewberries. Some- 

 thing over two hundred and fifty successful hybridizations were 

 performed last year. Hybridizations were also made last year 

 between two species of gooseberries, but unfortunately the fruits 

 were lost. Extensive experiments are now under way to deter- 

 mine to what extent color can be regulated by crossing and hy- 

 bridization. This work is now being prosecuted with coleus, 

 mimulus, silene, phlox, tomatoes, and other plants. Experi- 

 ments in hybridization are also progressing in many other lines. 



In the winter of 1889-90, houses A and B were devoted to ex- 

 periments to determine what influence the electric light has upon 

 the growth of plants. Certain experiments have been conducted 

 abroad upon this subject with nearly diametrically opposite re- 

 sults, and the statements of gardeners in this country concerning 

 the influence of street lights upon greenhouse work and of elec- 

 tric lights upon flowers on exhibition, have led us to undertake 

 this experiment, which has been prosecuted at considerable ex- 

 pense. House B was lighted by electricity during every night 

 during last January, February, March, and part of April, receiv- 

 ing sun-light during the day time, while house A was kept under 

 ordinary conditions. Each of the four benches running length- 

 wise of the house was planted continuously. Peas, endives, 

 spinage, radishes, and lettuce were the chief subjects of the ex- 

 periments, although some flowering plants were used. The re- 

 sults were marked in every case, so much so that it was deter- 

 mined to repeat the experiment during the present winter under 

 somewhat different conditions. During last winter the electric 

 light was run all night. We procured an engine and dynamo 

 and made the electricity ourselves. This year we are making 

 the test under what might be called practical conditions, by run- 

 ning a street lamp into the houses. This runs only half the 



