xxiv . Report of the Horticulturist. 



testing of varieties is of little avail. When the experimenter takes 

 up one or two distinct lines of variety tests and follows them year 

 l>y year, he should be able to produce results which are of distinct 

 value. 



IS'ext to the pomological interests in New York State are, per- 

 haps, the floricultural interests. These are being watched and 

 experiments are being made with many kinds of florist's plants. 

 Considerable attention has been given to the growing of Easter 

 lilies and to the effect of the electric lio'ht and other treatment of 

 the crop. These results have not been published. Coincident with 

 these are continuing experiments on the chrysanthemum. A large 

 line of annual flowers is being grown for the purpose of studying 

 varieties, methods of culture, and the like. The Station has also 

 had a very large collection of pelargoniums, and of these, after 

 many of the unimportant varieties are sorted out, the number now 

 comprises several hundred names. 



Some vears a^o the Horticultural Division undertook a series of 

 svstematic studies on the winter forcino^ of veo^etables. Whilst this 

 subject is not now neglected, it is nevertlieless the desire to give 

 chief attention during the winter months for a few years to the 

 forcing of fruits. Already nectarines, apricots, peaches and cherries 

 have been fruited with gratifying success, and the problems which 

 are associated with the industry are becoming understood. The 

 Division is also making a study of various problems associated with 

 the growing of mushrooms. 



The Division is also growing a full set of the peaches which com- 

 prise what is known as the national peach experiment. Duplicates 

 of these trees are growing in many of the experiment stations, and 

 it is expected that results of distinct value will be secured when the 

 fruiting period arrives. Although these trees were propagated in 

 Florida, they have withstood our climate remarkably well, only one 

 variety having failed outright. Some of the trees are bearing the 

 present season. 



The subjects associated with the spraying of plants are always to 

 the fore. The testing of new machinery and new mixtures is 

 carried on every year. However, the Department has taken the 

 ground that it does not desire to test all the new compounds which 



