Report of the Horticulturist. 33 



character of the land, we can not make extensive studies of fruit 

 plantations, and we must give increasingly greater attention to 

 subjects of intensive gardening. The greatest needs of the home 

 Division at present are still greater facilities in the forcing of 

 plants and extension of the experiments in ornamental plants 

 and decorative gardening. The extensive commercial fruit plan- 

 tations of New York State afford ample facilities in which to 

 study the question of fruit-growing in its fullness, with the 

 simple exception of the testing of varieties, an enterprise which, 

 however, we have never undertaken as a leading role in our 

 experiment work. But in some of the finer and intenser kinds 

 of horticultural work, as the forcing-house industry and others, 

 there is a great need, it seems to me, for increased facilities right 

 here. One of the next lines of effort which we must undertake, 

 and which is yet new to the experiment station research of the 

 country, is a line of studies in the forcing of fruits. Our ex- 

 periments in the forcing of vegetables, whilst not yet concluded, 

 have, nevertheless, reached the point at which we are able to 

 give rather definite advice respecting the commercial aspects 

 of the subject. 



It gives me the greatest pleasure to express my gratitude to 

 yourself and to all my associates for the most generous help 

 which has been given the work of my Division during the trying 

 responsibilities of the past three years. 



L. H. BAILEY. 

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