141 



Golden Dawn (ilendersoa;. — Vigorous grower; fruit large, bright yellow. 

 Prolific and medium early. 



Coral Gem (Northrup and Braslan). — A dwarf variety ; fruit small oval, bright 

 scarlet; held upright in such a manner as to make it a very desirable pot-grown 

 plant for house decoratnon. Useful, also, for pickling. 



Tomatoes. 



The work of testing the old, and the many new varieties constantly being intro- 

 duced, was carried on again this year. The experimental jjlots contained fifty-seven 

 varieties of eight plants each. The seed was sown in boxes in the green-house on 

 16th March, pricked into other boxes 2 inches apart on 10th April, and potted 

 about three weeks later, using 3-inch pots. Setting out was delayed consider- 

 ably by the cold weather of May, and did not take place until 4th June. 



In testing the seed of each variety much variation was found. The highest per 

 cent found to germinate in any case was 92 and the lowest 20 per cent. 

 The aveiage vitality of the entire collection was found to be 63-1 per cent. In view 

 of this wide variation, it is essential, for market gardeners especially, to carefully 

 test samples of seed in advance of the sowing period, in order to gain an intelligent 

 idea of the probable return, and quantity of seed required. Where considei-able 

 quantities are used, it will be economical to purchase at an early date, small samples 

 for testing purposes before ordering the main supply. 



With a view of testing the effect of mulching as a rot preventive, a strip running 

 across the plots, including several varieties, was heavily mulched with coarse strawy 

 manure, containing, however, a very small proportion of fertilizing material. The 

 fruit was carefully examined, at various times during the ripening season, but no 

 appreciable difference in quality or quantity could be detected, although the crop of 

 fruit on the mulched strip was somewhat later in ripening than on those unmulched. 

 In this and similar climates it is of prime importance to select early-ripening 

 varieties, start them early, transplant or re-pot frequently, and set out strong plants 

 after danger of spring frosts is past. 



The following list includes the twelve earliest varieties, all set out on 4th June: 

 Electric or earliest (Northrup, Braslan, Goodwin & Co.) gave the first ripe fruit on 

 26th July, followed by King Humbert, Atlantic, Early Ruby, Early Advance, Con- 

 queror, Acme, Canada Victor, Mikado, Hathaway, Cumberland Red, Thorbwn's Long 

 Keeper. 



The following twelve varieties gave the largest yield of ripe fruit up to 

 15th September : — 



Hubbard's Early, General Grant, 



King Humbert, Henderson's 400 (Ponderosa), 



Horsford's Prelude, Conqueror, 



Mikado, Canada Victor, 



Early Ruby, Cumberland Red, 



Thorburn's Long Keeper, Hathaway. 



The following twelve varieties gave the largest yield of fruit ripening before 

 frost: — 



Horsford's Prelude, Canada Victor, 



Thorburn's Long Keeper, Cumberland Red, 



Essex Hybrid, Climax, 



Hubbard's Early, Volunteer, 



Mikado, Mitchell's No. 1, 



Golden Queen, Conqueror. 



EFFECT OP DIFFERENT FERTILIZERS. 



The accompanying 'table gives the results from the use of various fertilizers as 

 affecting productiveness. The soil upon which the plants were grown was in a fair 

 state of fertility, and ordinarily would not be considered as needing manure of any 

 kind ; yet it will be seen that the application of the different fertilizers was in each 

 ease helpful. 



