cii Department of Horticulture 



penclitures and income will, when tabulated, give the most reliable data on 

 the production of the leading vegetable crops of the State. 



Fertilicers. — An experiment with fertilizers with hubbard squash, for 

 determining the relative value of commercial fertilizers and manures 

 applied broadcast and in hills of squash, was begun this year and has 

 produced marked results. It is planned to continue it for one or two 

 seasons. 



Tomato experiments. — Studies have been made, in the field and under 

 glass, to ascertain the factors or conditions causing cracking of tomato 

 fruits. Examination has been made of the pollen of tomatoes grown with 

 different fertilizer applications, with respect to the setting of fruit. These 

 studies have been made by G. M. Ignatiev, a graduate student in the 

 Department. 



Oriental pears. — A study of the commercial status of the oriental pear 

 in the United States — an investigation by H. R. Cox under the direction 

 of Professor Craig — has been prepared for publication. 



extension 



The Department has given such assistance as it could by organizing 

 local vegetable-growers' associations. When possible, a representative of 

 the Department has met, for the discussion of vegetable problems, such 

 organizations as exist. Paul Work, instructor in vegetable-gardening, is 

 secretary of the New York State Vegetable Growers' Association. A 

 very successful and well-attended meeting of this association was held 

 at the College during Farmers' Week. The association was again instru- 

 mental in bringing together, at the New York State Fair, a large and 

 attractive exhibit illustrating various methods of packing vegetables. 



The florists of New York State met with the Department during 

 Farmers' Week and organized tlie New York State Federation of Floral 

 Clubs. All the important floricultural organizations of the State joined 

 the federation, and delegates were sent to the annual meeting at the State 

 Fair. 



The writer attended the meetings of the American Sweet Pea Society 

 at Boston and the American Gladiolus Society at Chicago, and reported 

 on the work in cooperation with special floricultural societies and on the 

 trial grounds. 



The annual meeting of the American Peony Society, held at the College 

 of Agriculture in June, was well attended. The Department placed on 

 exhibition all the varieties of peonies growing on the trial grounds, and 

 large numbers of persons visited the fields during the blooming season. 

 The cool weather was especially favorable to the plant, and the size of 



