458 Agricultural Experiment Station, Ithaca, N. Y. 



It is plain from these figures that there was no uniform varia- 

 tion in the quality of the tomatoes. The dififerences are as wide 

 between different fruits of the same plot as between the different 

 plots. The variations in sugar in tlie samples from the same plot 

 are well shown in 5, 5a and 5b, in which the readings run from 

 .09 to 1.22. We hope to repeat the experiment the coming 

 season. 



THE VETCH OR TAHE AS AN ORGHABD PLAJNT. 



Orchard lands are nearly always benefited by some cover or 

 mulch during a part of the year, especially during faU and winter. 

 One of the values of sod lies in the protection to the soil, but a 

 sod can not be obtained in a single season. If orchards can be 

 cultivated in spring and early summer and then protected with 

 some growth which will shade the soil and keep it moist during 

 the remainder of the warm weather and afford some protection 

 from frost during winter, the best results wiU undoubtedly be 

 obtained, as a rule. This cover crop should also afford fertilizing 

 materials to the soil when turned under, and greatly improve the 

 mechanical character of the soil as well. 



The leguminous plants — those belonging to the clover family ■ ~ 

 at once suggest themselves because they are rich in nitrogen, and 

 may, therefore, serve both as cover and fertilizer. We have tried 

 mixed beans and field peas, but there are objection? to both, 

 although either one is probably better than weeds or bare ground. 

 This year we have tried the European vetch or tare { Vicla saliva), 

 seed of which we obtained of J. M. Thornburn & (>o., New York. 

 This plant is grown for forage in England. A half bushel of 

 seed was sown June sixteenth upon five-eighths of an acre of heavy 

 clay loam. It was sown broadcast upon a freshly prepared sur- 

 face, and well dragged in. The seed could have been sown later 

 with equally as good effect, .no doubt, and the cultivation of the 

 orchard could have been continued for ten days or two weeks 

 longer. 'Hie young trees of pear, plum and apricot have made 

 an excellent growth this year among the vetch. The vetch started 

 somewhat slowly and the seeding seemed to have been too thin; 



