DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 103 



ure, and includes a plan of experiments begun in the apple orchard in culti- 

 vating the trees in various ways ; various modes of catching codling moths, 

 crossing apple blossoms, begin the arboretum, and plats of grasses, clovers, 

 and the like; exhibit labeled bunches of 120 species of grasses at the State 

 fair. 



1874. This report contains tlie results of experiments on apples infested 

 with worms; the length of roots of fruit trees. A new greenhouse of four 

 rooms was built, costing about $9,000; rustic bridges, arbors, and summer 

 houses built; zinc labels placed on trees or labels of wood in the ground for 

 trees on the lawns and in the orchards; cross-fertilize apple blossoms ; raise 

 800 new seedling potatoes; measure length of roots of corn, parsnips, clover, 

 grass; hybridize wild and cultivated crab apples; raise 500 seedling grapes, 

 some new seedlings of pears, cherries, quinces; 800 new raspberries; 1,000 or 

 more new strawberries; 150 new currants; 300 new gooseberries; try protect- 

 ing peach trees by burying and by litter; test named varieties of potatoes. 



1875. This contains a phm of stndent's work ; start samples of 20 differ- 

 ent kinds of hedges; exhibit bunclies of grasses and GO named sorts of living 

 plants of weeds at the State fair, also a banana in fruit; introduce a plan for 

 teaching horticulture in small classes in the orchards and gardens. My report 

 this year was issued in bulletins and printed wholly or in part in about 130 

 diiierent newspapers; experiments on killing weeds; notes on improving 

 onions; experiments with many sorts of potatoes; raise more new gooseberries, 

 raspberries, grapes; collect timber for a State exhibit at the Centennial, for 

 which the College receives a diploma for "magnificent collection of forest 

 woods;" send 250 named sorts of potatoes to the Centennial and receive a 

 diploma; also 120 labeled bunches of prominent grasses, about which the 

 official report says : " The collection of dried grasses was the most extensive 

 in the Agricultural department and perfect in nomenclature." The report 

 also contains my account of the best mode of killing quack grass; manage- 

 ment of compost heaps and dry earth closets; crossing tomatoes; testing 41 

 sorts of Japan vegetables; urge the Board of Agriculture to establish farmers' 

 institutes; lecture at Institute on "Grasses" and on "Pruning Apple Trees;" 

 lecture at State Teachers' Association and twice for County Teachers-' Associ- 

 ation. 



1876. In this I report in detail the results of experiments in the apple 

 orchard; experiments on thinning apples; use of lime, plaster, sour milk, 

 vinegar, etc., to cattle or drive off codling moths; will potatoes run out? raise 

 more new varieties; start a new pear orchard; lecture at three farmers' 

 clubs, twenty-five granges, and some more than once; three literary societies, 

 one high school, four farmers' institutes; paper on the farmer's garden; lec- 

 ture at farmers' institutes on " The Apple Orchard" and on "Horticultural 

 Experiments." 



1877. Account of experiments for several years to determine the value of 

 bumble bees in fertilizing red clover; cross flowers of wheat; begin to improve 

 a sort of Indian corn; test root pruning; study the ilowering of timothy; 

 experiment on the food of moles, and witli many sorts of potatoes; test toma- 

 toes for earliness and value; lecture at four farmers' institutes on "Starting 

 an Apple Orchard" and on "Testing Seeds," especially seeds sold in small 

 packages at the groceries, and seeds of grasses and clovers. 



1878. This year the report notices lecture at four farmers' institutes on 

 *' Improving Grains, Fruits, and Vegetables." This lecture includes a report 

 of some experiments made for the first time in this country on the plan of 



