BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY. 459 



work is progressing slowly but satisfactorily. Several promising 

 strains are under test. 



First-generation hybrids. — A test to determine the value of first- 

 generation hybrids as a source of fruit production was inaugurated 

 with tomatoes. A number of standard sorts were crossed, and the 

 progeny of these plants is being grown. 



Bean-breeding experiments. — For two years selections of beans 

 have been made for line breeding, in order to develop strains of field 

 beans which shall be more productive, better adapted to special con- 

 ditions, and at the same time free from anthracnose. Some 2,000 in- 

 dividual plants were grown as the result of this selection last year, 

 and their yield has been carefully measured to determine relative 

 values. Work this season is based on the selections thus obtained. 

 Several years will be required to complete this investigation, but it 

 is believed that the results will justify the expense of its continuation. 



MusKMELONS. — Placc-cffect studies with muskmelons, in coopera- 

 tion with the Bureau of Chemistiy, were continued during the vear 

 at points in Florida, Tennessee, Colorado, Indiana, and Connecticut. 

 The second vear's results corroborated to a marked degree the results 

 obtained in the first year s trial. The work is being continued and 

 so broadened as to determine, if possible, the particular time at which 

 the flavor and sugar content of the melons develop. 



Sweet corn. — The breeding and development of sweet corn in 

 order to secure special strains of superior value for table use and for 

 canning is still under way. The place-effect trials in cooperation 

 with the Bureau of Chemistry have been completed. The report 

 from a horticultural standpoint will be forthcoming. 



Needs or the breeding work. — Additional facilities are needed to 

 enable more extended work to be conducted in breeding sweet corn, 

 tomatoes, and peas — crops which are of great economic importance in 

 connection with the canning industry. The difficulties which have 

 arisen in connection with the growing of satisfactory sweet corn for 

 canning purposes make it imperative that the department give atten- 

 tion to this crop. The force of trained specialists to carry on this 

 work has been too small to enable the department to undertake the 

 important problems connected with the cultivation and handling of 

 peas for canning. 



Truck-crop survey. — Work upon the truck-crop survey has been 

 continued during the year, as a side line to all of the field investiga- 

 tions. In addition, a cooperative arrangement was effected whereby 

 a very complete report of the trucking localities and trucking condi- 

 tions existing in the cotton-producing States was procured. 



Marketing truck crops. — The study of cooperative marketing 

 methods practiced by many of the truck growing and marketing asso- 

 ciations in connection with the truck-crop survey has proved very 

 helpful. It has resulted in the organization of successful growing 

 and marketing organizations, which have materially assisted in 

 widening the market for perishable truck crops. The growers them- 

 selves, instead of the city dealers, have thereby become the dis- 

 tributors. 



