86 DEPAETMENTAL EEPORTS. 



elusions possible, but it is believed that by personal conference with 

 intelligent growers and by examination of the trees already in 

 orchards valuable time can be saved and reasonably safe conclusions 

 outlined much earlier than would otherwise be possible. 



One of the most important features of the work of the past season 

 was the discovery that a very large number of standard varieties of 

 apples in the section which was investigated are grown under incor- 

 rect names. There can be no reasonable doubt that the correction of 

 the nomenclature of these sorts through the instrumentality of field 

 workers and specimens submitted to the Pomologist for identification 

 will result in distinct benefit to the fruit growers of that region. 



The orchards of suitably located experiment stations are being 

 drawn upon to as large an extent as possible, both for phenological 

 data and for records of exjjerience with varieties. The private 

 varietal collections of large commercial growers are also being utilized 

 in this way in several States. 



CURRENT WORK. ' 



Work for the current year is proceeding somewhat closely along 

 lines followed during the year just past. A larger appropriation has 

 made possible an extension of several lines, though the number of 

 problems demanding early attention is so great that the funds pro- 

 vided are found insufficient. The general routine work of the office 

 may be expected to show a steady and rapid increase, as the several 

 lines of field investigation bring a larger number of fruit growers into 

 touch with the Department in each successive year. The fruit mar- 

 keting and storage work will be jDushed to the fullest jjossible extent 

 with the means available. The principal exj)erimental export work 

 contemplated for the 3' ear deals with summer and winter apples and with 

 peaches, summer and late fall pears, pineapiDles, and cranberries, among 

 fruits; and sweet potatoes and winter squashes, among vegetables. 

 The primary objects sought to be determined in these shipments are: 



(1) The practicability of delivering these products in foreign mar- 

 kets in sound condition. 



(2) The probable demand for them in those markets. 



(3) The prices obtainable and the relative cost of packing and 

 transporting the products. 



Single shipments of a particular fruit are, of course, insufficient to 

 base conclusions upon, and repeated shipments of each fruit tested 

 are being planned in cooperation with growers and dealers. Studies 

 of the practicability of exporting fruit that has been held for a con- 

 siderable period in refrigerated storage will also be made. 



In fruit storage a number of interesting and very important prob- 

 lems are under investigation. One of these relates to the control of 

 barrel scald in apples through projjer methods of piclcing, packing, 

 forwarding, and storage. Another relates to the relative storage 

 durabilit}' of apples grown on young as compared with old trees, 

 sprayed with unsprayed trees, cultivated with uncultivated soils. 

 Other problems relate to the storage durability of pears and peaches 

 and the best methods of picking, packing, and forwarding these 

 fruits to storage, as well as the question of the best temperatures in 

 which to store them. The various interests involved, including the 

 fruit growers, transportation companies, and warehousemen, are 

 cooperating with the Department in a gratifying way, and important 

 and valuable results are anticipated from this line of work. The 



