258 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE 



Tlio following arc brief notes on some sorts not previously prown : 



diioa<:o is a variety of the White Spine type that is larj^'dy j,no\vii near tlie city 

 after wliicli it is named. Jt is smooth, uniform in shape and size, and of good color for 

 picklin<r. 



The quality is desirable for slicing, bnt they often get bitter if the weather is dry. 



Cool and Crisp is of the Arlington White S])ine type, but is liable to grow pointed 

 at the ends and bulged in the center, which gives them an undesirable appearance. 

 This trouble has manifested itself more in the forcing ho>ise than in field culture. 



Everbearing did not prove to be of much value. They grew short, pointed and seedy. 

 In some localities they are considered very valuable. 



Henderson apjtears to be a selected strain of the White S[)iiK'. The cucumbers are 

 long, slender, uniform, good growers and of long season. 



Jersey Pickling and Long Green Improved are two similar varieties received from 

 J. C. ^'aughan, of Chicago. They are both good sorts and desirable for ])icklin<r and 

 slicing. 



Rockfnrd Pickle is a variety especially desirable for small pickles. They are very 

 prolific, but seed quickly, and the vines seem to be very susceptible to drouth. 



4900 and 4991 are two sorts received from the U. S. Department of Agriculture. 

 The only percejitible ditierence is that the former is darker colored and slimmer than 

 the latter. 



4991 is long, smooth, light colored, uniform in size and shape: spines scattering. 

 They are both of the White Spine type and desirable for pickling or slicing. 



It is very prolific of smooth, uniform pickles, well filled at both ends, but they 

 soon become too seedy for slicing and are not as good flavored as some other sorts. 



West India Gherkin is of no value, except when picked very small, then they make 

 desirable pickles. They soon become tough, seedy and very bitter. 



White Giant is a large strain of the White Spine class, rather coar.se, but smooth 

 and of good quality. 



The White Spine varieties, including Arlington, Early and Extra Long, are 

 standard sorts that need no description, all being very desirable. They differ only in 

 minor points, such as earliness, shape or size. 



Number 239, sent out b}' Buckbee, is a long, thick-growing variety, with scattering 

 spines. 



LETTUCE, 1900. 



In 1899 about 300 varieties of lettuce were grown as a duplicate experiment for the 

 Department of Agriculture at Washington. 



Many of them proved to be the same variety imder different names. 



For the test made in 1900 seed was saved from some of the better sorts and is 

 listed in the tables as from the Department, but the other varieties tested were 

 received from the seedsmen named. 



Some of the varieties were grown under glass with good results, but Grand Rapids 

 is the leading forcing variety in Michigan. 



There seems to be a very small demand for the heading sorts, but Big Boston and 

 Hot House are among the more desirable varieties. 



For the outdoor trial the seed was sown in the field ^lay 7 in a warm sand loam, and 

 the results are given in the following table and notes: 



All Right, from Johnson & Stokes, is a large growing heading variety. The outer 

 leaves have a glossy apjiearance, with a delicate jiink. smootli margin: head well 

 blanched, tender and crisp, but a little bitter. Its length of edible maturity makes it 

 of value. Strongly resembles Big Boston. 



All Seasons, Vaughan, is of the large heading type. It matures rather slowly, but 

 stands a long time before the seed stalks start. The leaves are smooth, dull 

 dark green ; heads large, compact, crisp and tender, but in damp, hot weather it is 

 very susceptible to rot. 



Asparagus, received from Peter Henderson & Co., is a tall, narrow-leaved sort of no 

 especial value. 



Bath Cos is a dark green, purplish sort. The leaves, which are broad and flat, and 

 have finely serrated margins, form quite a close head. 



Big Boston was grown by the side of All Right and they seemed to be identical. They 

 are two good varieties for garden use. 



