450 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



TOMATOES. 



Seven varieties were tested. The plants were grown by the Negaunee Nursery 

 and Greenhouse Co., who hardened them in cold frames, shipped them skillfully 

 packed and thus furnished unusually strong and stocky plants which continued 

 their growth unchecked when transplanted here June 20. The varieties, with 

 dates of blossoming, were as follows: 



Atlantic Prize, blossomed July 8. 

 Hammond's Earliest, blossomed July 8. 

 Nolte's Earliest, blossomed July 9. 

 Red Cherry, blossom.ed July 10. 

 Red Pear, blossomed July 22. 

 Tour Peach, blossomed July 23. 

 White Apple, blossomed July 25. 



The effect of cold nights during August was best illustrated with the tomatoes. 

 The vines were heavily loaded, and though the full grown fruit of the first four 

 named varieties was at the turning point shortly after the middle of August, 

 scarcely more than a half dozen specimens ripened out doors, though neither rot 

 nor any other disease caused the loss of any. All were subsequently ripened in 

 the house, the plants being unharmed by frost until after September 29. The 

 earliest full grown fruit of Red Pear also ripened in the house, while that of the 

 last two named varieties of above list developed to full size but was fitted only 

 for green tomatoes. 



RADISHES. 



The small, early and usually turnip-shaped varieties can be rapidly grown in 

 hot beds early in season, or outdoors as soon as the ground is warm enough. 

 Grown outdoors, it means wormy radishes, should planting time be succeeded by 

 a protracted spell of cold, raw weather. This can largely be averted however 

 by mixing a liberal supply of tobacco dust with the soil in the rows when ready 

 to sow the seed. Of these early varieties, the followin.g were tested: Early 

 Deep Scarlet, Olii-e Short Leaf, Non Plus Ultra or Scarlet Turnip Forcing, 

 Scarlet Turnip White Tipped, Crimson Giant Forcing and Triumph. Planted 

 May 13, they were of edible size June 14 to 17, while replanted June 12 they were 

 edible July G. All these varieties are of excellent quality, Non Plus Ultra being 

 the smallest and earliest maturing and Crimson Giant Forcing being the largest, 

 the little tap root terminating less abruptly than in the others. Triumph is of 

 medium size and very attractive appearance, the white color being overlaid with 

 horizontal stripes and splashings of a deep pink color. Will last for a consider- 

 able length of time before turning pithy. The other varieties tested are: 



Improved Chartiers or Shepherd. — Nearly as early as the last, but with a longer 

 season. Oblong in shape, crimson colored and of excellent quality. 



Stuttgart Early White Giant. — A medium late sort growing to very large size, 

 but being at its best when two to three inches in diameter. Greyish white, 

 turnip-shaped, with very long tap root; quality fair. 



Icicle. — A medium early variety. Long, slender roots w'ith a delicate white 

 color. Mild, brittle and very juicy; none better for quality. 



Rose China. — A late variety; club-shaped and partly growing above ground. 

 Of large size, light crimson colored; flesh firm and somewhat dry, but mild and 

 crisp. Packed in dry sand, it will keep until late winter. 



California Mammoth. — A winter radish of large but not overgrown size, with 

 very long tap root. Color dark grey; flesh somewhat leathery but mild and 

 juicy; well adapted for leaving unharvested for spring use. 



LETl'UCE. 



The varieties tested are Deacon or St. Louis, Early White Self-folding, Hanson, 

 Mammoth, Perpignan or Defiance and Colossal. 



Early White Self Folding is a late sort belonging to the Cos variety. Heads 

 pointed, very light green and blanching well. The other varieties belong to the 

 close or cabbage head sorts. Hanson has the longest edible maturity and the 

 light green curly leaves are very tender. 



Perpignan or Defiance is a good variety with dark green and red margined 



