Department of Horticulture Ixxxv 



the test. Records were kept of the temperature and humidity of 

 air and soil inside and outside the tent. A comparsion of earhness, 

 size, vigor, and tendency to throw seed stalks shows the conditions 

 in the tent to be superior to those out of doors for midsummer let- 

 tuce, and the second sowing started ofif much more promptly inside. 

 The radishes inside were a trifle better in quality and less frequently 

 pithy than those grown in the open, but the difference in this crop 

 was less than with the lettuce. 



( e) Fertiliser tests with tomatoes. — The rolling nature of the 

 land on which the vegetable plots are located and some unevenness 

 in soil make satisfactory fertilizer tests difficult; but tests with 

 tomatoes were nevertheless undertaken with nitrate of soda. Mar- 

 ket Gardener's guano, muriate of potash and basic slag. This work 

 is still in progress. 



(f) Caulivower and Brussels sprouts. — A study of these crops 

 was made at the east end of Long Island, where they grow to per- 

 fection, and data for a bulletin was gathered. The bulletin will soon 

 be ready for publication. 



(3) Extension, (a) Co operative experiments. — More requests 

 were made by farmers this year to participate in the co-operative 

 experiments than ever before. Nine experiments were offered, 

 most of them variety tests, and materials were sent out for iii 

 experiments. 



(b) Wiyiter course instruction. — A course in floriculture was 

 offered to winter course students for the first time this year, and 

 was elected by seven students. With the improved greenhouse 

 facilities soon to be available, this course will doubtless attract many 

 more students. 



The first month of the instruction in horticulture offered in the 

 winter course in general agriculture was given by this division. 



(c) County fairs. — A circular was sent to the secretary of each 

 county fair in the state, with suggestions as to ways in which the 

 exhibits might be more effectively staged and their educational value 

 increased. The replies received indicate a general desire for more 

 knowledge on this subject. 



(4) Recommendation. — The division urges the need of a field of 

 at least twenty acres which could be devoted to vegetables. This 

 would make possible experiments on a commercial scale and fur- 

 nish an opportunity for students in vegetable gardening to gain 

 valuable experience during the summer. Such a garden would be 

 self-supporting. 



