61 



The rcsultM stated in a table sliow but little diltereiice in the yields of 

 rows covered 1 and 2 inches deep, but where the coverings were 3, 4, and 

 5 inches the yields were considerably less. 



" With an open, well-drained soil we have obtained best results by 

 l)lauting in trenches 5 inches deep and covering 2 inches." 



G. Potato .scab. — To get light bearing upon the theory that scab is pro- 

 duced by the action of substances in the soil which cause mechanical or 

 other injury to the tuber, twenty rows, each 2i- rods long, were treated 

 before planting with hyposul[)hite of soda, sul[)hate of iron, sulphur, sul- 

 phate of potash, or sulphate of potash and ground bone, and the results 

 compared with those from four untreated rows. Two varieties of potatoes 

 were used, each in twelve rows. The results as reported show a large 

 difference in the number of scabby tubers in the two varieties, and a 

 considerable increase of scab where the hyposul[)hite of soda was used. 

 This seems to accord with the theory that scab is caused by "irritat- 

 ing" substances in the soil. 



Tomatoes (pp. 25-32). — Test of varieties. — A tabular record and brief 

 descriptive notes for forty-two varieties. In most cases twelve plants 

 of a variety were used. 



'■^Summary: For earlier varieties we need not look beyond Earliest 

 (Vaughau) and King of the Earlies (Ely). Prelude is too small. Fol- 

 lowing these are Advance and Hathaway's Excelsior, Of large, smooth 

 red kinds there is little choice between Perfection, Paragon, Volunteer, 

 Bay State, Haines' No. 64, Nichol's Stone, Matchless, and a number of 

 others." 



''Ignotum is with us still the most solid, and largest smooth tomato. 

 Out of five hundred plants only one sported. Red Mikado is a red and 

 regular form of Mikado. Of jnnk or purple varieties. Acme, Beauty, 

 and Mikado, Shah is a yellow variety of Mikado parentage." 



Effect of using seed from first ripe fruit. — In an experiment reported 

 in Bulletin N^o. 48 of this station, there was a gain of over 300 percent 

 in the weight of the fruit from usiiig seed from first ripe fruit in the 

 case of the angular varieties tested, but an apparent loss of 150 per 

 cent in the case of the smooth varieties. The experiment was repeated 

 in 1880 with 36 varieties, equally divided between the angular and the 

 smooth kinds. The results favored the seed from first ripe fruits to a 

 small extent in the case of the angular varieties, but were unfavorable 

 to a larger degree in the case of the smooth varieties. 



" From the trials of the past two years it would seem there is little to 

 be gained by selecting seed from the first fruits to ripen. It is true 

 that during both years there is on the average a slight apparent gain 

 from such selection of angular sorts, but eight of the eighteen varieties 

 show a loss from such selection, and we can oii\y regard as accidental 

 the fact that in the angular sorts the average shows a gain and in the 

 smooth sorts a loss where such selection is made." 



Does it pay to start tomatoes under glass f — To get light ou this question 



