255 



relative ability of different crops to obtain nitrogen from the air. Box 

 experiments are also being made with reference to soils, vaporization 

 of water, and the growth of various crops. Feeding experiments, me- 

 teorological observations, and tests with the dynamometer are also 

 planned. In horticulture, tests of varieties of apples, pears, plums, 

 peaches, cherries, strawberries, raspberries, apricots, and various other 

 fruits, and of vegetables and economic fruit-trees not grown in the Ter- 

 ritory, have been commenced. Systems of tillage and irrigation will 

 also be tested by the horticultural department. Plans and descriptions 

 of the farm and dairy-house, barn, and the front elevation of the lab- 

 oratory and farm-house are given. 



Virginia Station, Bulletin No. 7, July, 1890 (pp. 16). 



Variety tests with strawberries, W. B. Alwood (illus- 

 trated). — In the introduction the importance of fruit and especially of 

 strawberry culture in Virginia, is urged. " The varieties under test at 

 the station were planted in April, 1889, on a fjiirly strong clay loam 

 soil, which had but recently been broken up from sod. The land has 

 a gentle slope to the south, and except that it is somewhat inclioed to 

 wash, is a fairly good situation. * • * The plants were set in rows 4 

 feet apart, and 2 feet apart in the row, and were given clean culture, 

 care being taken to remove all blossoms which appeared the first year, 

 as it was desired to get a strong stand of plants for this year's test. 

 The runners were trained so as to give matted rows. The length of 

 row was quite uniformly 30 feet." The vines were mulched during the 

 winter with favorable results. 



The best yield at the station was from 5,000 to 8,000 quarts per acre. This, it is 

 true, is an estimated yiehl, made from 30 feet of row, aud uo one pretends that it 

 couhl be easily duplicated on an acre; yet, as an indication of what can be attained, 

 it certainly has value. One to two thousand quarts per acre ought to be grown in 

 practical culture. 



Tabular data are given for forty-nine varieties, including the dates 

 of first blooming and first and last picking, number of days in bearing 

 seed, quality and value for market and home use (on a scale of 10), 

 yield for four diflerent periods of picking, from June 2 to June 24, and 

 total yields, and productiveness (on a scale of 10). There are also de- 

 scriptive notes on the varieties tested and illustrations of five of the 

 promising new varieties. A list of one hundred and three varieties 

 now being tested at the station is given. 



The following new varieties are recommended as worthy of trial in 

 this State for commercial purposes: Bubach No. 5, Crawford, Eureka, 

 Haverland, jNIiami, and Parry. Bubach No. 5, Haverland, and Sharp- 

 less are especially recommended for home use. Belmont, Bomba, Craw- 

 ford, First Season, Jessie, and Parry are also considered worthy of trial 

 for this purpose. 



