38 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Report of assistant in horticulture, Jennie A. Voorhees CSfew Jersey Stas. 

 Rpt. 1905, pp. 295-332, pi. 1). — A further report is given on the fertilizer, irriga- 

 tion, and variety tests of vegetables and small fruits started at the station some 

 years ago and regularly reported upon since then (E. S. R., 17, p. 3G3)._ The 

 yields secured wltli asparagus, raspberries, blacklterries, gooseberries, currants, 

 pears, plums, cherries, apples, and peaches under the different and combined 

 methods of treatment are slwwn in detail in tabular form and discussed. The 

 .results are not markedly different from those reported last year. 



Report of the botanist, B. D. Halsted, E. J. Owen, and J. K. Shaw (^'c(^ 

 Jersey Stas. Rpt. 1905, pp. 423-509, 517-525, pis. 17, dgm. i).— The work of the 

 year has been along the plant breeding lines outlined in former station reports 

 (E. S. R., 17, p. 304). In addition to the work with many sweet-corn crosses, 

 a study was made of 3G varieties of popcorns, 35 crosses of summer and several 

 winter squashes, crosses of many varieties of eggplants, green and wax bush 

 .^beans, tomatoes, and salsify. The details of the work and the results obtained 

 with each of these crops are given at length. 



In crossing tomatoes the hybrids obtained seem to follow closely the laws of 

 inheritance as outlined by Mendel, standard size, flue leaves, yellow foliage, red 

 fruit and smooth fruit being dominant characters as compared with dwarf size, 

 coarse leaves, green foliage, yellow fruit and hairy fruit, respectively. 



Hybrids of the scarlet runner bean (Fliaseolus multiflorus) and bush bean {P. 

 vulgaris) were profuse bloomers and produced pods and beans much like the 

 Scarlet runner parent. No results have been secured in crossing Limas and 

 bush beans. A fertile hybrid was secured between the scarlet Chinese eggplant 

 (l^ol(iiiu))i iiifcyrifuUum) and the Fordhoolv Improved variety (»S'. rnelonyeiia). 



After nine years' ol)servation ,the weed experiment at the station has l)een 

 brought to a* close, the perennial species finally gaining the upper hand. 



Notes on breeding and selection experiments with morning glories, primroses, 

 marshmallow. Rose of Sharon, daisies, etc., ai"e given, as well as methods of 

 removing and preserving seeds, keeping records, marking stakes, and making 

 ink prints of vegetable friiits. 



Report of the horticulturist, F. Garcia (New Mexico l^ta.- Rpt. 1904, PP- 

 82-35) .^An outline of the work of the year, with some data relative to a test 

 of varieties of potatoes and the yield of onions secured at the station. Of the 

 4 varieties of early potatoes tested Early Six Weeks gave the best results, the 

 yield, being 8G.(;7 bu. per acre. Celery was found to be pithy on the drier por- 

 tions of the field, but where plenty of moisture was available this defect was not 

 observed. 



Importance of accurate descriptions, W. W. Tracy {Amer. Florist, 26 

 {1906), No. 945, pp. 112S-1130). — The desirability of accurate descriptions of 

 varieties of vegetables in order that seed growers may produce plants true to 

 type is pointed out. It is believed that if seed could be selected from plants of 

 exact type for five generations, the improvement in seeds and market conditions 

 would be greater than has come from the development of new varieties by 

 hybridization or selection for the past 25 years. 



Acetylene light for forcing plants, M. J. Iorns (Cornell Countryman, 3 

 {1906), Xo. s, pp. i,s,j-/,s'.7, fiys. 2). — The author first demonstrated the absence 

 of any injurious qualities in acetylene light. Further, it was found that plants 

 may be grown successfully in acetylene light without any sunlight whatever, 

 though the plants are not quite as green as when grown in sunlight. In using 

 it as a forcing agent it was found that as a general thing the warmer the house 

 and the more sunshine the plants received the less visible was the effect of the 

 acetylene light on the plants. 



