HORTICULTURE. 741 



Results of this study to date are here briefly summarized. A full report of the 

 work has been ijubllshed in a series of bulletins (see page 742). 



Owing to a prolonged drought poor results were secured from the corn breed- 

 ing work in many instances. The behavior of a few of the more promising 

 crosses is briefly discussed. A further study was made during the year relative 

 to flintiness in sweet corn, llie test appeared to point to two kinds of fliutiness 

 or starchiness, one of which, it is suggested, may illustrate a type of seed char- 

 acter that is transferred by the pollen; the other form is classed as an ear or 

 plant character. When the latter form of flintiness is present it does not ap- 

 pear to be readily traflsmitted through cross pollination to adjacent pure sweet 

 grains. 



A number of eggplant crosses and hybrids are discussed with reference to 

 their inherited characters, and attention is also given to the nature of the 

 eggplant Infloresence and changes during the growth of the fruit. A similar 

 but more detailed study of the life history and structure of the leading types 

 of peppers is reported, together with tabular data on a number of second gene- 

 ration crosses. 



In the work of breeding and selecting for choice sorts of tomatoes several 

 promising crosses selected for length of the fruit have been tested. A few of 

 these crosses are briefly discussetl. A brief study similar to that for the egg- 

 plant was also made of the development of the okra fruit during the growing 

 season. Tests of the pepino or melon pear (F>oUinu)ti muricatmn) indicate 

 that it is of no economic importance as compared with the eggiilant, its near 

 relative. 



Experiments in limitation of fruit bearing were conducted with tomatoes, 

 eggplants, bush beans, and bush squashes. For the plants studied the results 

 indicate that excessive fruit thinning unaccompanied by vegetative pruning 

 leads to a rank vegetative growth and only a slight increase in the size of the 

 few remaining fruits. There appears to be a certain limit for every plant as to 

 the actual size of its fruits, regardless of the quantity pi-oduced. 



Observations were made of the effect of a midsummer drought upon a number 

 of ligneous plants. A well-marked zone of retardation in the growth of both 

 leaves and stems corresponding to the drought period was observed. At the 

 resumption of favorable moisture conditions, the leaves and stems again 

 assumed normal size. 



Tests of a number of ornamentals secured in previous breeding work are 

 briefly noted. They include hybrid forms of dianthus, foxglove, Nicotiana, 

 pansy, and hibiscus and a pelargonium cross. A comparative test of the Rus- 

 sian sunflower (Helianthus anniius) grown on poor soil and on rich soil re- 

 sulted in an increased number of ray flowers for the heads growing on rich soil. 

 A diagram is given showing the great variation in number of ray flowers in a 

 large number of heads of the Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta). Observa- 

 tions of leaf variation in the common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisixefoUa), giant 

 ragweed (A. trifida), green milkweed (Acerates viridiflora) , and the Drooping 

 Forsythia (Forsyth ia suspensa) are discussed and illustrated. 



A preliminai'y experiment in growing plants under shade was conducted in 

 the greenhouse during the summer of 1910 to serve as a guide for the selection 

 of material and suitable conditions for a larger field experiment. Of the plants 

 observed, it appears thus far that beans, Bryophyllum, radishes, Kochia, and 

 corn furnish good examples of different effects of shade; but all except beans 

 and Bryophyllum suffer too severely in the shade. 



Inheritance studies with beans were continued along lines previously noted 

 and are reported separately (pp. 277-281), by E. J. Owen. 



