HORTICULTUKE. 645 



resistant as well as I'usted plants for (.-oni pari son from different parts of New 

 Jersey. The work of selection will be continued among the resulting plants. 



A further report is given on the fertilizer, irrigation, and variety tests of 

 small fruits and vegetables (E. S. R., IS p. 38). The tabulated data given and 

 discussed show the yields of asparagus, blackberries, raspberries, currants, and 

 goc^seberries for eacli fruiting year from 1S!KJ to lOOG, inclusive, under the vari- 

 ous methods of treatment. Yard manure api)Iled at tlie rate of I'O tons per acre 

 each fall has proved to be the best fertilizer except with blackberries, where the 

 increased jield was secured at too great a cost. A fertilizer analyzing 4.5 per 

 cent nitrogen, 7.7 per cent available phosphoric acid, and 13.3 per cent potash, 

 applied each spring at the rate of 500 lbs. \nn- acre, gave the most profitable 

 results with blackberries. Relative to the irrigation experiments it is stated 

 that in no case has the irrigation given a sufticlent increase in yield to make it 

 profital)]e. However, it is believed that irrigation may be profitably employed 

 on some soils in the State during periods of drought. In the variety tests the 

 l)est yielders thus far are the Palmetto asparagus, 101dora<lo and Erie blaclv- 

 berries. Red Dutcli and Victoria currants, and Downing and Houghton goose- 

 berries. 



Data collected during li»0(i. relative to the tim<' when different trees make 

 their twig growtli, sliow that with the apple and the plum nearly half was 

 made l)y May IS, wifli com])aratively little growth after June 12. The growth 

 of the pear twigs was nearly comjileted by June 12(>, and the cherry by July 10. 

 It is suggested from this data that tillage sliould begin early and cease early 

 to conform witli the growth i)eriod. 



Eleven conunercial varieties of tomatoes were forced in the greenhouse dur- 

 ing the season of 1!)05-0. Tlie results are tabulated and further discussed. The 

 Frogmore Selected, although the fruit averaged a little small, made the best 

 showing in the trial on account of its large yield alid good shape. Magnus- 

 Dwarf Champion, one of the station's crosses, made an excellent sliowing. Tlip 

 fruit is said to be a very attractive pinlc-red. Hand-pollination as compared 

 with self-pollination gave 48 per cent more fruit and a slightly smaller propor- 

 tion of ill-shaped fruit. A marketing test was also conducted in the use of 

 different size baskets and different size fruits. No difference in price per 

 pound was received for the different size baskets. The medium size fruit, aver- 

 aging about 3.3 oz. each, gave slightly the best results. A variety yielding fruit 

 running 5 to the pound is considered best for foi'cing purposes. The range of 

 prices received for the tomatoes at different periods from January 10 to April 

 9 is tabulated. The average for all fruits shipped, except culls, was 30 cts. 

 per pound. The center bench contained 310 sq. ft. and yielded 641.5 lbs. of 

 tomatoes, of which 540 lbs. were marketable. The gross returns from this 

 l)ench space is estimated at $177 or 57 cts. per square foot. Several varieties 

 of beans were also forced in conjunction with the tomatoes, and a table is given 

 showing tlie yields. The most satisfactory varieties were the Curries Rust- 

 Proof Wax, Improved Yellow Eye, Wardwell Kidney, Detroit Wax. and Golden 

 Jersey. A list is given of radishes which proved satisfactory foi- forcing pur- 

 poses. 



An exi)eriment was conducted in the forcing of asparagus, rhubarb, and straw 

 berries with ether. The method of procedure is described and the yields ai"e 

 tabulated. The trial with the asparagus and strawberries was unsuccessful. 

 With the rhubarb an increased yield was obtained princii)ally at the fii'st cut- 

 ting, 



A comparative test was made of a large number of wood preservatives as 

 used on greenhouse beuches. These included tar, creosote, carbolineum, white- 



