242 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol. 8« 



object of the exjxirimeut here reported was to test the value of first generation 

 crosses in tomatoes and the effects of continued self-pollination within the 

 variety. Four commercial varieties of tomatoes were used in the experiment, 

 which was carried on during the four seasons 1912 to 1915. 



The successive generations of self-fertilization reduced progre.ssively both 

 the yield and size of fruit in Rest of All. The variety Stone was reduced in 

 yield and increased in size of fruit, Dwarf Champion remained reducetl in 

 fruit size and increased in yield, and Lorillard remained increased in both 

 fruit size and yield throughout ♦^he experiment. From these results it is con- 

 cluded that self-fertilization of tomatoes simply isolates genotypic Hues which 

 may or may not exceed the original variety. 



First generation crosses of Stone X Dwarf Champion and of Lorillard X 

 Best of All were made each year. The Stone X Dwarf Champion crosses 

 showed an average annual increase in weight of fruit and also in number of 

 ripe fruits per plant of S per cent over the parental average and approached 

 the fruit number of the better parent. The Lorillard X Best of All crosses 

 showed an average annual increase in weight of fruit of only 3 per cent and 

 no increase in number of ripe fruits over the parental average. 



The increases in both size and number of fruits for the Stone X Dwarf 

 Champion crosses ranged from 11 to 17 per cent during the four years and 

 were sufficient to make the practice of growing first generation tomato crosses 

 commercially profitable. These results, considered in connection with the less 

 favorable results secured with the Lorillard X Best of All crosses, led to the 

 conclusion that not all combinations of tomato varieties give the vigor usually 

 derived from crossing, but when a desirable combination is found it can be 

 counted on to give the increase in yield every time the cross is made. 



Vigor due to crossing as measured by increased yield was not appreciably 

 greater in crosses between artificially selfed parents than in crosses between 

 ordinary commercial varieties. With the Stone X Dwarf Champion crosses, 

 hybrid vigor also advanced the time of production before that of the earlier 

 parent, thereby producing an opposite effect to that produced by favorable en- 

 vironmental conditions, which tend to delay maturity. 



Report of orchard work on Mount Carmel Experiment Farm for years 

 1911 to 1916, inclusive, B. M. Stoduakd (Connecticut State Sta. lipt. 1916, pt. 

 5, pp. 365-577). — This comprises a statement of orchard work done by different 

 departments of the station on the Mount Carmel farm for the years 1911 tb 1916. 

 The data given include a record of spraying, fertilizers, cover crops, cultivation, 

 yield of fruit, and expenses and income in connection with the rejuvenation of 

 a small old apple orchard. Similar data are also given for small apple and 

 peach orchards started in 1911. 



A comparison of different forms and combinations of phosphoric acid is being 

 conducted in the peach orchard. The results thus far secured indicate that acid 

 phosphate gives the highest yield and that lime is detrimental to the produc- 

 tion of fruit. 



Irrigation of orchards, S. Fortier (C7, S. Dept. Agr., Farmers' Bui. 882 

 (1917), pp. 40, fiffs. S9).—A revised edition of Farmers' Bulletin 404 (E. S. R., 

 23, p. 440). 



Experiments in the irrigation of apple orchards, E. P. Taylok and G. J. 

 Downing {Idaho Sta. Bui. 99 (1911), pp. 48, figs. 24). —This bulletin describes 

 experiments in the irrigation of apple orchards conducted in an apple orchard at 

 Payette, Idaho, during the years 1913 to 1915, inclusive, and in an orchard at 

 Twin Falls during the years 1914 to 1916, inclusive. In conducting the experi- 

 ments special attention was given to the determination of the most economical 

 amount of water to mature an apple crop, the relation of irrigation to the 



