34 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



78.26°, with a relative humidity of 70 per cent, the conditions for curing were more 

 favorable than in the frame building. The best results were obtained in the large 

 shed with a mean temperature of 77.67° and a relative humidity of 73.57 per cent. 

 The slightly lower temperature and higher relative humidity in this shed were 

 apparently more favorable to securing the best results. 



Fermentation investigations were made and the temperature records of one pile of 

 outside-grown tobacco with a high percentage of wrapper leaves are shown in a table. 

 The suggestions for the improvement of Porto Rican tobacco include discussions 

 regarding soil, seed and seed beds, time and method of transplanting, cultivation, 

 topping, harvesting, curing, and fermentation. 



Extermination of Johnson grass, W. J. Spillman ( U. S. Dept. Agr., Bur. Plant 

 Indus. Bid. 72, pt. 3, pp. 14, pis. 8, figs. 4). — The results of investigations begun in 

 1902 for the eradication of Johnson grass, which is one of the most troublesome 

 weeds in the Southern States, are given. These investigations are still in progress, 

 but some definite results have been secured that seem to justify the publication of 

 the data already at hand. 



From the experiments already carried on it seems feasible to eradicate Johnson 

 grass in a single year by plowing in the autumn, care being taken to turn the soil 

 completely. After plowing the land should be harrowed immediately, so as to get 

 it smooth and well pulverized, after which it is given treatment by root diggers, 

 which tear out and collect the roots. In the spring the land should be plowed again 

 and put in cotton, giving it ordinary good tillage. All plants of Johnson grass that 

 remain should be pulled out by hand, and by repeating this whenever the grass gets 

 about 6 in. high it can be eradicated during a single summer without an excessive 

 amount of labor. These directions apply to cultivated fields and are not practicable 

 along fence rows, ditch banks, etc. 



HORTICULTURE. 



Summary of experiments in practical horticulture, W. M. Munson {Maine 

 Sta. Bid. 113, pp. 21-27). — A brief summary is given of the results of experimental 

 work at the station, since its establishment, in the culture of vegetables, ornamentals, 

 and fruits, including spraying. 



With the tomato it has been found that earliness and productiveness stand in 

 direct ratio to the earliness of setting in the field. Under favorable conditions the 

 plants should be in the field by June 1. The yield has been increased a third by 

 trimming the plants after a part of the fruit has set. Bagging the fruit has reduced 

 the loss from rot. Crossing between early small-fruited prolific varieties and the 

 common large-fruited ones has resulted in types well suited to seasons of short growth 

 and for forcing under glass. 



The increased yield of the Lorillard-Peach cross over the pure Lorillard has been 

 nearly 50 per cent. Seed from plants grown under glass has in some instances given 

 better results in forcing than seed of the same variety grown in the field. The results 

 were not uniform, however, and there appear to be distinct varietal differences. 



Cabbage plants handled 2 or 3 times before setting in the field have invariably 

 given better results than plants handled but once or twice. Depth of setting has had 

 very little influence on the size of the head produced by "leggy" plants. Trimming 

 the plants at time of setting in the field has not been of apparent benefit. Handling 

 the plants in pots before setting in the field has increased the percentage of market- 

 able heads. Mulching has been found a very satisfactory substitute for cultivation 

 for this crop. 



Cauliflower plants handled in pots have made a more uniform growth and pro- 

 duced a higher percentage of marketable heads than w r hen grown in boxes. Trim- 



