B0RTICULT1 1:1 . 



This variety is considered valuable because of its earliness and the large proportion 

 of fruit which is without seed. 



\ tesl was made of a large number of tomatoes. The j ields obtained on differenl 

 dates are tabulated, and the fruiting Beason, Bize of fruits, popularity, and other 

 characteristics of the differenl varieties noted. A Bcale of points for judging the 

 merits of ordinary tomatoes was devised and it- use is illustrated in Bearing the 

 varieties grown. In this score card 50 points are given to the fruit and 50 to the 

 plant. The score for the differenl points is allotted as follows: Size of fruit I. shape 



l. surface 7, skin :'.. color 3, cells 7, flesh 7. flavor 5, - Is 5, and decay 5. For the 



plant the scale is: Form •">. vigor L0, foliage 10, producl 15, and disease i<>. 



\ proposed classification for tomatoes is also given, and various varieties classified 

 according t « » the Bcheme. A second crop of tomatoes was grown from the seed of 

 some of the earliest varieties to mature. This second crop attained full size, matur- 

 ing Beeds. 



Tests were made of bush and pole Lima beans, green-pod bush beans, and wax 

 beans. Classifications are given for green-pod beans and for wax beans, with illus- 

 trations of the pods and beans of the different varieties tested. For each variety the 

 weight of vines, weighl of |">ds, number of puds, seed- per pod, and popularity are 

 noted. Considerable work was done in the crossing of beans during the Beason, bul 

 it will require another season to determine the success of the crosses, Bince beans 

 are easily self-fertile. 



Data are also tabulated for weight of vines and pods, and number of pods and 

 seeds in 3 varieties of peas, in which >r<^\ of each variety obtained from ( ianada was 

 compared with the same variety when grown in New York. 



Further notes are given on the colors of the blooms of salsify hybrids under culti- 

 vation and from self-sow n mH'i\. The proportion of each of 9 law □ grasses BOM n in 

 the mixture in L896 is noted for each of the years since that date. Likewise, the 

 proportion of weeds on the plat of soil which lias been undisturbed since 1897 are 

 recorded. 



In a test of Early Snowball cauliflower seed from Denmark, the state of Washing- 

 ton, and an eastern locality, the best results were obtained from the seed grown in 

 the State of Washington. 



In experiments with tulip bulbs, American-grown bulbs gave liner (lower- and 

 were Longer in bloom than foreign bulbs. Notes are given upon Aralia cordata as a 

 salad plant, nasturtiums, and the report blanks used by this Department in descrip- 

 tions Of tomatoes. 



The usual notes upon the weather are given, showing the rainfall, temperature, 



and sunshine for the growing season of each of the past 1»> years. The condition of 

 crops and the relation of fungi to weather, as shown in the weather and crop bulle- 

 tins issued weekly by the State weather service during the growing Beason, are noted 

 with special reports from correspondents in I'l different counties of the State, show- 

 ing the winter- injury to vegetables, fruits, and field crops in various sections. 



Results of experiments in production and marketing- fruits and vege- 

 tables, and canning fruits and vegetables on a small scale, at the North 

 Louisiana Experiment Station, I>. N. Barron and E. J. Watboh LouisianaS 

 Bul. 81, ?. 8er. f pp. 86, />/. /, figs. .'). In order to obtain results of commercial 

 importance and also to encourage farmers in the neighborhood to engage in the ship- 

 ping of fruits and vegetables, a number of vegetables were grown at the station 

 during the Beason in considerably larger quantities than heretofore. These were 



shipped in cooperation with the farmers of the neighborhood in carload lots. 



From seven-eighths of an acre of tomatoes 236 '-rates were -hipped and aboul 60 

 crates were canned. The average net return was aboul 50 cts. per crate, and the 

 cost of growing an acre from seed bed to market was placed at $50. Fro] te-eighth 



