REPORT OF THE HOKTICULI IJKIST. 



S. A. BEACH. 



During 1896 the Station Horticulturist and his assistants have 

 been occupied chiefly with worlv pertaining to (1) the testing of 

 the many hundreds of varieties of fruits which are included in 

 the Station collections, and keeping a permanent record for each 

 variety; (2) the origination of new fruits for the purpose of secur- 

 ing improved sorts; (3) the investigation of certain subjects con- 

 cerning the growing of vegetables under glass; (4) the prevention 

 of various plant diseases by spraying and otherwise; (5) a com- 

 parison of different kinds of spraying apparatus; (6) a comparison 

 of the amount of winter injury in 1895-6, which was sustained by 

 different varieties of fruit throughout the State; (7) experiments 

 in thinning fruit; (8) trial of different plants for cover crops in 

 orchards. 



Addresses on horticultural subjects were given in various 

 places in the State; exhibits of fruit were made at the State 

 Fair; the American Institute Fair, held in Madison Square 

 Garden, New York city ; the annual meeting of the Western New 

 York Horticultural Society, Rochester, N. Y., and in other places. 



Mr. Paddock has given special attention to testing straw- 

 berries, blackberries and raspberries, girdling grapes, and a 

 comparison of spraying apparatus. He has also continued his 

 investigations in treating raspberry anthracnose. The bulletins 

 and reports on these subjects are prepared by him. 



Mr. Close has given special attention to the correspondence 

 concerning winter injury to fruits and to photographing and 

 describing fruits, particularly apples. 



These gentlemen have also assisted in various other parts of 

 the horticultural work with fidelity and efficiency. 



