EXPERIMENT STATION REPORT. 379 



iDut their variations in size and shape probably affect greatly the 

 appearance of the umbels. In the first place, there is much 

 difference observed in the color, it ranging from the ordinary 

 white to a decided pink. As known to all observers of the carrot 

 plant, there are pink neutral blossoms usually in the center of the 

 inflorescence, and the stems and leaves in some specimens, espe- 

 cially in autumn, show this coloration to> a considerable extent. 

 It is also a matter of common observation that the young flower 

 clusters are often of an inviting pink before the blossoms unfold, 

 all of which has led to the saving of seed from the plants that 

 show the pink color quite generally throuo"hout the plant in the 

 hope of developing a variety that may be acceptable as an orna- 

 mental plant. 



The length of the stems bearing the secondary clusters varies 

 greatly, thus making some inflorescence, open or "loose," while 

 •others are quite closed or "dense." Again, the main flower stems 

 are sometimes so uniformly unequal as to make the whole top a 

 hemisphere, while others are flat, and, furthermore, the secondary 

 stems may in like manner bring the flowers to a level with each 

 other, to form the opposite extreme in thimble-shaped clusters. 

 T'he clusters of any one plant are constant. 



If bred within the plant it is likely that a large number of types 

 ■might be secured that would soon become fixed. 



DISEASES OF PLANTS UPON HOME GROUNDS AND ELSEWHERE. 



Upon the Breeding Grounds there has been comparative ex- 

 emption from serious fungous diseases. The two blocks of early 

 sweet corn, namely, "Malamo" and "Malakosby," showed some 

 smut, the more being upon the former variety. There have been 

 similar reports from the testers who have the Station novelties 

 upon trial. 



The tomatoes have been free from any serious trouble, the 

 leaf blight being somewhat in evidence, and an examination did 

 not show that any varieties were particularly infested. The so- 

 called "yellow foliage" plants showed the "spots" most upon the 

 leaves, but this may not indicate that they were more diseased. 



