ANNUAL REPORT, 1941 85 



Fi generation has shown that there is a large difference in uniformity between 

 hybrids made between homozygous parents and crosses in which one or both 

 parents were from commercial strains. It will require considerabI>- more testing 

 before the real value of any of the lines can be determined. 



Hutchinson Carrot. The F4 generation of a cross of Hutchinson X a Turkish 

 red carrot was grown during the fall. While many of the other vegetable crops 

 this season were poor, the carrot crop was the best in years. The hybrid material 

 was so promising that several lines will be increased for further testing on a larger 

 scale. These new lines have a ver)- uniformly colored root and have a pleasing 

 externa! color much darker than the Hutchinson. 



The stock seed crop of Hutchinson carrot was very small. The plants blos- 

 somed profusely but only a small percentage of the flowers set seed. It is probable 

 that the dry weather was not conducive to proper fertilization. To meet the 

 demand for this seed from the seedsmen, a large crop of roots was grown and 

 placed in storage for next year's crop. 



Lettuce, New York Type. Three crops of lettuce grown during the season have 

 shown that the strain of lettuce which, because of past performance, was thought 

 to be the most satisfactory' will not stand during hot weather without bolting to 

 seed. The early crop, in which plants are set, was small but satisfactorj'. Com- 

 parisons were made, and the better selections showed up well. The first crop in 

 which the seed was planted directly in the field, and which matured in early 

 July, indicated that the best selections definitely had resistance to tip burn. 



In this planting was some of a newer selection about ready for release by the 

 U. S. Department of Agriculture which showed excellent heading characteristic, 

 but was small and so crisp as to make it questionable whether it would stand 

 handling in the market. The characters this lettuce has will be combined with 

 our bigger strain resistant to tip burn, which should combine all the desirable 

 characters needed to make a good lettuce for Massachusetts. The fall crop of 

 lettuce confirmed the results obtained in the summer crop. 



Samples of the best selections now on hand will be given to a few growers for 

 trial next vear. 



DEPARTMENT OF POMOLOGY 

 R. A. Van Meter in Charge 



The past season was in strong contrast to that of 1940 in many respects. It 

 opened early and fruit trees bloomed earlier than in any other of the past twenty 

 years. Rainfall was very deficient in the spring of 1941, normal or above in June 

 and July, and low for the last of the summer. Rainfall was heavy in the spring of 

 1940 and light in the fall, while fruit bloom was late. The rainfall for the summer 

 of 1941 was less than three fourths of the normal amount in Amherst and still 

 less in some parts of the State. Yet tree growth was good at Amherst and apples 

 grew to normal size. The explanation may be largely in the good rainfall for June 

 and July. Trees came through the spring drouth on reserve water from the 

 winter. Soil water drained awa^' early, admitting air to the soil and favoring 

 early root activity and later leaf development. Summer rainfall was enough to 

 maintain growth. Dry weather in the spring is fa\orable to fruit trees provided 

 it does not continue too long. 



Peach fruit buds survived the winter and a good crop was produced. Rasp- 

 berry canes winterkilled badly, with a consequent reduction of the crop. 



