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Horticultural Department. 



S. T. MAYNARD. 



In presenting the first report of experiments made in this depart- 

 ment, I wish to call attention to the fact that, owing to the limited 

 time we have been at work, most of our experiments require further 

 time and repetition, under the same and varied conditions, in order 

 to come to positive conclusions. Further reports will be made in future 

 bulletins, and it is hoped that interested fruit-growers, market gardeners, 

 etc., will repeat the experiments as fully as possible that their value may 

 be tested under as many conditions and in as many locahties as possible. 

 We would especially invite information from all who have well substan- 

 tiated facts upon any horticultural subject, and also suggestions as to 

 experiments which should be made in the interest of the Horticulture 

 of Massachusetts. 



In most of the experiments made in this department the work is 

 largely done by students of the College, thus giving them the habit ot 

 close, careful observation and a knowledge of the subjects involved 

 which they could obtain in no other way, and at the same time encour- 

 aging and training their powers of observation and investigation 

 which are so much needed in studying the great subjects of plant 

 growth, the diseases and insect foes we have to contend with in all 

 agricultural operations. 



PLANT BED CLGTH AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR GLASS. 



The growing interest in the use of a cheap substitute for hot-bed 

 glass, has led to the recommendation and introduction of patent 

 waterproof cloth for this purpose. 



To determine its value, tests were made upon frames as nearly as 

 possible of the same construction and exposure. The temperature 

 was registered by government standard soil thermometers placed 

 within each bed. 



The period of experiment covered quite a range of temperature, 

 although at no time did it go below the freezing point. Careful 

 observations, made later, when the temperature ran lower show the 

 general results to be the same. 



