80a EXPERIMENT STATION. [Jan. 



DEPARTMENT OF HORTICULTURE. 



F. A. WAUGH, J. K. SHAW AND F. C. SEARS. 



The more scientific and thoroughgoing investigations in this 

 department are being carried on by Dr. Shaw, whose report 

 follows: — 



The most important activity of the year has been the develop- 

 ment of a root and scion investigation. In this work we have 

 the experiment orchard practically all set, and it comprises 

 approximately 1,100 trees. We have also about 3,600 other 

 trees on known roots which are held in reserve for replacing 

 vacancies in the orchard and for other work in connection with 

 this investigation. 



The work of isolating pure races in squashes with the view of 

 securing strains which will breed true to type has been pursued 

 with about the same result as has attended the work in previous 

 years. 



The work of observing climatic conditions with respect to 

 fruit growing has been continued, and the equipment has been 

 transferred from western Franklin to eastern Hampden County, 

 where it has been placed about the peach district of Wilbraham 

 and Hampden. There has been added to this work the idea of 

 observing winter temperatures in relation to peach bud killing. 



The most important new development in the investigation 

 work has been the establishment of the pruning orchard, com- 

 prising some 700 trees, in which we plan to carry on some 

 experiments in pruning trees, with particular reference to head 

 formation. 



Professor Sears, the pomologist of the department, makes the 

 following report on a number of experiments in practical or- 

 charding which are being carried on under his direction : — 



1. An investigation into the effects of the continued use of 

 oil as a spray material for apple orchards. The use of oil in 



