P.ID. 31 5a 



large degree. The season's work also contributed to our knowledge of the relative 

 values of dusts versus sprays in controlling apple diseases, and to the develop- 

 ment of a treatment calendar for each general material. From Entomology also 

 are several distinct contributions : first, in the study of the life history of the 

 codling moth with particular reference to control other than that now secured 

 through the calyx spray; secondly, through additions to our knowledge of the 

 life history of scale insects; and finally, in a study of the possible injurious effect 

 of Sealecide, a type of miscible oil. In the latter ease, contrary to expectations, 

 anticipated injury has not yet materialized. 



Of significant service to the fruit growing interests of the State has been the 

 work of the Department of Agricultural Economics in studies on the costs of 

 marketing apples. A manuscript giving complete report on this subject was sub- 

 mitted just as the year was drawing to a close, and will be published in the fairly 

 near future. 



Vegetable Gardening. 



The research work of the Market Garden Field Station was seriously dis- 

 organized during the year by the transfer of the plant from Lexington to 

 Waltham. Little could be done in the way of following up regular projects from 

 the Field Station. However, the work of the Department of Entomology on the 

 control of the squash vine borer is a distinct and valuable contribution to the 

 vegetable growing industry of the State. An insect causing serious economic 

 loss, which formerly was practically uncontrollable, can now be controlled. By- 

 products of this investigation were the discovei-y of the possible role of nicotine 

 as an ovicide, and work initiated for the purpose of activating nicotine and in 

 this way enabling our growers to secure better results at lower costs. The work 

 of this same department on control of the destructive onion thrips, and of the 

 Department of Botany on control of onion smut are both important contributions 

 to our vegetable growing industry. 



During the year a cooperative agreement was entered into with the Bureau of 

 Plant Industry of the United States Department of Agriculture, having for its 

 objective the determination of the relation between varieties of sweet corn and 

 time of planting, to susceptibility to corn borer attack. The project contemplates 

 at least three years of observation before the facts of the ease may be considered 

 as having been even indicated. 



The Cranberry Industry. 



The two outstanding services of the CranbeiTy Station have been its contribu- 

 tion to our scientific and practical knowledge regarding the control of injurious 

 insects, and its work with reference to frost predicting. In the former activity 

 the results of twelve years' work are being brought together in a single manu- 

 script, which will probably be offered for publication during the coming year. 

 In the latter, organization has been perfected through which frost warnings are 

 distributed by telephone throughout the cranbern,- growing section, at the ex- 

 pense of the cranberry growers. It is also planned to get out a forecasting 

 manual for the growers, through which, by the use of data taken on their own 

 bogs, they may predict the probability of local frosts with at least a fair degree 

 of accuracy. 



Work was continued on the blueberry investigation started some years ago in 

 cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture. A system of 

 pruning the bushes was inaugurated with gratifying results. The plantation is 

 continually being improved and the crop of the past year was the largest which 

 we have as yet secured. 



Poultry Husbandry. 



The main projects in poultry husbandry are continuing ones, and in no one 

 year can results be said to be particularly outstanding. Gains already made in 

 breeding for high production were maintained ; there was a decrease in mortality 

 in the laying flock; through the granting of additional clerical help, much of the 

 material collected through the past eleven years has been analyzed and submitted 

 for publication. The new equipment granted by the State has been of immense 

 assistance in enabling the Station to carry on this work in an effective and 

 thoroughgoing way. 



