76 MASS. EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 339 



also the proper shape for stuffing. 



At least four seedsmen are offering a commercial supply of seed for sale in 

 1937. 



The stock seed supply was replenished during the year by mass selection- 

 All breeding work on peppers has been transferred to a Waltham Beauty hybrid 

 to eliminate one or two objectionable features of the pepper. The data on the 

 development and proper culture of the Waltham Beauty pepper are being pre- 

 pared for publication. 



Lettuce. During the past year work was started to produce a New York type 

 of lettuce better acclimated to Massachusetts. This work was in cooperation 

 with the Division of Fruit and Vegetable Crops and Diseases of the United 

 States Department of Agriculture. Extensive plantings were made of some 

 thirty strains and varieties of lettuce, one-third of which were hybrid material 

 supplied by the cooperating agency. From this group approximately fifty 

 plants were selected as having some promise, and will be grown next year for 

 further trial. 



The new selection of Bel-May lettuce for forcing was grown in commercial 

 quantity during the year and judged to be superior to the old strain. To 

 further improve certain characters in this lettuce, hybrids were made between 

 it and an English variety. The F a generation was grown during the summer, 

 and the F 2 generation is now in the greenhouse. The demand for greenhouse 

 lettuce seed remains about the same as last year. 



Tomatoes. Stock of the Waltham Forcing tomato was maintained during 

 the year. The demand for this tomato from those merchandising it was approxi- 

 mately double that of a year ago, which would indicate that its popularity is 

 spreading rapidly. Greenhouse trials with this and other greenhouse varieties 

 from other sections indicate that the Waltham Forcing will set fruit under more 

 adverse weather conditions than other varieties. Although this tomato has 

 not been recommended for outside trellis use, many growers found it to be 

 entirely satisfactory if given plenty of fertilizer and water duririg the growing 

 season. 



The hybrid tomato for trellis use which has been in the process of develop- 

 ment for the past few years has been perfected to the stage where samples will 

 be offered to growers during 1937. 



Hutchinson Carrot. The stock seed of the Field Station strain of Hutchinson 

 carrot was maintained and the supply replenished. Efforts to improve the 

 color and core of this carrot are beginning to show results. The work of hybridi- 

 zation of the Hutchinson with other carrots of better color and core was under- 

 taken again this season after loss of the material last season through rotting. 

 The demand for the Field Station strain of Hutchinson carrot increased during 

 the past year. 



Wyman Crosby Beet. The Field Station strain of Wyman Crosby beet was 

 further improved during the year although it has not yet reached the stage 

 where it may be placed in the hands of the growers. The Field Station strain 

 is uniform in shape and grows rapidly, but lacks sufficient uniformity of 

 internal color to satisfy the market demands for beets. 



Blue Hubbard Squash. During the past season comparisons have been made 

 between selfed lines of Blue Hubbard squash and commercial strains and hy- 

 brids between each. There is evidence of considerable hybrid vigor in these 

 strains, the highest yielding line being a hybrid of two selfed lines. Very 

 satisfactory yields were obtained with hybrids from commercial and selfed 

 lines. Progress has been made toward obtaining the type of squash the growers 

 desire. 



