14 MASS. EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 347 



Different crops were grown on the same plots in 1937 with similar fertilizer 

 treatment. On the basis of field observation alone, the apparent relative toler- 

 ance of these crops to the magnesium deficiency, obtained under these conditions, 

 is as follows: 



Not Tolerant 

 Tolerant Abutilon avicentwe (velvet leaf) 



Alfalfa Rye Buckwheat Potatoes 



Beans Soybean Cabbage Pumpkin 



Beets (red) Sudan Grass Corn Rutabagas 



Hollyhock Sunflower Cucumber Tobacco 



Millet Sweet Potatoes Mangels Tomato 



Peas ■ Swiss Chard Muskmelon Watermelon 



Rape Pepper 



It was also observed that the areas (C and D) which had been continuously 

 limed showed symptoms of detrimental effects. Pronounced signs of frenching 

 of tobacco were witnessed on these two areas, while turnips and rutabagas were a 

 failure even though there was considerable growth of tops. 



Soil Treatment for Potatoes. (Walter S. Eisenmenger and Karol J. Kucinski.) 

 The purpose of this experiment was to determine the value of calcium in the form 

 of different compounds, a slight difference in pH, the degree of stimulation due 

 to unusual ions, and the effects of large amounts of organic matter. 



A plot of soil was divided into two parts. To one half was applied gypsum 

 at the rate of one ton per acre; to the other half was applied an equivalent amount 

 of calcium in the form of ground limestone. Sweet clover was planted on both 

 parts of the plot and plowed under when in full bloom. Each half was subdivided 

 into smaller plots, and these were treated with various chemicals previous to 

 planting of the potatoes. The following are the comparative yields. 



Average Yield per Acre 

 Bushels 

 Treatment Gypsum Limestone 



Lead sulfate 387 378 



Boron 408 393 



Zinc sulfate 393 405 



Manganese sulfate 399 390 



Magnesium sulfate 393 387 



Check, with treated seed pieces 372 390 



Check, no chemicals 360 396 



Mercuric chloride 372 366 



"Dubay" 357 384 



Cadmium chloride 396 396 



A check plot on which no lime or sweet clover cover was used produced 359 

 bushels per acre. 



The results would indicate that the extremely desirable effects of boron, lead, 

 zinc, cadmium, and magnesium are not in evidence. No evidence is at hand as 

 to scab prevention, as scab was not prevalent in any case. In all cases the organic 

 matter improved the yield. 



Onion Breeding. (W. G. Colby and Hrant M. Yegian.) The work in onion 

 breeding this past season consisted mainly of combining closely related lines 

 either in open pollinated isolation blocks or under cages with the aid of flies. 

 Seed of some 25 strains, including strains of both late seed and Ebenezer set 

 types, were obtained in this manner. These strains, some of which show promise. 



