76 MASS. EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 347 



necessity of handling the hot jars after processing, and has no effect on either 

 breakage or spoilage. 



Work is under way on the utilization of cull turkeys by canning as meat and 

 in the form of sandwich spreads and broth. 



Ascorbic Acid in Tomatoes and Tomato Juice as Affected by Maturity, Variety, 

 Method of Assay, and Other Factors. (W. A. Maclinn, A. S. Levine, and C. R. 

 Fellers.) A second season's results on tomato varieties and strains have been 

 obtained. The same varieties which were high in ascorbic acid in 1936 were like- 

 wise high in 1937. However, all varieties contained 20 to 35 percent less ascorbic 

 acid in 1937 than in 1936. Hence, seasonal and varietal differences may greatly 

 alter the ascorbic acid (antiscurvy value) of commercial tomato juices. Tomatoes 

 picked when partly ripe are of the same ascorbic acid content as either freshly 

 picked or stored ripe tomatoes. Preliminary data indicate that tomato juices 

 canned either in glass or in tin containers do not decrease significantly in ascorbic 

 acid content in four months' storage in subdued light at room temperatures. 



U.se of Corn Sugar in Fruit Products. (C. R. Fellers, C. W. Morrison, and H. A. 

 Howard.) A paper summarizing results to date was published in Indus, and 

 Engin. Chem. 29 (8):946-949, 1937. The work is being continued. 



Possible Nutritional Aspects of Arthritis. (W. B. Esselen, Jr., and C. R. Fellers.) 

 This research, conducted under the Lang Fund, has shown that iodine, kelp, or 

 vitamins B, G, and D in the diets of rats and guinea pigs have no effect on the 

 onset or the pathology of scurvy or the length of life of the scorbutic animal. 

 The data show the great specificity of vitamin C and that the results of a de- 

 ficiency of it cannot be influenced by minerals or by large amounts of vitamins 

 B, G, and D. However, it was found that vitamin D did have a favorable action 

 in decreasing the marked joint swelling ordinarily observed in severe scurvy. 



Vitamin Content of the Maize Plant and Grain. (W. B. Esselen, Jr., B. Isgur 

 (Agronomy), and C. R. Fellers.) A paper was published on this subject in J otir. 

 Nutrition 14 (5):503-511, 1937. 



Does Fertilization of Plants Affect Their Vitamin C Content? (B. Isgur (Agron- 

 omy) and C. R. Fellers.) Preliminary data have been published in Jour. Amer. 

 Sac. Agron. 29 (ll):890-893, 1937. 



DEPARTMENT OF HORTICULTURE 

 R. A. Van Meter in Charge 



Horticultural Value and Culture of Perennial Asters. (Ray M. Koon, Waltham.) 

 The purpose of this study is to evaluate all the horticultural varieties and certain 

 promising species of the genus Aster for garden use, discover the proper cultural 

 methods, and develop new varieties of habit and color nonexistent at present. 

 Inasmuch as Aster is a genus of nearly 2,000 species and synonyms of very in- 

 tricate taxonomy, there is nothing to be gained by becoming involved in species- 

 complexes. 



Three hundred and twenty-five species and varieties assembled at Waltham 

 from sources in America and abroad have revealed that (1) many varieties in the 

 trade should be eliminated from nurserymen's lists and supplanted by others of 

 proved higher garden value; (2) certain varieties originating abroad have been 

 renamed upon their introduction to the American trade, resulting in confusion 



