ANNUAL REPORT, 1937 83 



commonly found in nurseries for closer observation. These will be budded on 

 red-leaved stock thus making it easy to avoid confusion from stock buds growing 

 into trees. Another attempt to grow a more successful cherry nursery is planned. 



Certification work under the auspices of the Massachusetts Fruit Growers 

 Association was continued on the relatively small scale of the past few years. 

 It seems that the simpler and less expensive practice of inspection where no tags 

 are attached to individual trees is thought to be adequate by most nurserymen 

 and fruit growers. 



The Genetic Composition of Peaches. (J. S. Bailey and A. P. French.) As a 

 result of the breeding work in 1936, there are in the nursery at the present time 

 373 selfed Oriole seedlings. This number represents about 50 percent of the seeds 

 planted. Because rats destroyed part of the seed, it was not possible to get the 

 exact percentage of germination. There are also in the nursery 250 selfed Elberta 

 seedlings and a few cross-bred seedlings. 



Since the winter of 1936-37 was a mild one, the bloom in the spring of 1937 

 was heavy and additional breeding work was done. Marigold and Oriole were 

 again selfed to attempt to increase the population from these early varieties. 



Another attempt was made to grow Marigold pits on a nutrient agar medium 

 in bottles. This was more successful than in 1936, but still the percentage of 

 germination was too small to be at all satisfactory. Pits from this variety were 

 taken from the peaches as soon as they ripened, and immediatel}' stratified in 

 sand, to see if this treatment would induce germination. 



The 1937 crop was good, but due to the wet season the fruit of many of the 

 seedlings rotted before it was ripe and for this reason it was impossible to get 

 observations on a number of seedlings. Additional evidence was obtained that 

 there is a linkage between the free and the melting flesh characters in the Belle 

 of Georgia variety and that there is crossing over to the extent of about 6 to 8 

 percent. Information was also obtained which points to a simplification of the 

 confused situation which now exists in regard to the classification of the free- 

 stone, semi-cling, and clingstone groups of peaches. 



Comparison of Cultivation and Sod in a Bearing Orchard. (J. K. Shaw.) The 

 Baldwin trees were removed thus leaving more space for the Mcintosh trees. 

 The crop was light and most of the trees are showing an increasing tendency 

 toward biennial bearing. The same treatment as in recent years was continued 

 but some changes are planned for next year. The two plots having a complete 

 fertilizer continue to yield well; the cultivated plot with no fertilizer yielded better 

 than in previous years. Evidently nitrogen alone is not a satisfactory fertilizer 

 in this orchard, but how far these results can be applied to orchards on other 

 soils is uncertain. 



Comparison of Clover Sod and Grass in a Sod Mulch Orchard. (J. K. Shaw.) 

 As recorded last year this project has been changed to a comparison of sod with 

 a sawdust mulch, both with a complete fertilizer. The sawdust was spread about 

 three or four inches thick but failed to check the growth of grass very much. 

 No injurious effect on the trees was noted. Further observations are needed 

 before anj' conclusions can be drawn. 



Comparison of Cultivation and Heavy Mulching for Apples. (J. K. Shaw.) 

 This project was continued without change. The crop was small but both Mcintosh 

 and Wealthy continue to do better on the mulched plots. The practice of mulch- 

 ing continues to increase in favor among fruit growers. The limiting factor is the 

 cost and scarcity of suitable mulching material. 



