ANNUAL REPORT, 1937 85 



Sodus, the new purple raspberry from Geneva, appears to be superior to any 

 variety of this type grown here. 



Strawberries. Catskill was one of the outstanding varieties in the plantation 

 this year. It surpassed Howard 17 in production. The berries were large and were 

 firmer and more attractive in the basket than Howard 17. It appears to be the 

 best vari ty for this section that has been produced at the Geneva Station. 



Dorsett, while superior in quality, size, and attractiveness, has some faults 

 that limi its value as a commercial sort. It is not a heavy producer even when 

 grown under the spaced row sy: tem and the late berries tend to be poorly formed. 

 It is an excellent variety for the home garden. 



Fairfa.K is similar to Dorsett in man\- respects. It is less tart and retains size 

 better but because of its dark color is less attractive. It is a good variety for the 

 home garden when a mild berry is particularly desired. 



Thompson Late is unquestionably the latest variety ever grown here, but the 

 plants and fruit are exceedingly unattractive. The leaves of the plants tend to 

 roll up and the berries are rough and light in color. The quality is only fair and 

 production is good but not exceptional. 



Chesapeake is an old variety but is mentioned here because it is a late berry 

 that is attractive and has good quality. In these two respects it surpassed any late 

 variety that has been grown here. Production is relatively low however. 



Pathfinder (New Jersey 35) is a new variety from New Jers y that ripens in 

 earl\- midseason, is medium or abo\e in production, and is very attractive. 

 However, the quality is only fair and the berries tend to be somewhat soft. 

 Further observations on this variety are necessar\' in order to determine its real 

 worth for Massachusetts conditions. 



Fruit Bud Formation in the Strawberry. (R. A. Van Meter.) To study further 

 the effects on fruiting of CO.^ in the soil and to provide a check on the results of 

 1935, eight plots of 87 parent plaiits each were established in 1936. To eliminate 

 complications arising from a varying stand of plants each parent plant was al- 

 lowed to form two runner plants only. Four plots were fertilized with two pounds 

 each of dextrose on August 3, August 15, and September 3. The other four plots 

 were not treated. The crowns of all the plants were damaged by cold in the 

 autumn of 1936. 



These plots were harvested in 1937. The treatments resulted in a slight re- 

 duction in yield. 



To .study the possibility- that winter injur}' might be responsible for continued 

 failure to get a response to differential soil treatments, 24 plots were established 

 in the spring of 1937. The following treatments were made, each replicated 

 four times. 



1. — No mulch. 



2. — Light mulch applied early. 



3. — Light mulch applied late. 



4. — Light mulch applied early, more mulch applied later. 



5. — Heavy mulch applied early. 



6. — Heavy mulch applied late. 



Bud Mutations. (J. K. Shaw and \V. H. Thies.) The observations on the scat- 

 tering crop are but a repetition of those made last year. Some of the grafts sup- 

 posed to be from mutating trees or branches of trees differ little, if at all, from the 

 original variety, but two or three are distinct sports. 



Storage of Apples Under Various Conditions. (O. C. Roberts cooperating with 

 Agricultural Engineering Department.) For several years this Station has in- 

 vestigated the problem of Mcintosh storage. Previous results have indicated that 



