282 MASS. EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 271 



Electric Hotbed. (P. W. Dempsey). After investigating the practical 

 application of electricity for heating hotbeds in 1928, it was decided that 

 the expense was too great, both for installation and upkeep. During the 

 past year, however, the General Electric Company has introduced a 

 new type of heater and thermostat, economical both in operation and 

 cost. Plans are in the making for operating three hotbeds of four sash 

 each with manure, hot water and electricity as sources of heat, in co- 

 operation with the Edison Electric Illuminating Company of Boston. Notes 

 on the comparative cost, temperature and other details will be kept. 



Vegetable Variety trials. (P. W. Dempsey). Twelve varieties and 

 strains of pole beans were tested. Kentucky Wonder proved to be the 

 best both for the market and for home growing. The new variety of 

 Italian Pole may replace the Kentucky Wonder because of its superior 

 quality. 



Seed of twelve strains of Calabrese broccoli were secured from as many 

 different seedsmen. A decided uniformity was noted in all samples. 



Thirty-seven strains and varieties of sweet corn were tested. Golden 

 Sunshine was the outstanding early yellow variety and shows promise of 

 replacing the once popular Golden Bantam. Golden Gem, a production of 

 the North Dakota Experiment Station, is a very early yellow sort but too 

 small to justify its extensive use for home or market planting. 



Twelve varieties of peppers were compared. California Wonder, a new 

 introduction, shows up well and is becoming popular with the growers. 

 Red Sport of Oshkosh (seeds sent to Dr. Guba of this Station in r929 

 by a private grower) shows great promise, and a separate plot will be de- 

 voted to this variety in 1931 for the purpose of further selection if the 

 variety seems worthy. 



Twenty varieties and strains of staked tomatoes, and fifty-four varieties 

 and strains grown flat culture, were studied. There was no outstanding 

 .strain or variety. 



Six strains of the popular Straightneck variety of summer squash were 

 planted. No strain yet tried runs more than 50 per cent true to type. 



Twenty strains and varieties of beets were seeded in two plantings. A 

 great improvement has been noted in the strains of Detroit Dark Red 

 offered by seedsmen the past three years. Crosby's Egyptian, however, 

 remains the most popular and undoubtedly the best variety for Massachu- 

 setts growers. 



Forty-nine strains and varieties of lettuce, of two plantings each, were 

 made. The best lettuce ever produced at the Field Station was at just 

 the right stage of maturity for Field Day. Many growers were impressed 

 with the new strains of the so-called "White Big Boston" now sold by 

 seedsmen under several names. It appears to be worthy of trial by any 

 grower for sowing at any time during the season. 



Conditions Affecting the Production and Vegetative Propagation of 

 Washington Asparagus. Depth of Planting. (P. W. Dempsey). In 1928 

 two hundred selected one-year roots were planted two, four, six and eigiit 

 inches deep. Next spring the beds will be cut for the first time. 



