238 MASS. EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 280 



with thinning of the blossom clusters, as compared with the heavy pruning usually 

 given grapevines. 



Storage of Mcintosh Apples Under Various Conditions. (O. C. Roberts 

 cooperating with C. I. Gunness and W. R. Cole). This work has been continued 

 in much the same manner as reported one year ago, with a few changes and ad- 

 ditions as stated in the report of the Department of Agricultural Engineering . 



Study of Various Spray Materials. (O. C. Roberts cooperating with A. I. 

 Bourne). This year certain spray materials were given further field tests, and a 

 few materials not tested previously were included. A summary of this project is 

 contained in the report of the Department of Entomology. 



Blueberry Culture. (J. S. Bailey). Propagation work has continued with 

 increased success. Five bo.x frames, as described by Johnston of Michigan, were 

 constructed and proved very satisfactory for this work. The rooting of dormant 

 cuttings taken in the spring was more successful than the rooting of green-wood 

 cuttings taken in the suuimer. Granulated imported peat was used as the prop- 

 agating medium. A preliminary experiment on the application of a complete 

 nutrient solution to the rooted cutting in the propagating beds gave promising 

 results. About 5000 cuttings of several varieties were rooted. 



Cross Pollination and Sterility Studies with Certain Apple Varieties. 



(F. C. Sears, O. C. Roberts and others). The work on pollination of apples was 

 continued with the following varieties: Mcintosh, Cortland, and Northern Spy. 



DEPARTMENT OF POULTRY HUSBANDRY 

 J. C. Graham in Charge 



Broodiness in Poultry. (F. A. Hays). Non-broody and intense broody 

 lines have been continued. The plan is to develop both lines for genetic similar- 

 ity, except for the genes concerned with broodiness and with the intensity of 

 broodiness. The non-broody generation hatched in 1930 consisted of 36 birds. 

 Of this number 29 or 80.56 per cent were non-broody during the first laying 

 year and averaged 227 eggs. The 7 broody birds in this line averaged 192 eggs. 

 The intense-broody line of 1930 consisted of 23 birds and was 100 per cent broody. 

 The mean egg record of this line was 180. 



Data indicate that degree of broodiness is inherited. In general, a high de- 

 gree of broodiness seems to dominate a low degree of broodiness in crosses. 



Breeding Poultry for Egg Production. (F. A. Hays and Ruby Sanborn). 

 Early sexual maturity and high persistency are the most uniform inherited char- 

 acteristics in the flock. Intensity is high in the flock as a whole, but the varia- 

 bility in families is high. Special attention is being given to matings to secure 

 greater uniformity for high intensity. The percentage of broodiness in this 

 flock does not exceed 10 per cent. 



Special attention is being given to improving egg size without sacrificing 

 desirable fecundity traits. There has been an increase in egg size, but the mean 

 annual production for the last flock was only 206 eggs. \'igor, as measured by 

 mortality rate in the laying houses, has been improved and hatchability is 

 constantly increasing. 



