44 A1ASS. EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 293 



comparison of the stand counts in 1931 with those in 1932 shows that in the plots 

 where the roots were planted 2 and 4 inches deep there was almost no loss of 

 plants; while the plots where the roots were 6 to 8 inches deep continued to lose 

 plants, there being approximately a 6 per cent loss in the latter case. 



Of the three plots where the spears were cut with 4, 8, and 12 inches green, the 

 largest yield was obtained from the plots cut with 12 inches green, and the plots with 

 8 inches of green were next. Yields from the plots cut with 4 inches of green were 



11 per cent below the yields of the 12 inches of green. The yields this year were 

 about the same as in 1931 except that the spread between the 4 inches and the 



12 inches green was not so great. Definite conclusions cannot be drawn until the 

 results of two or three seasons are available. 



Seed Improvement. (Robert E. Young, Waltham.) Selfing to obtain pure 

 lines was continued on five of the most promising strains of blue Hubbard squash. 

 Some of these strains are nearly pure as shown by the uniformity of shape, color, 

 wartiness, and thickness of flesh. These strains are losing vigor in that they do 

 not produce yields equal to those of commercial strains. Some Fi plants were 

 grown from the cross of the most promising strains last year. The plants were 

 selfed in order that a pure strain may be obtained if they continue to show promise. 



The 1931 selections of Horticultural beans grown this past season proved to be 

 a great improvement over any commercial variety that has been tried here. 

 Two of these selections were very superior, and it is the intention to develop them 

 further. 



The market gartleners purchased about 7.S0 pounds of the Field Station Hutch- 

 inson carrot seed this year. It is reported to be superior to commercial strains. 

 There is some variation in the length of the carrot when it is grown in various 

 types of soil. Plenty of this seed is available for distribution in 1933. The 

 parent stock is being maintained at the Field Station to insure the same quality 

 of seed from year to year. 



The red sport of Oshkosh pepper that has been grown at the Field Station for 

 the past few years has now been named the Waltham Beauty. The uniformity 

 of the fruit of this pepper was greatly improved by the selections made in 1931. 

 In 1932 there were plants among the selections that bore 20 marketable fruits. 

 Plants grown on a one-eightieth acre plot for yield data produced an average of 12 

 peppers per plant, and the average weight of the peppers was 3.7 ounces. Selec- 

 tions were continued to improve the uniformity of the plants in height. Crosses 

 made in the greenhouse last winter between the Waltham Beauty and the Cali- 

 fornia Wonder, in the hope of producing a larger pepper, increased the size but at 

 the expense of yield. As the Waltham Beauty seems superior to the varieties 

 grown by the market gardener, it was decided not to wait until the pepper is 

 perfected to distribute samples of the seed. 



An ample supply of seed of the Bel-May lettuce is now available. Last season, 

 125 pounds of seed were grown in California for the Boston Market (hardeners 

 Association. Plants are now being grown to maintain the seed stock, and from 

 these selections will be made in an attempt to improve the frame formation. 



Selections have been continued to improve the color and flesh of the Wyman 

 Crosby beet. This variety has already proved to be very uniform in shape and 

 size. The beets produced from the stock seed are uniform in shape and size and 

 maintain their quality until quite large. Selections were made last season on the 

 basis of size and color, as there seemed to be some indication of a correlation be- 

 tween them. 



