ANNUAL REPORT, 1032 45 



Systematic and Quality vStudies of Varieties of Sweet Corn. (G. B. 



Snyder.) In the trial plots, 231 lots of sweet corn including S2 different named 

 sorts were grown. Detailed records of each lot were taken in order to allow for 

 definite classification and rating as conmiercial varieties for Massachusetts market 

 gardeners. Many lots having distinct names were found to be either very similar 

 to or synonymous with older standard varieties. Comparatively few of the varie- 

 ties studied were found to be satisfactory for culture by the market gardener from 

 a consideration of maturity, yield, size of stalk, size of ear, and color, size, and 

 quality of kernel. 



Refractive indexes and percentage-of-sugar readings were taken for 211 lots, 

 20 readings being taken for each lot. In the pre-milk stage of development sugar 

 ranged from 12 to 16 per cent, and from pre-milk to soft -dough development varie- 

 ties differed mari<edly, the high point in sugar ranging from 16 to 29 per cent. 

 Strains of a variety, however, deviated very little from the average for the variety 

 in percentage of sugar. 



This year was the first of a three-year project. 



Dark Center or Internal Breakdown of Swede Turnips. (G. B. Snyder 

 and R. W. Donaldson.) Dark center of the Swede turnip is apparently physiolog- 

 ical in character and non-parasitic. Histological studies indicate the condition 

 as brownish or water-soaked areas in the parenchyma tissue between the vascular 

 strands. The tissue of the cortex and cambium is not affected. In the advanced 

 stages of dark center, the affected tissue becomes pithy and woody. 



Field studies of dark center did not show any relationship between the condition 

 and fertilizers, soil acidity, soil type, or crop rotation. A definite relationship, 

 however, was noticed between soil moisture and dark center. 



Series of crocks were set up in which varying quantities of animal manures 

 and peat were applied to soils taken from infected fields in Berkshire and Barn- 

 stable Counties. In each series the soil moisture was regulated at low, medium, 

 and high points. In every case the high organic soils having a medium to high 

 moisture content produced plants showing little to no dark center. The low 

 organic soils having a low percentage of moisture produced plants, the roots of 

 which were decidedly affected by the disorder. 



Taxonomic Studies of Eggplants. (G. B. Snyder.) During the past five 

 years, 105 different named lots of eggplants have been under observation in the 

 trial plots. Detailed records have been taken of each lot for plant and fruit 

 characters, disease susceptibility, anrl commercial adaptability. From these 

 observations and records a systematic monograph is being prepared. 



DEPARTMENT OF PLANT AND ANIMAL CHEMISTRY 

 J. B. Lindsey in Charge 



The Effect of Fertilizer and Cultural Treatment on the Composition 

 of Havana Tobacco. (E. B. Holland and E. Bennett.) Various grades of 

 Havana tobacco raised on the station plots in 1931 have been analyzed with a 

 view to determining the effect of different amounts and forms of applied nitrogen 

 on the composition of the web of both cured and sweat samples. The scope of 

 the work has been broadened to include the determination of carbohydrates, 

 with the expectation that additional studies may show some correlation between 

 the nitrogen-carbon ratio of the web and its free-burning qualities. 



To supplement this investigation popular brands of smoking tobacco and of 

 cigarettes have been purchased in the local market and submitted to analysis. 



