54 MASS. EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 2Q3 



ciiirin;^ the past season along lines similar to those of the past four years. There 

 has been no measurable etTect where the plants are grown on the hill system with 

 plenty of space between the plants. 



A new bed was set in the spring of 19M in which runner plants were developed 

 and treated with nitrogen-carrying fertilizers. Nitrogenous fertilizers were also 

 applied to alternating sections of strawberries in matted rows to study the effect 

 of crowding upon nitrogen response. All plots are duplicated five times and all 

 receive phosphorus and potassium. 



Bud Mutations. (J. K. Shaw and W. H. Thies.) The collection of bud 

 mutations of apple varieties was maintained. It will be several years before they 

 come into bearing so that any persistent characteristics and their value can be 

 determined. 



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

 cooperating with C. I. Gunness and W. R. Cole.) This project involves a study 

 of the effect of the "blast" system of cold-air distribution on the keeping of Mc- 

 intosh apples. A study is also being made of the optimum humidity for the 

 satisfactory storage of apples in the cold storage and the air-cooled storage. Ob- 

 servations are being made in several commercial refrigerated and common storages 

 in addition to those made in the college plant. 



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

 Bourne.) This is a continuation of the work that has been carried on here for 

 several years whereby various spray materials on the market are given practical 

 tests in the orchard to determine their efficiency and safety to the trees. Several 

 of the wettable sulfur compounds appear to be suitable substitutes for liquid 

 lime-sulfur in the post-calyx applications. 



Blueberry Culture. (J. S. Bailey.) The propagation of blueberry plants 

 was continued to increase the supply of plants, particularly of the newer varieties. 



In the spring of 1932 a start was made on the establishment of a large plantation 

 for the study of the cultural requirements of the blueberry. Observations on the 

 relation of height of water table to the growth of blueberries were begun in this 

 plantation. 



The variety blueberry plantation was considerably enlarged to facilitate the 

 more extensive testing of varieties under local conditions. 



Cross Pollination and Sterility Studies with Certain Apple Varieties, 



(F. C. Sears, O. C. Roberts and others.) Work on the question of pollination of 

 apples was continued for the eighth season. Special emphasis was placed on 

 Macoun and Cortland, the two new varieties about which orchardists are most 

 anxious to secure information. Both these varieties seem to be promising as 

 pollinators for other varieties, but the evidence so far would seem to indicate 

 that Cortland is inclined to be self sterile, like its parent the Mcintosh. 



DEPARTMENT OF POULTRY HUSBANDRY 

 J. C. Graham in Charge 



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

 lines are continued. Both lines are being selected for the same degree of early 

 maturity, intensity, absence of winter pause, and persistency. These lines will 

 eventually differ only in the presence or absence of the broody instinct during the 

 pullet laying year. In the 1931 generation there were 43 birds in the non-broody 

 line. Of this number, 33 or 76.74 per cent were non-broody the first year and 



