ANNUAL REPORT, 1933 47 



will be planted next year so that there may be a limited amount of seed available 

 for 1935 plantings. It was observed that the seed stock was contaminated with 

 some bacterial blight. Those who planted early reported some disease, while 

 those who planted late, so that the plants matured in the cool fall, had no disease. 



Considerable progress has been made in the improvement of the VValtham 

 Beauty pepper. The plants are now more uniform in height, and the shape of 

 the fruit is much improved. Performance on various types of soil was determined 

 by placing samples of seed among the local growers. In general, the reports from 

 these growers tend to indicate that it is better than any commercial strain avail- 

 able, although on several farms it has been observed that the pepper is not suited 

 for light, high land where water is a limiting factor. Under these conditions the 

 plants produced are very small and the yield small. Yield trials conducted at 

 the Field Station this past season indicate that the Waltham Beauty will out- 

 yield the California W onder by 138 bushels per acre; Harris Earliest by 293 bushels 

 per acre; and World Beater by 99 bushels per acre. 



Strains of Blue Hubbard squash now in the third and fourth generation were 

 grown, and selfed specimens obtained. There is still some variation in the 

 strain, indicating that it is not yet pure. Difficulty was experienced in getting 

 some of the strains which had been selfed three or four times to set fruit, while 

 commercial strains growing alongside selfed easily. 



Selections of the Field Station Comet tomato grown in the field last season 

 proved to be somewhat better than the former strain. This variety of tomato is 

 being grown both in the greenhouse and on trellis in the field. Selections are 

 being continued to free the strain of some recent outcrops of mosaic. The 

 Boston Market Gardeners Association has produced a considerable quantity 

 of seed from foundation stock supplied by the Field Station. 



Past work on the Field Station Hutchinson carrot has been aimed mostly at 

 uniformity and proper size, very little consideration being given to color. Selec- 

 tions are now in the greenhouse where it is planned to cross the strain with one 

 having a deep orange color. The popularity of this variety is attested by the 

 fact that the local Market Gardeners Association has had 1500 pounds of carrot 

 seed grown for them from stock seed supplied by the Field Station. 



Selection of the Wyman-Crosby beet is being continued to obtain greater 

 uniformit}', earliness, and better color. The present strain is fairly uniform and 

 medium early, but rather poor in color. Attempts are being made to obtain a 

 beet with smaller top and better internal color. 



Selections were made of Bel-May lettuce that was planted in the greenhouse, 

 to improve the bottom of the lettuce head. Many plants are inclined to be 

 rather open, which shows the lettuce at a disadvantage as it is customary to 

 market it with the bottom of the head up. Plants are now being grown from 

 Selections seeded last spring. An ample supply of Bel-May seed is available 

 through a local farmers' organization. 



Selections of Pascal celery that were seeded in the greenhouse in 1932 were 

 grown this year and proved to be quite an improvement over the original com- 

 mercial strain. Celery that is more uniform in height and has a long petiole is 

 the type that is desired. Selections will be continued in connection with a 

 celery storage project that is now under way. 



