60 MASS. EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 305 



of its proximity to a dense population of varied horticultural interests. During 

 the year there have been recorded more than 2500 persons who have consulted 

 members of the staff regarding troubles threatening their commercial enterprises 

 or to request assistance with problems relatingto amateur horticulture as it is 

 practiced by the home gardener. Telephone inquiries have numbered 2765, or 

 640 more than last year. The requests for printed information have increased 

 in the same proportion. 



Over 1000 soil samples have been brought to the Field Station during the year. 

 Soil deficiency tests have been made and recommendations offered. 



The Boston Market Gardeners Association has continued to use the Station 

 as headquarters for their monthly Executive Committee conferences and have 

 contributed much in the way of suggestions for worth-while projects. The Field 

 Station staff has, as usual, arranged the program of seven educational meetings 

 which the Market Gardeners Association holds during the winter months. 



The Fifteenth Annual Field Day was held on August 2 with over 900 farmers 

 attending. Demonstrations, most of the variety trials, and special projects 

 were planned with this day in view. Continued interest was shown by the 

 visitors in the work of the Field Station. Firms selling anything helpful to 

 vegetable or flower growers were invited to demonstrate their wares, and twent>' 

 were represented. 



The Seventh Annual Celery, Second Bunched Carrot, and First Bell Pepper 

 Contests were held. 



The Plant House. (P. W. Dempsey.) Interest in the model plant houses 

 at the Field Station, and in the plans available for distribution, has been main- 

 tained at about the same level during the past few years. The new type of hot 

 water heater, made by a national concern, installed in the new plant house last 

 winter has proved extremely satisfactory. With automatic draft control, it is 

 efificient in its use of fuel; with return opening only three inches from floor line, 

 no pit is necessary; and the first cost is exceptionally low. Fuel costs for operat- 

 ing both plant houses (each 10 x 30 feet) all winter were about the same ($75 

 each) in spite of considerable differences in the type of construction. 



Electricity as a Source of Heat in the Hotbed and Propagating Bench. (P. W. 



Dempsey.) Interest in this project on the part of commercial growers seems to 

 be almost at a standstill. This is primarily due to the natural hesitancy to adopt 

 new methods and also to excessive operating costs in many parts of the State. 

 Charges for current by different companies var\- considerably, many asking a 

 price that almost prohibits consideration of the use of electricity as a source of 

 heat for these purposes. A few power companies are cooperating even to the 

 extent of furnishing equipment and current for growers who are willing to ex- 

 periment. 



Results obtained at the Field Station in the benches and beds were similar 

 to those of last year. These prove that the equipment is good and show that 

 some practical uses for this ideal heat will be found before long. 



Work will be continued especially along the line of propagating hardwood and 

 softwood cuttings. 



Vegetable Variety Trials. (P. W. Dempsey.) This year the sweet corn tests 

 included over seventy strains. There was no outstanding strain or new variety 

 of particular merit. Bacterial wilt attacked the trials for the first time and 

 although all the varieties were affected the early maturing varieties which have 

 received particular attention the past few years were especially diseased. The 

 Spanish Gold variet\- was the only exception, showing considerable resistance. 



