ANNUAL REPORT, 1933 61 



The late maturing varieties were not affected seriously (most of them yielding 

 80 per cent or better), and the new hybrids and inbreds showed almost no indica- 

 tion of wilt. If the wilt increases in severity as it promises to, resistance will 

 necessarily be an important factor in variety or strain selection in the future. 

 Earliness and size of ear have held the stage for many years; the Golden Sunshine, 

 Early Golden Market, Golden Gem, and other varieties have occupied the spot- 

 light. Now it seems as though attention will be focused on top-crossed, hybrid, 

 and inbred strains. Seedsmen and experiment station breeders have been 

 producing superior crosses, especially for the canners, for several years. All of 

 these have been late in maturing in the Field Station trials thus far. Now, 

 however, it will be necessary to consider them and plans are under way for an 

 extensive trial of all these new strains available in 1934. 



Over a hundred strains of tomatoes were planted this year in the tomato 

 trials. Interest in trellis tomatoes is exceptionally keen just now, so particular 

 attention was paid to varieties for this purpose. Many crosses of the Comet 

 variety, originally made by V. A. Tiedjens and carried on by R. E. Young, were 

 included and showed considerable promise. Further crosses made by Young 

 also show possibilities; one, especialK-, of the so-called Field Station Comet 

 on Lloyd Forcing was particularly good. Most of the strains for staking, pro- 

 cured directh' from commercial seedsmen, were not satisfactory. There was no 

 outstanding variety or strain in the trials except those referred to of the Field 

 Station Comet crosses. 



As in the case of the sweet corn crop, the tomato crop of Massachusetts is also 

 threatened by a serious disease, the late blight rot {Phytophthera infestans). 

 This disease was reported as present in this State in 1905. From that time until 

 1932 no mention of it can be found in State records. Last year about 10 per cent 

 of the tomato crop was affected, the disease causing trouble mainly on the late 

 outdoor crop and greenhouse crop after September 5. In 1933 over nine-tenths of 

 the crop was affected, many complaints being received as early as the middle of 

 August. There seems to be little or no difference in the susceptibility of different 

 varieties to the disease, the only means of prevention probably being thorough 

 spraying or dusting with Bordeaux. 



The Model Vegetable Garden. (P. \V. Dempsey.) A vegetable garden 50 x 

 100 feet that would serve as a possible stimulus and model to visitors was started 

 this year. Many and varied are the plans given in extension circulars and seed 

 catalogs, but a close perusal will show discrepancies in dates, distances, and other 

 factors. This garden was planted to obtain definite information under average 

 conditions. No manure was used; the whole garden was plowed, harrowed, and 

 fertilized at one time; possible succession crops were emphasized especially. 

 Flowers were included to increase the interest of all members of the family. 

 Seed was planted by hand. Rake and hoe were the only tools used. This 

 demonstration will be repeated and records will be kept of the various costs. 



Varieties of Small Fruits. (P. W. Dempsey.) So many inquiries have come 

 to the Field Station concerning the culture and varieties of small fruits that it 

 was thought worth while to start a small-fruit test plot in order to permit visitors 

 to observe a few of the standard varieties and some of the promising new varieties 

 under actual cultivation. A number of ra.spberry and strawberry varieties were 

 set last spring as a beginning. 



Control of Cabbage Maggot. (W. D. Whitcomb and H. A. Wilson.) To de- 

 termine the number and time of applications of a 1-1000 solution of corrosive 

 sublimate which is most economical and effective in controlling the cabbage 



