AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH IN NEW HAMPSHIRE 49 



the factors believed to alter physiological maturity, the following were 

 considered: earliness of fruit load, fruit to leaf quotient, soil moisture, and 

 mineral nutrition. The data on the latter two proved inconclusive. 



Ten plants each of 40 tomato varieties were planted in the field, and 

 yield and per cent defoliation from Alternaria blight were recorded on 

 each plant during the season. The onset of defoliation from Alternaria 

 blight has been found to be directly related to the onset of fruit in most 

 varieties. This has been demonstrated graphically. 



Work on the relationship between the fruit to leaf quotient and 

 defoliation is progressing. 



An investigation has been started on the testing of all available tomato 

 selections for resistance to late blight. To date, over 65 selections have 

 been tested. Several of these show resistance and may serve as breeding 

 stock. 



A knowledge of the factors affecting severity of Alternaria blight 

 will aid in the production of a tomato variet\' less susceptible to the dis- 

 ease. If a tomato variety immune or resistant to late blight is produced, 

 much loss in certain seasons wdll also be prevented. 



R. W. Barratt, M. C. Richards 



Breeding for Disease Resistance in the Muskmelon 



By controlling powder\' mildew in the greenhouse, the muskmelon 

 breeding program carried out by the department of Horticulture is accel- 

 erated by use of the greenhouse during the winter months. 



Investigations in the greenhouse during the past year continued on 

 methods of controlling powdery mildew on muskmelon. Sulfur fungi- 

 cides were found impractical because of injury to the muskmelon foliage. 

 Of the copper fungicides used, copper-oxychloride sulfate at the rate of 

 two pounds per one hundred gallons of water applied weekly was the 

 most effective. This spray should be adapted to field use. 



Muskmelon leaves are difficult to wet evenly. Various spreaders 

 were used in combination \\ith copper-oxychloride sulfate in order to se- 

 cure an even deposit of fungicide. An even deposit is correlated with 

 good control and absence of fungicide injury. Of the various spreaders 

 used, emulsified cottonseed oil or emulsified peanut oil at a concentration 

 of one part in eight hundred was found to be very satisfactory. 



Field diseases of muskmelons in New Hampshire are being investi- 

 gated further but to date none have been found sufficientl\' important to 

 warrant control measures. 



R. W. Barratt, M. C. Richards 



POULTRY 



Protein Requirements of Chickens at 

 Various Stages of Growth and Development 



Previous studies of various protein levels using meat scrap, dried 

 skim milk and fish meal have been reported. Chicks receiving fish meal 

 or the protein mixture were significantly heavier in \\eight at 12 weeks of 



