ANNUAL REPORTS. 243 



DEPARTMENT OF HORTICULTURE. 



P\ W. Rane:. 



November 1st, 1904--October 31st, 1906. 



The experimental work in this department since last report 

 of 1904 and up to the present has been along the following 

 lines : 



1. Plant Breeding. 



2. Forestry. 



3. Orchard survey of state. 



4. Trial grounds testing experiments. 



5. Forcing crops under glass. 



6. Strawberry experiments. 



7. Monographic studies with vegetables. 



The experimental work has gone forward with interest 

 and enthusiasm, not a small part of which has been due to 

 the fine and earnest support given by the department's assist- 

 ants. 



In plant breeding there is at present much valuable data 

 on hand, particularly the results from crossing various vege- 

 tables. We have many seedlings of promise in squashes, 

 cucumbers, melons, tomatoes, peppers and pumpkins. It is 

 believed that some of this work when completed will prove 

 conclusively that earlier experiments were not carefully 

 enough done to warrant their conclusions. Some plant 

 breeding work has been taken up simultaneously in a limited 

 way with other plants but not on a large enough scale to 

 warrant mention now. 



The crossing and plant breeding of the carnation has been 

 taken up upon an extensive scale. About 70 distinctive 

 combinations of crosses were successful and the seedlings 

 from this beginning covered a large area when set out of 

 doors this year. Very careful notes have been taken of all 

 of the plants and at present there are numerous very promis- 



