244 SEVENTEENTH AND EIGHTEENTH 



ing seedlings being grown in three of the college green- 

 houses which have been set aside for this work. Not only 

 has the department crossed and grown these seedlings but a 

 very close study has been made of the pedigree of the parent 

 stocks. 



The orchard survey work has but fairly gotten under way. 

 Rockingham County has been well covered and some begin- 

 ning made elsewhere. 



The trial ground tests continue as one of the features of 

 the work of the department. This work is believed to be 

 responsible in many ways for our efficiency in bringing prac- 

 tical and valuable things to horticulturists generally. 



The forestry experiments relative to the practical handling 

 in reforestation, as well as improvement cuttings, have been 

 continued with increasing interest. 



The forcing of crops under glass, particularly during the 

 winter months, has received attention from the experimental 

 standpoint, as in previous years. 



A fine bed of strawberries was set last spring with a view 

 of determining comparative values in fertilizing them for 

 maximum production. A fine selection of varieties for com- 

 parative tests was also set. 



It has been the custom of the department for a few years 

 to make a monographic study of a few crops each year. 

 Such a study has been made of the muskmelon and water- 

 melon, heretofore reported upon and published in bulletin 

 form. The material is on hand and half tone cuts made for 

 a similar bulletin on squash, which would have been pub- 

 lished before this had there been time to compile and edit 

 the data. 



Similarly has the data been taken and necessary photo- 

 graphs for illustrating types of the following vegetables, 

 pumpkins, beets and cabbage. 



During the past few years some very valuable notes have 

 been made in a very large number of horticultural varieties 

 that should be of great value to the department in future 

 work. Mr. Harry F. Hall, who was my associate until 

 September 1st ; Mr. Clarence Fowler and Mr. W. E. Belle- 



