1921.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 31. 49 a 



project, more particularly as it was necessary to depend upon 

 heat from the sun, the heating plant not being completed. 

 Ten strains of the greenhouse type of cucumbers, mostly from 

 local growers, were under test, to determine the comparative 

 yields. The first planting was made on the 3d of April, and 

 picking did not begin until late in June. A bad attack of an- 

 thracnose greatly damaged the test. The total yield per plant 

 averaged about one-half that of 1919. The variation in yield 

 between strains, so far as this test indicated, was so slight as 

 to leave the choice to market quality. In this there was con- 

 siderable difference. As the Boston market calls for a long 

 dark green type, the Belleville strain appeared superior, and 

 the yields were approximately the same as for some of the 

 shorter varieties. 



Greenhouse Lettuce. — The project of improvement of lettuce 

 for greenhouse production was started in the fall of 1920, with 

 a test of some thirty-five strains and varieties of lettuce, col- 

 lected from local growers and leading seedsmen in this country 

 and abroad. By the 30th of November the test had not pro- 

 ceeded far enough to show results. 



Increase in Equipment. 



The equipment for experimental work has been increased by 

 the completion of the heating plant and oil-burning apparatus, 

 also the purchase of two additional recording thermometers. 

 Each greenhouse is now equipped with self-registering ther- 

 mometers, and a complete record of night and day temper- 

 atures is being filed. 



