62 MASS. EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 449 



Trellis Tomatoes. — In order to bring the highest prices on the Boston market, 

 tomatoes must have the following characters: (1) firmness, not only while ripen- 

 ing but when completely' ripe; (2) smoothness and uniform size; and (3) uniform, 

 deep red color. Not onlj^ do tomatoes with these characters meet with acceptance 

 in Boston, but other New England cities and New York City have paid premi- 

 ums for such fruit. 



Trials of tomato varieties and hybrids have been judged with the firmness 

 character in mind. Results indicate that many hybrids, while satisfactory in 

 other respects, do not meet the firmness requirement. Crosses between Trellis 

 No. 22 or Waltham Forcing and such varieties as Bonny Best, Stokesdale, Earli- 

 ana, and Pritchard produced fruit that was too soft. Red Cloud, Harkness, 

 Michigan State Forcing, and Quebec No. 5 have proved fairly satisfactory as 

 parents. 



The average early yield (first three pickings) of 10 hybrids was 3.94 pounds 

 per plant compared to 2.78 from Trellis No. 22. Where the plants were not trel- 

 lised but grown flat, the hybrids showed to better advantage. Trellis No. 22 X 

 Red Cloud produced 5.91 pounds of fruit per plant compared to 2.39 from Trellis 

 No. 22. This hybrid is probably sufficiently firm to satisfy the market. 



Two new varieties showed to sufficient advantage to warrant recommending 

 them to growers for trial. These are Quebec No. 5, from Laval University, Que- 

 bec, and Early Trellis, a sister selection of Trellis No. 22. 



Waltham Scarlet, a variety for the home gardener and roadside stand operator 

 that was released last year, proved to be earlier than in previous trials, being 

 equal to Trellis No. 22 when trained up and 75 percent as good when grown flat. 

 Total yields under both methods of culture wereabout equal to those of Trellis 

 No. 22. Its advantages are larger size and better interior color and texture, while 

 still retaining most of the firmness of Trellis No. 22. 



Greenhouse Tomatoes. — A spring crop of greenhouse tomatoes was grown for 

 comparison of Waltham Forcing with other varieties and hybrids. 



A hybrid between Waltham Forcing and Michigan State Forcing produced 10 

 percent more fruit than the Waltham Forcing. While this increase in yield is 

 sufficient to justify continued interest and trial, the fact that 33 percent more of 

 the fruit graded No. 1 is more impressive. At prevailing Boston Market prices, 

 cash returns amounted to $2.39 per plant for the Waltham Forcing and $3.06 for 

 the h^'brid. 



The hybrid had larger fruit, requiring 4.84 to weigh one pound as compared 

 with 5.38 for Waltham Forcing, and more vigor, and the plants remained greener 

 than the Waltham Forcing. Limited trials in growers* greenhouses have aroused 

 favorable comment, and seed production will be increased so more extensive 

 trials can be made. More information is also being obtained about the cost of 

 producing the hybrid seed. 



Butternut Squash. — During the year a crop of Butternut squash was grown in 

 the greenhouse in an effort to make up for the small number of selfed fruit ob- 

 tained in 1946. This crop was grown on trellis, in the same manner as cucum- 

 bers, and produced very satisfactory fruit. Even though seed was started on 

 February 15, only a part of the crop had matured by May 25, the time for plant- 

 ing seed outside. 



The summer crop was satisfactory as regards yield, with the best strain pro- 

 ducing over 500 boxes per acre. Insufficient data were obtained from many 

 lines because of inadequate stand. It was necessary to replant some rows be- 

 cause of failure of greenhouse-grown seed. Planting June 15 reduced the tota 



