1900.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 33. 97 



Immediate results are constantly called for in the case of 

 widely advertised new varieties, but such results can l)e ob- 

 tained only under a series of seasons and varying conditions 

 of growth. This work of testing varieties is begun at once 

 upon introduction, and is hastened by all possible means. 



The experiments under way, in addition to the testing of 

 varieties, are as follows : — 



1 . The girdling of the grape vine for profit. 



2. Spraying fruit trees when in bloom, to change the bearing 

 year. 



3. Spraying peach trees during the winter with lime, to protect 

 the flower buds from winter-killing. 



4. The use of dilute copper sulfate in place of the ammouiacal 

 carbonate of copper. 



5. The testing of insecticides and fungicides. 



6. The testing of spraying apparatus. 



7. The use of clear kerosene and kerosene and water for the 

 destruction of scale insects and aphides. 



8. The protection of young fruit trees from mice. 



9. Various kinds of grafting wax. 



10. Various methods of grafting. 



11. Whole roots and piece roots in apple root-grafting. 



12. Different kinds of stocks for the pear. 



13. Growing seedling fruit-tree stocks. 



14. The use of hydrocyanic acid gas for the destruction of in- 

 sects under glass. 



15. Turf culture v. cultivation in growing apples. 



16. Amount and kinds of fertilizers needed for best growth of 

 fruits. 



17. Green manuring for orchards. 



18. Comparative hardiness of varieties of Japanese plums. 



19. Growth of lettuce under glass. 



20. Growth of tomatoes under glass. 



Assistance has been given many horticulturists by visiting 

 their places or answering inquiries by letter, which takes a 

 large share of the time of the head of the division. Assist- 

 ance has also been given in man}- places in planning orna- 

 mental i)lanting of home and pul^lic grounds. 



