Agricultural Research in New Hampshire 51 



is abundant and causes serious injury to the plants. Until mildew re- 

 sistance is introduced into the breeding lines it is necessary to control 

 the mildew in the greenhouse by means of fungicides. 



Muskmelon foliage, whether in the field or greenhouse, is readily 

 injured by some fungicides. Therefore, the problem is to find a material 

 which will control mildew and not injure the plant. As sulfur is known 

 to be toxic to the mildew pathogen, three sulfur compounds. Kolofog, 

 Koppers notation sulfur, and potassium sulfide, were used in various 

 dilutions ranging from ]/\ pound in 100 gallons of water to 6 pounds per 

 100 gallons. Severe burning of the foliage occurred in all cases. Tem- 

 peratures in the greenhouse varied from 70°F. to 95°F. 



The following copper compounds were also used as sprays: Copper- 

 oxychloride sulfate, 1-100 to 2-100; Bordeaux mixture, 1-150; Cuprocide, 

 1-100. Of the copper compounds, Copper-oxychloride sulfate was the 

 most satisfactory. However, some injury occurred with this material 

 at the concentration used. 



Several organic fungicides have been obtained and will be tested 

 in the greenhouse this fall for the control of powdery mildew. (M. C. 

 Richards, R. W. Barratt) 



Squash Storage 



A new project has been initiated this year with horticulture and 

 several other departments cooperating. To date, only preliminary work 

 has been done. Squash stored in the apple cold storage proved to be 

 the most satisfactory in quality this year. Squash put in an air-tight 

 container developed carbon dioxide until actually more than 99 per cent 

 of the air was CO. This result would indicate that modified air storage 

 will probably not be successful with squash since respiration is not check- 

 ed when oxygen is exhausted. (Horticulture Department) 



A New Bean 



A white-seeded, small-pod, green bean is being developed with the 

 idea that it might be useful as a whole canning bean. Several strains are 

 nearing purification and are ready for tests this season. While these 

 seem to meet specifications fairly well, there is always a question whether 

 they will be acceptable to the trade. (Horticulture Department) 



CONTROL OF INSECTS 



The urgent needs of a critical war period are reflected in the research 

 program of the Department of Entomology. As soon as the United 

 States entered the World War the department adapted its investigations 

 to war needs. 



Fortunately, the work of the department was already largely cen- 

 tered on studies of spray materials. Two major investigations have been 

 under way for a considerable period, including studies of contact insecti- 

 cides and research in the performance of ovicides. The objectives in each 

 case were to discover fundamental facts as to the performance of these 



