DEPARTMEXT OF HORTICULTURE 119 



conditions by the head of the department during the year. At 

 the request of private parties, and at their expense, one liundred 

 thousand small pine trees were purchased of Western nuiserymen 

 and set out in Cheshire county. A quantity of chestnut and pine 

 seeds has been planted at this same place. About a barrel and 

 a half of black walnuts have been planted on the college farm 

 together with smaller amounts of other tree seeds. 



The United States forester has kindly sent us special experts 

 from that dejiartment at two different times during the year. 

 They have examined our college forest and suggested methods of 

 management, submittted one report, and have a second under 

 consideration. 



A number of shrubs, propagations of our own, were set out 

 about the buildings last spring, and the usual amount of bedding, 

 care of lawns, and so forth, as far as funds for labor would allow, 

 were carried out as usual. 



The barn west of the Experiment Station, which was turned 

 over to this department, is being repaired, and the convenience 

 of having the tools, vehicles, and general utensils, as plant stakes, 

 cold-frame sash, vegetable and fruit packages, plant boxes, etc., 

 all in a central place with some one responsible for them, will 

 facilitate matters. 



Taking everything into consideration the past season as regards 

 horticultural work was a prosperous one throughout the state, 

 and likewise in this dejmrtment. The season was a peculiar one 

 in many respects. Early vegetables were backward and did not 

 return what might be termed average yields. However, prices 

 were corresjiondingly high, so that the cash returns after all 

 were very satisfactory. Early tomatoes, potatoes, cabbage, cauli- 

 flower, cucumbers, etc., brought twice or three times as much as 

 on average seasons. From experience and observation it is 

 believed that we would do well in New Hampshire to cater more 

 to an early market. While the past season may be said to be 

 excejitional, these conditions occur frequently and, ordinarily, 

 prices are good at this time of the year. The selection of light 

 friable soils, and the use of plenty of stable manures, go very far 

 toward success with vegetables for earliness. Early varieties 

 must not be lost sight of in our climate. By experimenting 

 simply with the newly introduced varieties here at the Experi- 



