120 THIRTEEXTH ANNUAL REPORT 



ment Station we found same quite marked results. The new 

 tomato, Earliana, was extremely early, and as most of the fruit 

 sold at three dollars per bushel, it was a pronounced success. 

 A marked improvement was noted in the newly introduced gar- 

 den peas, some of the new wrinkled and sweet varieties maturing 

 with the form3r fl.ivorless kinds. These will be reported upon 

 more fully later. Our work of testing newly introduced veget- 

 ables has been continued as heretofore. 



During the midseason our nights were relatively cool, so much 

 so that the climatic conditions for warmth-loving plants, especially 

 the cucurbits, as melons, cucumbers, etc., caused much mildewing. 

 This fact taken together with the insect ravages, which were 

 extremely troublesome also on these plants, has had a discourag- 

 ing effect among growers who specialize with these crops. Spray 

 ing for the mildew was beneficial where attempted, but many did 

 not apply the Bordeaux mixture until too late. We noted quite 

 marked results from sprayed cucumber vines. Muskmelons sold 

 at very high prices and were largely imported. 



The apple crop was very light generally, it being the off year. 

 Pears were a fair crop, peaches light, with a good crop of plums. 

 The jjliims rotted badly, but where secured brought good returns. 

 The Burbank and Abundance plums, both Japanese varieties, 

 again proved their great value as fruits worth planting in the 

 state. While some rotted they nevertheless were much less 

 affected than the ordinary domestic sorts. Also from observation 

 we are convinced that they are far less susceptible to injury from 

 the sting of curculio than other sorts. Grapes again yielded well. 

 Small fruits were plentiful. Cherries were generally scarce. One 

 thing that seems strange is that the black-cap raspberries are not 

 more commonly cultivated in many sections. Where raised they 

 seem to be in demand at good prices. The large sized goose- 

 berries bring a batter price, and it is questionable whether the 

 Downing and Houghton will be grown so commonly in the future. 

 The three varieties of red currants that are proving best at the 

 station are Wilder, Cherry, and Fay. The black, or English, are 

 a more promising crop than we had thought. A few crates sent 

 to Boston netted us about 10 cents per quart. 



The best showing that the writer saw of large or orchard fruits 

 in the state, this season, were the exhibits at the Claremont fair, 



