28 N. H. AGR. EXPERIMENT STATION. [Bulletin 192 



In addition to the general distribution of time, indicated in the above state- 

 ment, it should be noted that a large correspondence comes to the Depart- 

 ment, a large part of which is cared for by the head. Also two reading 

 courses, one in Fruit Growing and one in Bee Keeping, are handled by W. H. 

 Wolff, which require a considerable amount of time as there is a large regis- 

 tration in both. A reading course in Vegetable Gardening is handled by 

 J. R. Hepler. 



All members of the scientific staff of the Department are caUed upon for 

 lectures away from the College, and at some seasons of the year this requires 

 considerable outside time. 



During the last year considerable writing of a popular nature was done by 

 the staff in connection with the Food Campaign. This writing consisted of 

 popular bulletins and newspaper articles. 



Among other activities in the nature of special pubHc services rendered 

 should be mentioned the service of J. H. Gourley as State Garden Supervisor 

 for the season of 1918, which required absence from the College more than 

 half his time diu-ing the growing season. He also devotes some time through- 

 out the year to the work of the State Horticultural Society. 



The development of the physical plant of the Horticulture Department dur- 

 ing the past two years has increased the work materially. Approximately 

 1,000 new fruit trees have been set and considerable new land put in to other 

 crops. 



HATCH PROJECTS. 



Variety Tests. 



This project has been continued from year to year as a means of determining 

 the valuable sorts of fruits, especially small fruits for the state. It is of special 

 value in connection with a study of hardiness of varieties. The work has been 

 expanded somewhat owing to the fact that the new horticultural farm offers an 

 opportunity to plant additional orchards and also to make more specific 

 studies with small fruits. This latter work includes a fertihzer test and prun- 

 ing work which has not previously been carried on. 



The variety work with tree fruits and grapes is not on a large scale but is 

 planned to give data with regard to certain of the more promising varieties 

 that have not been tested heretofore at this Station. 



Pruning of Apple Trees. 



This project is planned with a view of determining the best form of a tree to 

 grow in New Hampshire. There is much popular interest in this matter and 

 the orchard is laid out as follows : 



Block I — Pruned to vase-shaped trees. 

 II — Pruned to semi-leaders. 

 Ill — Pruned to leaders. 

 IV — Unpruned. 



In a few cases, where two rows of trees are of the same variety, one row is 

 •one-year-old and the other two-year-old trees. 



