Jan. 1923] annual report 27 



The small fluctuations recorded can scarcely be considered significant, 

 although it is noteworthy that there is a decrease in yield on the limed por- 

 tions of the green manure plots and an increase in yield on the limed por- 

 tions of the plots receiving light applications of manure. 



Variety Test of Fruits. 



The Hansen Hybrid plums planted in 1921 blossomed in 1922 but did 

 not set more than a few scattering jjlums. Golden Delicious apples fruited 

 for the first time on top grafts which had been set two years previously. The 

 grafts have grown vigorously and evidently fruit freely on young wood. 

 A planting of approximately 70 red Delicious trees was made on the Horticul- 

 tural Farm in order to give this variety the commercial test of which it now 

 appears worthy. The trees which had been grown in the Thompson Or- 

 chard indicate that the tree is entirely hardy and that the fruit as produced 

 under New Hampshire conditions is not of large size but is of good color and 

 quality. The chief question in regard to planting this variety for com- 

 mercial purposes is as to the quantity of fruit which it will produce over a 

 series of years. Should it compare favorably with Baldwin as a heavy bear- 

 ing variety, it will undoubtedly become one of the commercial apples of this 

 region. Observations have been made on new varieties which have been 

 grown in other sections, and the decision has been reached to include in the 

 test orchard the varieties Chautauqua and Cortland which were originated 

 at the New York Experiment Station. Both of these varieties are fall apples 

 which give promise of being of considerable merit. The Rochester peach 

 and Latham raspberry will also be added to the list of varieties under test. 



Pruning Experiment with Young Apple Trees. 



The trees planted in 1919 have been pruned to the vase form, semi-leader 

 and full leader types of head as in previous seasons. Records have been made 

 on increase in trunk diameter and the amount of growth removed in pruning. 

 The summary of these records is given in the following table: 



Vase form Semi-Leader Full Leader Unpruned 

 Head Head Head 



Inches diameter Mar. 1921 ... . 1.0 1.1 1.0- 0.7 



Inches diameter Mar. 1922. ... 1 . 26 1 . 36 1 . IS 0.91 



Inches increase diameter 0.26 0.26 0.18 0.21 



Inches twigs pruned 1921 275 . 4 314 . 4 323 . 2 



Inches twigs pruned 1922 419 . 6 459 . 5 453 . 9 



The pruning of the trees has been heavy in 1921 and 1922 in order to shape 

 the heads. It is probable that the relative severity of the pruning will be 

 very much decreased from this time on. The semi-leader trees have thus 

 far been pruned in exactly the same manner as the full leader trees, but in 

 the season of 1923 the leaders will be suppressed and growth directed into 

 the main foundation branches. This experiment should prove to be of 

 considerable interest if carried on for a number of years. Records will be 

 made on the time consumed in pruning for each type, relative costs of spray- 

 ing, and other orchard experiments and yields of fruit and the proportion 

 of different grades as determined by color and size will be recorded . 



