Feb., 1927] PROGRESS OF AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENTS 25 



crop because of unfavorable weather conditions. It appears to be more 

 subject to troubles due to lack of proper pollination than most other 

 sorts, and in view of its increasing commercial importance a special 

 study of its pollination problem should be undertaken. 



The increasing popularity of the Mcintosh has led to efforts on the 

 part of Experiment Stations interested in plant breeding to produce 

 varieties similar to it which will extend its season. Three of these 

 sorts have been planted in the Station test orchards this year, namely, 

 the early Mcintosh, the Macoun, and the Melba. 



Trees of the Cortland, a Mcintosh seedling which is later in season 

 than the parent, were planted in 1922 and have made excellent growth. 

 No fruit has as yet been obtained. In addition to the varieties men- 

 tioned Red Gravenstein and Red Spy were added to the list of varieties 

 under test. These bud sports of old standard varieties are of interest 

 because of the higher commercial value of well colored fruit. 



Pears 



The pear trees in the college orchards bore a fair crop in 1926. Ob- 

 servations were made by L. P. Latimer on trees in two orchards, one 

 in sod in relatively thin dry soil, and the other of cultivated trees 

 eight years of age in a relatively heavy soil. A number of varieties 

 show considerable promise as observed here and also in other parts of 

 New Hampshire. The trees of Flemish Beauty have made good growth 

 and are healthy. The form of the tree is somewhat spreading and 

 open. The crop was heavier than that of any of the other varieties in 

 sod. The pears were of good size and free from scab, the only defect 

 being that they had a tendency to drop rather badly in the sod or- 

 chard. The fruit is of high quality and the tree is as hardy to cold as 

 any other variety. In the cultivated plot trees of this variety had by 

 far the heaviest yields. The trees were vigorous and the fruit of good 

 size. The variety may be promising for the home garden. 



The trees of Clapp Favorite are in general healthy and are among 

 the most vigorous on the Station grounds. A good crop of large fruit 

 was produced on all trees under cultivation and in sod. The variety is 

 hardy to cold and is known in other sections as a regular bearer of 

 high quality fruit. 



The trees of Clarigeau are upright in form and especially vigorous. 

 The crop this season was good, comparing favorably with Clapp Fav- 

 orite. The fi-uit was of good size and color and, although heavy, hung 

 well to the tree until mature enough to harvest. It sized up remark- 

 ably well in spite of the fact that there was a heavy set and the trees 

 had not been thinned. Although of mediocre quality the fruit is 

 handsome and attractive because of its good form and intense red 

 color. 



Trees of Bartlett appeared less vigorous on sod and produced a 

 lighter crop than Clapp Favorite, Flemish Beauty and Clarigeau under 

 similar conditions. The young trees under cultivation made a some- 

 what better showing as compared to the other varieties. There was 

 little difference in date of maturity between Bartlett and Clapp Fav- 

 orite, but the former proved to be a better and longer keeping variety 

 after picking. 



