20 N. H. Agr. Experiment Station [Bulletin 262 



Apples May Need Washing 



Baths for apples must be given careful consideration by commercial 

 growers, according to a three-year study of spray residues just com- 

 pleted by G. F. Potter and G. P. Percival. 



Arsenical residues were determined on Baldwin apples receiving 

 one, two or three cover sprays in the seasons of 1927, 1928, and 1929. 

 The results indicate that if more than one cover spray is applied and 

 if the season has less than normal rainfall, there is danger of residues 

 existing greater than are permitted in foreign shipments or interstate 

 shipments of apples. 



This fact is of greatest significance to fruit growers since shipments 

 found to exceed the tolerance may be confiscated. Publication of this 

 work is contemplated prior to the 1932 harvest season. A service to 

 fruit growers by means of which orchardists, who fear excessive resi- 

 dues, may obtain inspection and determine the necessity for washing or 

 cleaning fruit may need to be instituted. (Furnell Fund) 



Acid Phosphate Helps Strawberries 



Some indication that acid phosphate is beneficial to strawberries 

 appeared in the quadruplicate plots supervised by L. P. Latimer. 



The series of plots receiving 1,500 pounds of acid phosphate yielded 

 18% more than the check, those receiving 1,000 pounds 9% more, and 

 those receiving 500 pounds 5% more. Plots to which 1,000 pounds of 

 potassium chloride have been applied annually for 9 years showed a 

 marked decrease in yield, nearly 30% under the checks. (Hatch Fund) 



Plant Breeding 



In an effort to determine the effect of environment on seed of repre- 

 sentative vegetables — hulless popcorn, Bonny Best tomatoes, and 

 Emerald Gem muskmelons of the same strains were grown by J. R. 

 Hepler from seed harvested locally and from seed produced in South 

 Carolina. The popcorn from New Hampshire seed averaged 49.6 

 inches in height, an increase of 8.6 inches, or approximately 20% over 

 that grown from South Carolina seed. No significant differences in 

 the total amount of vine growth, number of melons per plant, or size 

 of melon was observed. Owing to adverse conditions no measurements 

 were made on the tomatoes, but the plants from the South Carolina 

 strain appeared to be more vigorous than lliose from the New Hamp- 

 shire seed. 



Tests of several varieties of sweet corn were continued as in 1930. 

 Spanish Gold from the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station 

 appeared to be a very promising early yellow sweet corn for this terri- 

 tory. Gill's Golden Early Market also appeared promising, ripening at 

 nearly the same date but being rated slightly lower in quality. Golden 

 Bantam hybrids from the Indiana Station were of good quality but late 

 maturing. In variety tests of loniatoes the new Break-o-day looked 

 promising, having good size, color, and shape. The Shirley strain of 

 Bonny Best also showed up well. (Hatch Fund) 



