EXPIjRIMIvNTS IN PRACTICAL HORTICULTURE. 23 



Plants handled in pots were kept at a more nearly uniform 

 rate of growth, and produced a higher percentage of marketable 

 heads ; this difference in some cases amounting to 20 per cent. 

 As a result of trimming it was found that there was practically 

 no difference in earliness nor in size of head, while as a rule the 

 per cent of heads formed was greater from plants not trimmed. 

 In no case were as satisfactory results obtained from the mulch- 

 ing as from frequent cultivation. 



Nearly all of the leading varieties have been grown, and it is 

 evident that the cauliflower may be successfully cultivated in this 

 region. The most valuable sorts are of the Dwarf Erfurt and 

 Snowball types, with Algiers for late in the season. (Report 

 for 1893 and Bulletin 10.) 



Bgg Plant. 



Egg plant studies included methods of culture ; varieties ; and 

 crossing. 



It was demonstrated that with careful treatment the egg plant 

 may be successfully grown in central Maine, the most important 

 requisites being: early sowing; vigorous plants; late removal to 

 the field ; warm, rich soil. Most of the well-known varieties are 

 too late for this climate, but Early Dwarf Purple, Early Long 

 Purple and Long White were satisfactory. Several crosses were 

 made between white-fruited and black-fruited types. After four 

 years of breeding it was found that no type sufficiently constant 

 in color to be of value commercially was produced. There was, 

 however, a marked increase in vigor and productiveness as a 

 result of crossing. In the first generation the purple-fruited 

 types seem stronger in their power to transmit color to the off- 

 spring than do the white-fruited types ; and this law appears to 

 hold whether the purple type is used as the male or the female 

 parent. In later generations the inherent strength of the white- 

 fruited types appears stronger than in the first. In all cases the 

 white-fruited types appear stronger than the purple in the power 

 to transmit form and productiveness. (See Annual Reports, 



1891-3-) 



Radish. 



With the radish, the principal questions considered have been, 

 the relative value of large and small seed ; the effect of sub- 



