[AssEMBLY, No. 98.] 121 
each of three varieties of strawberry and a few plants of two species 
of the huckleberry (Vacciniwm). leven varieties of grape, 
chiefly of the newer and comparatively untested varieties, have also 
been set out, together with a few plants of each of the four species of 
native grape, viz.:~ Vitis labrusca, V. aestivalis, V. cordifolia and V. 
riparia. The latter are intended to provide pollen for future hybridi- 
zation for the purpose of securing improved varieties. 
A water tank has been constructed in the garden, of brick, eight 
feet in diameter by three in depth, for convenience in watering plants 
and for making experiments with irrigation. Itis connected with the 
main supply-pipe which has head sufficient to carry water to any part 
of the garden. 
The lawn was in bad condition and contained a superfluous number 
of trees. The greater part of these have been removed, and a variety 
of the finer evergreens and flowering shrubs put out. 
A small green-house with an office and work-room attached has been 
constructed to aid in performing those experiments in grafting, ger- 
mination, etc., which require the conditions to be under constant con- 
trol. This will allow important work to be carried on during the 
winter months. 
Owing to cold weather in the latter days of March the hot-bed was 
not at the proper temperature for planting until April6. The plow 
was started in the garden April 3 — doubtlessa little premature for the 
best condition of the soil. The first planting (pease) was done April 4. 
The work of the fruit-grower and gardener is becoming more and 
more a warfare with insects and diseases. Scarcely a fruit or a vegeta- 
ble is without its blight, its bug, its borer or its decay. ‘T'o discover 
the cause of these evils and to devise practicable remedies for them is 
a broad field for the experimental horticulturist. The following record 
of the success and failures in our first year’s work is not offered as be- 
ing in any sense the conclusive testimony. It is only the outline of 
the methods that have been pursued in feeling after knowledge. 
BEET. 
Seeds of nine varieties of beet were planted in the garden April 19, 
the temperature of the soil, prepared as for onions, being at 48 degrees. 
The dates of vegetation and yields of the varieties were as follows: 

Yield, one] Average 

VARIETY. Vegetated.| Days. | row, 60 weight of 
feet long. roots. 
Lbs. Lbs. Oz. 
eEIVeDOOd AT UyNIP ... voice ieie.s May 7. | 18 1272 2 8 
Karly Yellow Turnip.......... May 7. | 18 1544 1 egy al 
Dark Red Egyptian...,........ May 8. | 19 1594 1 3"T3 
Long Smooth Blood ........... May 9. | 20 1114 5 aaa 4 
Dewing’s Imp. Blood Turnip...| May 8, | 19 119 1 14 
is PVE Weyer 5) Geyer: ere a May 7. | 18 1082 1 15 
Karly Flat Bassano ............ May 7. | 18 1804 ai HpLO 
ERE PATIDIOL faci Paw spel¥ls bev bie 2 May 7%. | 18 1103 1 3 
Swiss Chard or Silver.......... May 7. | 18 eel aatati coma lan 

[Assem. Doc. No. 98.] 16 
