200 eee [ AssEMBLY 
green, averaged four and a half ounces each, while thirty-four roots 
from fully ripe seeds averaged six ounces each. 
In the trial of seeds from the terminal shoot and from the lower 
branches, we used three varieties, viz.: Early Dutch, Red Top, and 
Red Top Strap-leaf. 
The results were as follows: 
From Terminal Stalk. 
20 roots, Early Dutch averaged. ........0.020) aes 6.95 oz. each. 
Lier (Red top ne a Ge-t os LY NO T DOS 
ps. Red Top Strap-leat.averaged.©. .<4is ae 6: 00a 
Sixty roots of the three varieties averaged 6.78 oz. each. 
From Lower Branches. 
14 roots;arly Dutch averaged.....:.....%. alos oem 4.93 oz. each. 
1G hed -d'op Be Une Neat aA cree sis SY OR GAL 
By es = Red Lop Strapteaf averageds........% 7. Mee 5 DD yes 
Fifty-two roots of the three varieties averaged 5.69 oz. each. 
In this experiment, it appears that the roots grown from the seed 
from the terminal stalk averaged slightly more than an ounce heavier 
than those from the seed from the lower branches. 
Rvuta-BaGa. 
Seeds of the seven varieties of ruta-bagas mentioned in the table 
were planted in the garden May 24. All had vegetated the seventh 
day after planting. 
It appears that the Yellow Champion produced the largest roots, 
but that the white was most productive. A second planting of the 
same varieties was made June 23, which yielded very little crop. 
OnIon. 
Test of Varieties. 
We planted seeds from twenty-five differently named packages of 
onion seed, in the garden, April 25. A large proportion of the 
bulbs failed to mature in a majority of the plantings, and hence we 
cannot give the comparative yields. After the severe drought in 
August a new growth commenced, which continued in many of the 
varieties until they were harvested, late in October. We ascribe 
this failure to ripen, largely to a want of fertility in the soil. We 
applied a liberal dressing of stable manure during the winter of 
1883—4, but were obliged to rake it off in the spring in order to 
permit the soil to dry in season to put in the seed. Thus we lost a 
part of the beneficial effects of the manure. As our garden is not 
yet three years old, the soil is not in proper condition for crops that 
require much fertility. 
Hight samples only, labeled Bermuda, Early Red Flat, Early 
