22 Directror’s REPORT OF THE 
Hexagonal folding fumigator—For the work on Long Island a 
new form of fumigator was devised, which possesses some 
advantages over all other forms. This is hexagonal in form, 
with sides hinged to allow of folding into compact form for 
transportation and storage, and with removable folding top. In 
operation the box is held rigid by the top and by braces at the 
bottom. Two sides and part of the top swing back easily to 
allow of placing the fumigator about the tree to be treated. The 
hexagonal form avoids waste space about the tree. 
DEPARTMENT OF HORTICULTURE. 
The forcing of lettuce has come to be one of the important 
industries connected with market gardening in this and adjacent 
States. In 1895 a line of experiments was undertaken at this 
Station bearing upon practical problems which are to be met in 
the business of forcing lettuce. The first report on this line of 
work was given in 1898, in Bulletin 146, and also in the Station’s 
Annual Report for that year. This report treated of ‘ Soil Mix- 
ture for Forcing Lettuce,” and “The Use of Commercial Fer- 
tilizers in Forcing Head Lettuce.” In the conclusions therein 
set forth it was stated that when the soil was fertilized with 
heavy applications of stable manure no advantage seemed to fol- 
low the addition of either sulphate of potash, acid phosphate or 
nitrate of soda. On the clay loam mixed with 154 per ct. stable 
manure by weight a slight increase in growth followed the addi- 
tion of nitrate of soda. Since 1898 the investigations have been 
continued each year for the purpose of gaining further informa- 
tion on the economical use of commercial fertilizers in forcing 
lettuce either when used alone or in combination with stable 
manure. Nitrogenous commercial fertilizers were tried alone 
and in combination with various percentages of manure. The 
tests were made with loose lettuce and head lettuce both ona 
medium clay loam and a light sandy loam. The nitrogenous 
commercial fertilizers which were compared were nitrate of 
soda, at the rate of 600 lbs. per acre, sulphate of ammonia 480 
Ibs. per acre, dried blood 1,000 lbs. per acre, and a combination | 
