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REPORT OF THE ASSISTANT HORTICULTURIST. XXI 
Report of the Assistant Horticulturist. 
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To the Director of the Storrs Agricultural Experiment Station: 
Str:—Since taking up the work of the horticultural depart- 
ment in June of the present year several lines of investigational 
work have received attention. At this early date, however, 
very little reliable data can be produced. 
The diversity of opinion as to the best methods of orchard- 
ing in New England and the varying degrees of success from 
such methods have made it seem advisable to investigate the 
subject. The first phase of the subject to receive attention 
was that of cover crops. The use of a ten-acre peach orchard 
was secured for the purpose, and twenty-five different crops 
are being tested. 
- With a view of securing definite information regarding the 
cost of renovating neglected apple orchards and of demonstra- 
ting the relative economy of the practice, a small neglected 
orchard in the vicinity of Storrs was leased. The process of 
renovating is now under way. 
The young orchard started last year is being used to demon- 
strate the efficiency of the so-called grass mulch system as 
adapted to the rough, untillable land of the state. 
Spraying experiments with potatoes, cucumbers and beans 
have been continued during the past season. Special attention 
has been given to the relative efficiency of arsenate of lead and 
Paris green for the potato beetle, and to ascertain the influence 
of Bordeaux mixture upon vegetation aside from its fungicidal 
properties. 
Many inquiries from various sections of the state have been 
received in regard to an unaccountable injury to the foliage of 
apple trees. The most serious injury occurred in the vicinity 
of Storrs and especially in the college orchards. Examination 
revealed a small insect known as the Apple Leaf Miner ( 77s- 
cheria malifoliella) and which burrows under the cuticle of the 
