REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST.

The work in the Horticultural Department the past season has been along the same lines as in former years, and in addition experiments with insecticides and fungicides have been conducted.

VARIETY TESTING.

The principal part of the work in variety testing was as follows:

(1.) Small fruits, including strawberries, raspberries and black berries. An account of the varieties of the fruits named was given in the Bulletin for October, 1891. Other fruits were so much injured by frost that a report was not possible.

(2.) Vegetables. The work of testing varieties of vegetables and determining synonyms presents such difficulties that it was determined. to make a new departure in methods. A variety test that is not carried through several seasons and on a considerable scale can not be conclusive, nor can synonyms be clearly made out unless observations are extended through several seasons. Hence it was determined to report upon no class of vegetables until the work was carried as far as means would permit, and as the results seemed to warrant and necessity demanded. It becomes necessary in carrying out this plan to make a separate report upon novelties as often as may be necessary. Such a report will probably be made during the year. The most important variety work now in progress is with onions, celery, lettuce, radishes, cauliflower, tomatoes, sweet corn and peas.

With onions the varieties are tested both in the ordinary manner, by sowing the seed in the open ground, and by sowing in the greenhouse and transplanting. This increases the work and makes a careful study of synonyms necessary. Considerable attention was given to this vegetable the past season, but the results are not ready for publication.

Lettuce and radishes are tested in the greenhouse, in hot beds and in the open ground. The progress made last season with these vegetables was satisfactory, but some results need verification.

Variety work with peas has been confined mainly to a comparison of the different strains of the so-called extra earlies.

The work with celery and sweet corn can probably be reported upon the coming season.

A variety test of potatoes was made at the Station and small lots were also sent to growers in different parts of the S'ate, and the results will be given in a subsequent bulletin.

Tomato trials have been made in the greenhouse and out of doors.

GREENHOUSE WORK.

Two well constructed greenhouses, each 20 by 100 feet, have been in use two seasons. Lettuce, radishes and tomatoes are the leading crops grown and mainly for variety testing, but not wholly. The houses have also been used for starting all classes of plants that are to be transplanted into the open ground. Asparagus, dandelion, pie plant and mushrooms have been grown under the benches.

Fertilizer tests were made last winter upon lettuce, radishes and tomatoes, the particular point aimed at being to test the value of nitrogenous fertilizers upon the above named crops when grown under glass. The results were wholly negative, no evidence being secured that would indicate that nitrate of soda or sulphate of ammonia were of any benefit. A rich compost was of course used, such as is ordinarily employed by gardeners.

Underground or sub-irrigation has been experimented upon two seasons in the greenhouse, the primary object being to supply water to lettuce plants without wetting the leaves, in order to test the theory that wet foliage favors the development of the rot fungus. These experiments are not complete, but the evidence is favorable to the plan. Not only is there less rot upon the sub-irrigated plots, but the growth is much better than upon those where surface watering alone is practiced, the increase in yield of crop being from 20 to 40 per cent. The indications at present are that this method of watering promises much for lettuce growers, but more experiments are needed to settle some points.

The greenhouses are heated with hot water, one being piped overhead, and the other underneath the benches. The difference between the results obtained with the two systems is not sufficient to warrant many general statements. The snow melts more quickly on the house where overhead heating is practiced, and the plants in this house are rather taller than in the other, but so far as lettuce is concerned the average weight per plant is about the same in the two houses. At present it would seem to be largely a matter of convenience as to which method shoull be adopted. The size of the glass is 16x24, and the evidence is decidedly in favor of this rather than a smaller size.

-CULTURAL METHODS.

Sub-irrigation has been given some attention, and particularly in connection with the bed method of growing celery. The experiments are not far enough advanced to speak confidently, but there seems to be reason to believe that the method can be used successfully upon this and several other garden crops.

A report can be given the coming season on the bed method of growing celery, and some other improvements in details of growing this crop.

Experiments in transplanting onions have been continued, and some new facts brought out that are of value, a report of which must be deferred for a time.

SPRAYING TO PREVENT FUNGOUS DISEASES AND THE DEPREDATIONS OF

INSECTS.

A report of this work has been given in Bulletin No. 9, December, 1891. There still remain some important questions to be investigated. Of the mixtures advised by other experimenters, the dilute Bordeaux mixture seems to possess the greatest advantages, but a new compound, devised last season and not fully tested, seems to be superior for certain purposes, and deserves further testing. The time that fungicides should be applied, as well as the number of applications, needs further investiga tion. Results indicate that early applications are necessary, but more complete demonstration is needed, nor have we yet determined the minimum number of sprayings required. Some indications sustain the belief that there might be a reduction of the strength of mixtures with economy and without risk. The plum rot and black knot are much dreaded diseases that have not been sufficiently experimented upon, but it is probable that both may be held in check with the proper preventives. Several diseases attack garden crops that have not been controlled. This work has been so full of good results the past season, and there are so many reasons for its continuance that it can not be dropped without great loss to important interests.

W. J. GREEN,

Horticulturist.

REPORT OF THE CONSULTING ENTOMOLOGIST.

By an arrangement between the Board of Control of the Station and the Entomologist of the United States Department of Agriculture, I was transferred to the Station on July 1st, 1891, the duties of Consulting Entomologist being added to those of Special Agent of the Division of Entomology, United States Department of Agriculture. It is expected that by this arrangement both the Department and the Experiment Station will be mutually benefited. The object of the combined offices will be the investigation of the habits of insects with especial reference to their relation to the various branches of agriculture, and to this object every thing else will be made subservient. Investigations and personal inspection will be made throughout the State when necessary, by order of the Secretary of Agriculture, and under the direction of the Entomologist, and the expense thereof will be borne by the Department. It is, therefore, especially desirable that all insect depredations be promptly reported to the Station. Bulletins will be issued from time to time, giving a concensus of all available information upon certain destructive insects, and the best methods of preventing or of controlling them.

In the matter of publications, the Consulting Entomologist has no personal pride whatever to gratify, and the number and nature of future bulletins will be largely in conformity with the actual wants of the agricultural public. The nature of correspondence received will be one of the important factors in deciding this matter. It is expected that each bulletin will treat of one or more insects separately, thoroughly, practically, and in as popular a manner as possible. As an illustration, Bulletin 5 treats of the Wheat Midge, Bulletin 7 treats of the Hessian Fly. Future numbers will be devoted to the consideration of other wheat destroying species, and the complete series will include all insects known to affect this cereal in the State of Ohio.

The limited time that has elapsed since the beginning of my work in this State will preclude the necessity for a lengthy report. The various subjects under investigation are as follows:

1. The Hessian Fly (Cecidomyia destructor), and the effect of climatic conditions on its development.

2. Studies of the various species of Crane Flies (Tipulida), with especial reference to preventing their depredations.

3. Studies of the habits of the several species of White Grubs (Lachnosterna).

4. Studies of the Fruit Bark Beetle (Scolytus rugulosus).

5. Investigation of the habits of a timber boring beetle (Lyctus striatus).

In addition to these, work is being pushed forward relating to many other insects of the orchard, garden and field.

F. M. WEBSTER,

3 A. Appendix.

Consulting Entomologist.