^«-^MC EXPERIMENTAL WORK ^ovucultural Depar^^^ ^/^ Colorado Agricultural College, FORT COLLINS, COLORADO. FORT COLLINS, COLO. : The Courier Book and Job Print. 1886. ..-5 CONTENTS. Experiments with Potatoes, ....... i Irrigation in Horticulture, ----.... lo Report on Grasses, ......... 15 Report on Weeds, .......... is Report on Forestry, ........ 20 Report on Fruits, .-......-. 25 Report on Garden Vegetables, ..-...- 29 Smut on Grass, .......... 37 Report on Seed Tests, ........ 33 INTRODUCTORY. I herewith submit my third annual report of experiments in Botany and Horticulture, the nature and purpose of which are amply set forth in the report for 1884, which shows the importance and value of careful experiments in this State, and the necessity that ex- ists for their continuance over a series of years. While the season has, on the whole, not been without its disappointments and acci dents, still the comparative absence of insect foes, and the ability we possess in the pos session of water to keep our plants doing their best at all times, forces upon us the great advantages of Colorado as an agricultural State, and as a field for experimental work that will, it is hoped, prove of some value to the people of our State. Certainly our checkered experience in the culture of fruit and forest trees would suggest to us forcibly enough the necessity of selecting only such kinds as arc hardy, do not start too early in spring, and that make a definite annual growth. James Cassidy, Professor of Horticulture. Colorado Agricultural College, 1886. . Horticultural Department. EXPERIMENTS WITH POTATOES. The potatoes in this comparative test of varieties were cut to oue eye each, discarding the seed end. The soil was put in excellent tilth and fertility, by frequent working and manuring. The lows were laid off three feet apart, and the earth remov- ed to a depth of six inches ; in the bot- tom of the trendies was piaced a com- post of well decayed stable manure and coal ashes to a depth of three inches, on which the sets were placed one foot apart ; the trenches were then filled to one inch above the surface and raked smooth. The potato crop has become one of great importance to American farm- ers ; the product, in favorable seasons, is well on to 200,0U0.O0a bushels : the demand, too, is steady and growing, especially wherever the soil is particu- larly adapted to its production. Of the varieties now cultivated many are so highly meritorious that it would seem to be well nigh impossi- ble to improve on them. We are far from thinking, however, that !-uffi- cieut care is exercised in fixing the good qualities so necessary in every candidate for public approval. Many ot the so-called crosses are really the result of chance, the grower has had but little to do with the origination of the variety ; such important features of a perfect potato, as a medium top, prolificacy of yield, closeness in the hill and good flavor, are the result of chance. The objection we have to some of the newer varieties of the po- tato is that this tuber bearing habit is not sufficiently fixed. In adverse seasons, or under other unfavorable conditions, as those of soil or of climate, as on being grown in Europe or in widely distant parts of our own coun- try, they fail to retain their good qual- ities for any length of time. The claim of best for each new kind is generally not without reason, for some varieties do better under certain conditions than others, and others again seem to have their peculiarities so well fixed as not to he seriously af- fected by the most adverse conditions. There are probably some soils, too, in which the potato deteriorates, or like some fruits, they are adapted only to the surroundings in which they origi- nated ; this would seem to be the case with the Neshannock, once a great favorite <>n the plains, but now seem- ing to have lost the tuber bearing EXPERIMENTS WITH POTATOES. faculty, except when grown in the mountains at high elevations. All of the varieties flowered, but only the coarse topped, late tuber de veloping kinds, bore seed, for the rea- son, I imagine, that some varieties seem to be bred to make tubers early in their growth, and only a moderate top and no seed, as in tlie Early Rose, although, doubtless, the latter could be induced to furnish an abundance of seed by removing the tubers as they formed— as the late Mr. Knight did. While others, as the Ruby, and Comp- ton Surprise, every year bear an abun- dance of seed balls, and a very coarse top, but have not the tuber bearing faculty very strongly developed, nor are their tubers borne sufficiently close in the hill to realize one's ideal of the perfect potato. We regard these berry-bearing kinds, for tlie cir- cumstances under which Ihey are grown here, as seriously impairing their value, as we believe them to be born at tlie expense of tubers. Tuber bearing is not the chief function of many of the Solanums and hence per- haps the tendency to running to top seen in many varieties of the potato. We know from experience with some plants under domestication, that they, to a great extent, lose tbeir ability to produce seed if continuously propaga- ted for any length of time l)y any of the methods of division, as in the Ban- ana, the Baldwin apple and the well established varieties of the garden ver- bena, which rarely produce much seed, for the reason that they are only continued by propagation from cut- tings, and this continued propagation by division may be the reason why many varieties of the potato are so shy in seed bearing. The past season cannot be called a sufficient test of the many varieties planted, owing to a blight appearing on the foliage arresting all further de- velopment of tuber for tiae season. Doubtless varieties that have failed this season, would, in a more favora- ble year, prove meritorious. Although so many kinds were a failure, and none were up to the high expectations we at one time bad reason to expect, yet, on the whole, the test is a profit- able one, inasmuch as it enables one to determine on what varieties to pin our faith. That the loss of stem and foliage would seriously impair the ta- ble value of the coarse-growing kinds, we expected from experience. The chemical composition of the po- tato varies with th e soil in which it is grown, the season, and nature of the fertilizers used. The best potatoes contain about 20 per cent, of starch ; it is formed in the leaves, and hence to have good potatoes the leaves must be uninjured throughout the season of development. If they are destroyed by insects or disease the tubers must suffer in quality, as they have this season. A green or half grown potato does not contain as much starch as a ripe one, for the tuber is not at its best until the leaves and stems have depos- ited all of tlieir starch in them for the perpetuation of the species. The blight of the foliage we attrib- ute to the exceptional warmth of the season heating the soil to an unnatural extent for this plant. For although '.he potato delights in a moderately cool climate, it can be grown in such as are much warmer than that in which it does best, and also in a much colder one. The roots strike down deep, where it is cool and moist, but the tubers are impatient of a soil too wet. In the mountains, at high ele- vation, blight is unknown, and in soils on the plains peculiarly adapted EXPERIMENTS WITH POTATOES. to the potato, almost perfect immunity from the disease is not uufrequentiy noticed. I am further led to look upon this as an inducing cause of blight by reason of the fact that the potato may be grown under mulch, even in the most unfavorable seasons, providing always that varieties are used that tuber quickly and that do not expend their vitality in growing top. The size of the top in such varie- ties bears an evident and definite re- lation to the development of tuber, and especially is tbis so if the seed has been cut to one eye or to two separate eyes. Of the potato it may be truly said that it will grow in almost any kind of soil, but the soil best adapted to it, however, is loose and frial)ie ; its na- ture would suggest this, because the tuber must push the soil from around it in the process of growth, and if the soil be hard and lumpy the tuber will be misshanen and its vital forces seri- ously impaired. The tendency of all irrigation is to bind more solidly all adhesive, flne-grained soils, so that the first requisite of success as regards the soil is to see to its mechanical con- dition, and in the application of water that no flooding of the soil occurs, and that the water is shut off when in the judgment of the operator a sufficien- cy has been applied, for it is as true under irrigation as without it that soils which hold water too long and which will bake, either after rain or irriga- tion, are entirely unfitted for the cul- ture of the potato. We irrigated four times, because our land is rolling and the soil stiff and adhesive, so that irri- gating such land would seem iimch like pouring water on the back of a duck. Land more level and porous, and hence more susceptible to irriga- tion, has oft< n a sufficiency in one or two waterings, and in certain cases even without any. Flat culture, sosucce&sfully practiced at the east, would be luite inconsis- tent with the practice of any system of irrigation, as the potato on any soil, but especially on a stiff one, is impa- tient of surface watering. To grow the potato at all the soil must be ridged or furrowed to enable the water to pass along between the rows and seep from side to side but never to reach or flood the whole surface of the soil This objection will not apply with the same force to soil heavily mulched, for the reason that such land does not bake. As to the distance apart, this depends altogether on the character of the soil and the variety planted. Some kinds, especially on rich soils, and with too much water, will make excessively large tops, and must have more room than varieties bred to m I ke tuber instead of top. The earliest varieties were Early Kent, Early Sunrise, Alpha, Clark's No, 1, Early Harvest, Lee's Favorite and Early Ohio ; all of these done well and iiad it not l)een for the blight, they would have neen exceptionally fine. Other and later kinds that were ad- mirable were Cap Sheaf, Queen of the Valley, Winslow, Bliss' Triumph, Steuben Beauty, Wells' Seedling, Diamond, Boston Cracker, Corliss, Matchless, Rubicund, Electric Craw- ford's Seedling, Howard, Cayuga, Rosy morn, Boston Market, El Paso, Belle, Manhattan. Baker's Imperial, Goodrich, Beauty, Hebron and White Elephant. Many others done moder- ately well, and still others again were an utter failure, notably so, Rural Blush, Dakota Red, Telephone, Bur- bank, McCormick and many others, as will be seen by the following table ; EXPERIMENTS WITH POTATOES. TABLE OP EXPERIMENTS. Variety. Qualitv of Seed. Alamo Prairie Farmer Cap Sheaf Clark's No. 1 Farina Wiuslow Home Comfort American Magnum Bonum.. Queen Valley Early Telephone St. Patrick Wisconsin Rochester Favorite Jones' Prize Taker Knapp's Snow Bank Dakota Pved Rubicund Electric Jordan's Early Russet Belle (Wis.),." Cook's Superb (Wis.) Manhattan Rose's Seedling (Wis.) El Paso (Ohio) Defiance Ciiicago ]\Iarket McCormick Western Rose Carpenter Seedling Rural Rlush Carpenter's Seedling (Oliio) Crawford Seedling Alpha Carpenter Seedling (Wis.)... Silver Skin Early Telephone (Wis.) Salt Lake Black Stock Neshannock Salt Lake Queen Conqueror Fair, smooth.... Large, sound.... Fine, sound Large, sound.... Medium sound. Large, smooth.. Large, smooth 4..1 Large, decaying 4 Large, fine 25..1 Medium 6 Medium, sound 14..1 Fine, sound 8. .2 Large, scabby 20.. 1 Large, fine 16 Large, fine 10 Large, fine 24..4 Medium, sound 25 Large, sound lfi..l Medium, sound 23. .2 Poor, sound 8 Large, decayed 24..7 Large, sound 17. .4 Large, decayed Fine, decayed 12. .3 Fine, decayed 17. .1 Fine, decayed 5. .2 Medium, decayed S..3 Fair, sound 30 Large, decayed 9. .9 Medium, sound 4. .4 Medium, sound 20 Medium, sound 23. .6 Medium, sound 18. .2 Small, decayed 8. .2 Smooth, fine 13.. 2 Fine, sound 1()..3 Extra, sound 16. .1 Small, shrunk 6 Fair, sound 12 Fair, sound 10 1..3 3..4 5..3 4..2 1..2 4 12 15 4..9 1..3 2..4 1..10 3..12 3 2..2 4..5 4..9 2..4 2..7 1..9 2..11 2..4 3 1..2 2 1..4 1..2 4..1 2..1 1..2 3. .8 3..12 2..10 1..4 1..6 2..1 2..4 12 1..2 1 2..4 12 30 13..3 1..3 19 1 22 1 12 3 16..1 11 5 20 20 10 19 4 20 10 20 7 11 1..2 2..3 25 2..9 1 17 22..6 10..2 4 8 10 7 6 7 5 2 4 5 4..6 3..1 4 3..1 5 2..1 5..2 4 5 5 4..4 5 6..1 4..2 4 4..7 7 2 5 6 4 6 5 7 3..4 3 •1..6 8 4..1 5..2 6 9..1 6 5 5..2 99..50 195..52 .387..12 209..29 4..52 278..18 49..09 48..24 303 15 72..36 163..30 98..48 242..4.T 193..3(i 12 1. .06 293..25 302..0.V 194..21 280..10 96..48 295..42 2U8..43 266..12 147..28 206..27 62..22 99..04 36..18 115..42 51..25 242 2S2..50 219..40 98..40 159.. 10 195..52 194..21 72..S6 145..12 122..52 EXPERIMENTS WITH P0TAT6ES. TABLE OF EXPERIMENTS— Continued. Variety. H". ro — ^ Quality of Seed. $. K Si a fC K Jq crq r-t- (^+ ^■ o '-' ►^ l-O ^• Ch o o a> ^ K ?5 ~ 3= CO O p P Oi ro o ^. N : cc ^ tfl O UQ B Parson's Prolific Grange (Ohio) Silver Skin (Ohio) State Maine Baiter's Imperial Telephone (Ohio) Lee's Favorite Extra Early Snowball..., Jordan's Prolific (Ohio) Belle (Wis.) Morton White Orange County White.. Snow Flake Mullen Dundeary , Goodrieii Ruby Beauty of Hebron Seedling Salt Lake Queen Daw Salt Lake Seedlin Wiii'te Elephant '. Howard Bli.ss Triuni])h Wiiite Star Cayuga American Giant Silver Skin Duchess Bonanza .James Vick Bermuda Belle (Wis.) Watson's Seedling Luxury Pride of America La Plume Mammoth Pearl Butter Ball Early Sunrise Cap Sheaf (Ford) Detiaiice (Wis.) Burbank Fair, sound Large, decayed Poor, decayed Medium, smooth, sound .Medium,smootl),sound i\[edium, unsound Medium, sounri Medium, sound Meil.'um, .sound ^lediuin, decayed Large, decayed Medium, sound Medium, sound Medium, sound Large, S()nn a> - Cfi; =5- 01? 3- aQ_ 5 t 1 o O 2, a. t» , , "^ r B P < '^- ? = £- (t SI How Treated. S r ? o p re P ^ arii'tv. o o ^^ o ^ j» 5 . Peerless Breeze's Nn. (>. Peerless Breaze's No. (i Peerless Breeze's No. (i Peerless Breeze's No. 6 Peerless" One eye One eye Two separate eyes.. Two separate eyes.. One eye on surface One eye on surface Seed end Seed end Stem end Stem end Large wliole potato Laruje wliole potato Half potato Half potato Small potato Small potato 2 28 S..2 2 24 9..1 2 23 f)..2 2 22 6..1 13..4 3..4 10..2 2 2 8 26..1 4..1 3 2«..2 5 3 22..7 2 3 21. .3 3 3 30 12 3 31. .4 9 3 27..1 7..1 3 20..2 6 3 32..5 10 3 30..1 12 .1 3..10' 3..02 3 .2 3..04 .1 2..01J .22 I3..O3' .2 3 .7|2..12 .32..07 3..06 .4 3..12 .1 I3..O3 .23..04 .53..08 .l!3..09 266..12 242..20 27.S..18 266..12 l(i0..19 122..52 3ir)..21 340..4() 271. .30 256..22 363 378..07 32(i..27 243..52 390..r)9 363..45 EXPERIMENTS WITH POTATOES. much in this, if one's land is not in the best mechanical condition as there is danger of dry winds affecting the seed unfavorably. Small cut seed has the trreat advantage, however, of re- quiring a much less quantity of tubers to plant an acre, and if it can be shown that the use of small cut seed is as effective in producing a full crop as the use of larger pieces a great gain in the aggregate must necessarily ensue. Amid the conflict of experiments and opinions it is a good plan to select only sound seed and if it is cut to single eyes to leave sufficient bulk to insure sustenance to the growing plant, and this will be impossible if none but the smallest tubers are used for seed. TABLE 3— POTATOES PLANTED AT DIF- FERENT DEPTHS. O k! 5i ^ ^ t?d •o a> c» T) 0< o P* P* B so o o o a> o •-*^ •-^ s B S' , , CO a> t:^ p P< P 5' P 3 "P o o 9 ■a n> -1 so Mode of Preparing P" so P o 3 ■p Tubers. ra CO S m o p" p' S P N f 3 p' c p* s p 3 o a p o p w p- B a> p T3 ■o 3 O o P p p p O tt> a> o N 350 Ifes Tank manure 10 66 34 131 200n)sSalt 8.6 37 63 101.20 200 ft)S Gypsum 6.5 9 30 30 36 75 70 64 25 76.23 108.54 250 ftis Hen manure 363 50 bushels Lime 4.8 30 70 54.27 100 lbs Tobacco 4.3 25 75 50.40 No manure 6.2 40 60 74.28 10 IRRIGATION IN HORTICULTURE. IRRIGATION IN HORTICULTURE. The science and practice of irriga- tion have been appreciated in all asjes of the world's history by people pos- sessing the most varied climates, and of every grade of civilization ; the re- mains of whose work in oriental coun- tries proves them to have had no small knowledge of hydraulic science and engineering devices. The profitable application of water to land may be said to be almost a science, requiring sound judgment, with experience and keen observation to insure success, and which practice alone can give, combined with areasonable knowledge of the needs and nature of the plant's grown, as well as at least a physical knowledge of the soils with which we have to deal. For in many soils the presence of a hard-pan, whether it oc curs there naturally or is induced by the slide of the plow and tramp of the horses by continued plowing at the same depth, must ever be a serious drawback to successful plant growth wherever it occurs. There are differ- ent kinds of hard-pan, and whenever the roots of plants strike and cannot penetrate them, they deflect and pro- ceed in a horizontal direction, and hence suffer because not below the frost line, and within reach of perma- nent moisture. If such a deep rooting subject as alfalfa plant should fail on the unirrigated plains, it seems to me it will largely be due to the presence of a hard-pan preventing the roots reaching a permanent moisture. Much conflict of opinion and expe- riences seems to exist among horticul- turists in regard to the amount and frequency of irrigation needed in the culture of the larger fruits ; such difler- ences are due no doubt to a lack on the part of some, or of perhaps all, in not taking into consideration all ol the attending circumstances, such as the character of the soil and sub. soil, the amount of moisture in the lattei, which will hinge upon its contiguity to irrigating ditches or springs, to some extent on its elevation and the amount of irrigated land in its neigh- borhood. To justly recognize cause and effect, enables us to correctly in- terpret the teachings of nature, and this requires a most careful considera- tion of all the attending circumstances in relation to eacli other. In open, sandy soils tbe water rises rapidly trom below, but only to a moderate height, and are improved for horticultuaal purposes bv liaving a more dense sub-soil that will draw up water from greater depths than if the whole dej)th of soil were of the same open, sandy character; while soils composed of very flnely comminuted particles the rise of moisture from be- low is comparatively slow, taking quite a lomi time in reaching its high- est point, which is several times high- IRRIGATION IN HORTICULTURE. 11 er than those of more open character ; these soils are compact, and when pooi'ly tilled exhibit gaping craclis after irrigation, if not thoroughly cul- tivated. A well tilled soil maintains both a quicker supply of moisture from below and a slower surface evapora- tion, thereby insuring a more steady supply of moisture throughout the growing season. Water exerts a beneficial influence upon the soil and upon vegetation, in that it supplies moisture, by which vegetation is made possible, and that by conveying and mingling such an amount of oxygen with the soil as could not get there as air, and which is requisite to form the nitrates and carbonic acid, and thus aid in dissolv- ing the food elements of the soil for the growth of plants. While water and the air it contains are all potent in the growth of plants, and by its aid we are enabled to obtain a liberal plant growth on the poorest soils ; yet for the jiurposes of intensi fled horticulture seen in tiie growth of leaf plants it has its limits; fertilizers on upland soils especially are now in- dispensable to the horticulturist in dealing with the plants of our time, whose improved character can only be maintained in theirgreatest perfec- tion by inexorably high culture. The quantity and frequency of irri- gation for the production of a full crop of any horticultural product, will de- pend upon a variety of considerations, and chief among them is the atfinity of the plant itself for water, combined with a knowledge of the area and depth of soil upon which it feeds. The cultivator must observe whether the plants he wishes to grow are shallow or deep rooted, whether the roots break up into a mass of fibeiS near the surface or partake of the nature of a thickened underground stem extend- ing several feet in length, with but few fibers, as the alfalfa. The roots of the strawberry have been traced to a depth of three feet, extendinsr nearly vertically, under the plant; the horizontal or fibrous roots cover an area scarcely exceeding that of the leaves, and from this we infer that close and deep cultivation cannot injuriously affect the roots. The roots of the grape have been found at a depth of eleven feet. They will, during the season of greatest ac- tivity, go down to the sources of perm- anent moisture. The rooting habit of the tomato and some other plants is the opposite of this. It possesses a multiplicity of fibrous roots which cover and feed upon an area quite five feet in diam- eter, and within twelve inches of the surface ; its tap-root, however, we have traced to a depth of nearly three feet. Vegetation should be encouraged to root downward for its permanent moisture. The chemical elements of fertility may exist in the soil in sutH- cient quantity ; yet heat, light and air are the prime essential stimulating forces of plant growth, to which mois- ture is a contributing factor, and which we in this climate are privileg- ed to apply or withold at will; to to apply is the work of irrigation, to conserve is the provinceof cultiva- tion. The agriculturist is, however, more the slave of circumstances than is the gardener, for the latter can, by modi- fication of treatment, keep his plants in a growing condition, and thus pre- vent their flowering at an improper time; indeed, a prime oliject of cul- ture IS to stimulate the vegetative function and thus keep in idiei-k the 12 IRRIGATION IN HORTICULTURE. fruiting organs and delay the period of bloom. Surface irrigation, whether prac- ticed out ff doors or in the plant- house, cannot be too strongly con- demned, as it unquestionably induces surface rooting, and this is not a desir- able result in any ciimate. Tbat plants of a permanent character may be able to withstand the vicissitudes of our climate, their feeding roots sbould be well below the surface, and this result can be accomplished only by thorough and deeplonseiiing of the soil, so that when irrigation is had re- course to it may be thorough ; occa- sional sprinklings not being nearly so beneficial as an occasional saturation. Surface waterings, besides promoting surface rooting, induces a continuous evaporation and refrigeration of the soil, the latter acting as a wick, draw- ing water by capillary attraction to be absorbed at the surface by the air which it come?! in contact with, and depositing at the surface its salts, which if in too great quantity, are de- structive of all useful vegetation. The coolingof the soil by the application of too much water is strictly to be guard- ed against, especially in the grape, which requires warmth at the root as an element of success. No more definite rule can be laid down in regard to the application of water to the roots of plants in the open ground than is found possible in its application to plants in tlower pots in a plant-house. Plants, however, al- ways resent too much of it at the root by their leaves turning yellow, and hence denoting defective root action, and which is often seen in plants in flowerpots, and perhaps less frequent- ly in the open ground if cultivation has been thorough, Land that is nearly level, and is of an open, porous texture, will, it is ev- ident, tike water readily, and irriga- tion in this case will mean something if followed promptly by good cultiva- tion. On the other hand, land that rolls very much and is of an adhesive character, is exceedingly difficult to irrigate properly, and for hoed crops or young trees is certainly undesirable. For this reason we know that no rule as to the duty of water will apply, un- less the soil is reasonably level and will readily take sucli water as we may wish to apply to it. Each culti- vator must determine for himself as to the frequency and quantity of water necessary to constitute an irrigation of such plants as he may cultivate; re- membering alvvays that the feeding roots of young trees just planted are close to the stem for the first year or two; in after years, as the trees devel- op, they will generally feed upon an area as wide as the trees are high. Trees of upright growth, like the white ash and the Whitney crab, and trees of low spreading habit, like the box elder and the Tall man Sweeting apple, have each a rooting habit cor- responding to their mode of growth above ground. The remedy for the betterment of soils surcharged with the neutral alka- line salts, and whose texture is very compact and adhesive, is thorough tillage, and the leaching out of the al- kali by copions irrigations combined with either natural or artificial under- drainage. The frequent Irrigation of the soil assuring the inter-mixture of the surface deposit of alkali with the lower strata of the soil and thus dilut- ing it and partially neutralizing its injurious presence. Cultivation, too, checks evaporation, and hence cur- rently lessens the deposit of alkali on the surface. A loose, dry top soil IRRIGATION IN HORTICULTURE. 13 acts as a cushion of earth, and air, in- tercepting the continuity of the up- ward passage of moisture, along the lowest plane of cultivation. Among some sowed crops on adhe- sive soils there may be noticed now and then plants, or patches of plants, very much stunted and debilitated, which is due, to a very considerable extent, to the severe constitution of the stems at the ground surface, by the hardening crust that forms there after irrigation, and which cannot be broken up without injury to the grow- ing crop. This pressure about the stems is a species of pruning, and is equivalent to the application of a liga ture to the stem of a plant above ground, and which results in both cases in abridgement of the functions of vegetation. This hard crust also diies much more rapidly than would the same soil in good tilth ; it also ab- sorbs water more quickly and power- fully than does the loose soil just be- neath it, which hence parts moie rea- dily with its contained nioist'ire, and which by reason of atmospheric infiu ences, is quickly evaporated, harden- ing the surface and increasing the de- posit of alkali there, and which is es- aecially injurious to all surface rooting plants, which are chiefly annuals. In British India, the government, after spending f-normous sums to get water on the land, have been for some time confronted with the problem as to how to economically dispose of the surplus, and thus relieve the soil of the accumulated alkali that has in some cases lendered it unfit for cultivation. For the intense cultures of the hor- ticulturist, irrigation by means of a system of under ground ptpes would seem to commend itself. It is much practiced in C-ilitornia, and is known as the "Asbestine" system of sub- irrigation. Its merits are that it is economical of water, it holds in check the rise of the alkali, because the sur- face soil never leaks, (no water com- ing to the surface) and it has a power- ful influence in inducing tne roots of plants to go down deep beyond the vi- cissitudes of climate. At this elevation surface evapora- tion is rapid, water is quickly dissi- pated, and partly for this reason we believe that sub-irrigation offers posi- tive advantages to the horticulturist, especially in the cultivation of land whose inclination forbids profitable surface watering. In Italy the flavor of fruits is said to be inferior when grown by means of irrigation, and the seeds of vegetables are said to deteriorate to such an ex- tent as to renaer a recourse to foreign sources a necessity, and that this may be true in this state we have some rea- son to believe, from a recent report of the chemist of the department of agri- culture in regard to the wheats of Col- orado, which shows them to have lost in weight, in nitrogen, in ash and al- buminoids, as compared with former analysis. The deterioration of the seed in these important elements may, as Professor Blount suggests, be due to untoward seasons, but it it may also be due to soil deterioration, for as a rule we have as yet but skimmed the surface of our soils, leaving untouched a wealth of plant food, to be made available by deep and thorough tillage. To assure the complete development of the plants we grow we must have in the soil the elements necssary to that end, for certainly the waters of irri- gation do not contain them. Light, heat, a dry soil, with a moderate 14 IRRIGATION IN HORTICULTURE. growth, are all essential to superior flavor in table fruits, and this desira- ble end it is in our power to attain, by surrounding our plants witli condi- tions favorable to flavor, and the ma- turation of the seed. Crops that succeed on alkaline soils are of root crops, beets, carrots, pars- nips, turnips, and cabbage. The cultivation of table fruits is not materially interfered with by the presence of a moderate amount of al- kali, providing always that the water table has been lowered by proper un- der drainage. It is a noteworthy fact that apple trees on the most alkalied land on the college farm are those that carried the most fruit for the past two seasons. This circumstance was also noticed by Mr. McClelland on his own fruit farm. I do not from this wish it to be inferred that I recommend such soils as being best for the culture of table fruits, but merely record the fact above noted, that the presence of the neutral alka- line salts are not inimiral to the suc- cessful culture of the larger table fruits. With the positive assurance of sun- shine and water, the horticulturist of this state is placed at an immense ad- vantage over his eastern co-laborer, and can flatter himself upon a certain- ty of success, providing that in his management of such plants as make a definite annual growth (as the apple) he observes the cardinal principle that such growth should be moderate in amount, and thoroughly ripened ; the dry air for which our country is pro- verbial inducing (if we withold water at the root at the proper time) an in- spissated condition of the sap, which enables plants to withstand success- fully the rigors of climate, and which induces in all cases the formation of blossom and of fruit. REPORT ON GRASSES. 15 REPORT ON GRASSES. The grasses are witliout doubt the most important order of the vegetable kingdoui, and probably the most natural one, that boianists have con- trived. A technical lincvvledge of them is, however, difficult of acquire- ment, because of the similarity of structure of both genera and species ; the diflerenoes being sought for in the smaller details, and which are made visible to us only by means of the mi- croscope. Tlieir habits are familiar to most of as, as are the various and important uses of the seeds of wheat, oats, rice rye, barley and maize. The various genera and species are reniarlvable, too, in not exhibiting in any one case poi- sonous properties, but on the contrary are, in almost ail cases, wholesome and nutritious, especially the seeds, in va- rying proportions, and in the stem, too, we find a no less remarkable uni- formity of nature. All the grasses con- tain, in a greater or less degree, ac- cording to the species, a sugary mucil- age; the creeping roots, too, are gener- ally mucilaginous and demulcent; but they are especially valuable in holding the banks of streams and irri- gating ditches, and for binding the shifting sands of the sea coast. The day is coming when much of these plains will be seeded to the more useful grasses, either for permanent pasturage or to be used as a change crop in some regular rotation, and such species as now hold possession will either become extinct or will be found only in public or private herb- ariums. But few of the native grasses are able to endure the contact of civiliza- tion ; moreover but a few of them jjro- duce a sufHcient weight of stem and foliage to warrant their retention in any system of sojI culture, and many of them are (especially the native blue grass, agronyrum glacum) impatient of continued irrigation. There are, however, a few species that would seem worthy of trial, as Andropogon furcatus, known as blue stem on the plains, Panicum virgatum, and ama- rum, especially the former, and Chrys- opogon untans, commonly called sorghum grass, Muhlenbergia Glom- erata and comata are worthy of trial; these grasses are not Impatient of irrigation, as is very well known. No doubt there are other iudigenu- ous grasses possessing merit, and that are at least worthy of trial, and with this object in view we have collected seeds of those most promising for trial under cultivation. Of cultivated grasses the only spe- cies sown to any extent in this state is timothy. It yields an extraordinary growth with irrigation, especially far 16 REPORT ON GRASSES. up in the Rocky mountains, where the average temperature is lower than that of the plains. Native timothy is hardly less luxuriant, but as to how it would behave under repeated irriga- tions remains yet to be determined. Red-top has been sown to a small ex- tent in wet meadows, with the best re- sults. It is a native, too, growing luxuriantly in moist meadows and along the streams in the mountain parks. The panicle of the native Red topis much thinner than that of the cultivated type, and of a somewhat graceful and drooping habit. June grass, Poa pratensis, is also na- tive to the Rocky mountains. It is found only at high altitudes and in much dryer places than Red-top, its habit of deep rooting enabling it to withstand extremes of drought better than some other species. The White Bent, Agrostis alba, is nearly as plentiful as Red-top, but with less luxuriance of stem and leaf; the panicle ranging in color from light green to purplish brown. The above grasses being native her*^, are perfectly at home, and seem in a greater measure to meet the wants of stockmen than do any other grasses that have as yet been tried. Other cultivated gaasses that are es- pecially worthy of trial on a larger scale than comes within our province, are the Meadow Foxtail, one of the earliest to commence growth as well as to flower. Like other Foxtail grasses, it prefers moist situations, and is valuable for early pasture. Its seeds are light, averaging about five pounds to the bushel. Tall Oat grass is among the earliest of all the cultivated grasses to grow in the spring ; it roots very deeply, starts growth quickly after being cut and is adapted to thin soils and dry situa- ations. It seems to succeed admira- bly in Kansas and the southwest, and certainly made an excellent showing the past season at this place. Taller Fescue, Festuea elatior, also gives evidence of value as a pasture or meadow grass. Nearly all the Fescue grasses grow in tussocks, are nutri- tious and are much relished by stock. Meadow Fescue resemble the above. It is of vigorous growth, yielding an abundance of nutritious stems and leaves. English Rye grass proved to be early and productive. Its growth is dense, and is apparently hardy. Italian Rye grass growing alongside the above winter-killed badly. Orchard grass ought to be one of the best for the northwest, especially in its ability to resist drought. It had but one irrigation tnis season, yet withal its appearance attests its merit. For light, thin soils, on dry hill sides, the bunch grasses, as red Fescue, and the forms of Festuoa owwia should succeed, especially when helped out by irrigation . My notes on the cultivated grasses are tabulated in table 5, whicli shows their height in inches at certain dates during the growing season, how they wintered, when they bloomed, with some remarks on their general appear- ance, and value. None of the grass plats were irrigated until after they were cut; each plat had iiad, however a liberal top dressinj^ of sheep manure which he[ped their growth amazingly. In regard to the best lawn grasses for Colorado, we will say that where ground has much of a slope it is best to sow white clover or red top, in sutfl- cieut quantity to cover the ground quickly with a thick sward, and if tbe soil is fairly fertile, its mechanical con- REPORT ON GRASSES. 17 dition good and the seed is sown early, a good growth may l)e expected before irrigation becomes necessary. A little blue gra«s might be sown at tlie same ime. It will ultii»iately take posses- sion, no matter what grass has been sown. It makes the very best of lawns; it is, however, much more dif- ficult to cut witii a lawn mower than either clover or Red-top, TABLE NO. S—GRASSES. Name. taia |: Remarks. Tall meadow Oat grass. Orchard Tall Fescue Meadow Fescue Hai'd Fescue Creeping? Bent Meadow Soft Meadow Foxtail Kentucky Blue P^nglish Ry e Yellow Oat White Clover Red Clover Alsike Alfalfa Saintfoiu Red To}) Timothy Hungarian Sheep's Fescue Schraeder's 12,19 y,ii Dill !)|14 .•-;j T) 4! .5 !>:13 !i!ll ,S 10 I0I14 (ii 9 416 1015 4 12 22 7,12 (>; 9 7, 9 ...; 1 .3 4 5 7 Flowered June 22nd. Flowered .June 20th. Flowered June 20th. Flowered June 23rd. Flowered July 1st. In flower July 2nd, good lawn grass. In flower June 30th. In flower June 1st. Bloomed July 1st, for lawns or pasture. Bloomed .June 22nd. Bloomed .July (5th. Bloomed May 30th. Bloomed May 30th. Bloomed May 30th. Bloomed June 20th. Bloomed June 12th. Bloomed July 3rd, excellent for lawns. Bloomed July 9th, a meadow grass. Bloomed August 24th. In bloom May 24th. Annual of little value. 18 REPORT ON WEEDS. REPORT ON WEEDS. That considerable apathy is shown by farmers and townspeople alike in this state on the weed question cannot for a moment be doubted by anyone who has seen much of its agriculture or horticulture. With the progress of agriculture the use of water has of course been a nec- essity, and this with our climate has rendered a proper appreciation of the subject, with a view to their extermin ationseem like arming oneself against a sea of troul)les. It is but a question of time for the worst weed pests of the older states to be introduced, and when here they are very likely to stay, for Colorado is a per feet paradise to tliem. Fortunately, weeds are only particu- larly destructive on irrigated lands, the plains are too dry, the soil bakes too much for the running weeds to ob- tain much foothold; our weeds, too, are many of them annuals, and hence are more easily kept in subjection tlian those that are perennial, and which have unde>-ground stems. All planls are endowed with means more or less effective for their reproduciion ; such as possess, superior growth of root and top, seed early and freely, or perhaps possess some especial contrivance for their dissemination, take possession of the soil and smother out those less well endowed by nature. The poverty weed, so well known to the farmers of this state, is a case in point ; its vitality is such that we may compass the whole gamut ot natural conditions and still it is at home, out- rivalling in tenacity the infamous pussley, whose home is at least tbat of two continents, and which, while de- structive enough for the time it has been in the state, finds a period to its luxuriance in the cool nights of early summer and fall. Another well known plant in this state is the cat-tail [lypha latipolia), which spreads everywhere, for the rea- son that its seeds are light as air, and are carried by the wind loig distances; when they alight on asjjot sufficiently moist they germinate, the abundant moisture furnishing the proper nidus to insure its continuance. The spread of fox-tail {JJordeum ju- batum) on the plains and in the moun- tiins is something appalling; it slretciies in broad patches wnerever the conditions are favorable, and it is rarely th it they are otherwise. The presence of this grass, and many oth ers that are worthless under all cir- cumstances, urgently suggests the pro- priety of under draining, or open REPORT ON WEEDS. 19 ditches, to lower the water line, and thereby induce the better grasses to obtain a foothold. Some new species are continually be- ing introduced, and many old ones are rapidly extending their 'domain and increasing tiieir giipon the soil by reason of the many new farms op- ened up and tlie careless and profitless culture of old ones. Many have tiieir seeds in the crops grown, and which are too often difficult to detect because of their resemblance to the grain sown ; their size, too, renders separation difiicult. Proper regard tlien should be had to the purity of tlie seed sown, nothing sliorl of this will save future trouble and expense. The practice of thin seeding so com- mon in tliis state cannot be but a fruit- ful source of tiie almost innumeral)le host of weeds seen upon so many farms. Thin seeding is no doubt all right with good seed, and where the land is tolerably clean and in good heart; and especially is it all right in countries where a farmer luay sue his neighbor for neglect to destroy the weeds on his faru}. We believe in sowing heavy enough to keep at least a fair proportion <-f the weeds in sub- jection or, if land becomes too foul for profitable cultivation to put in clover, or some vigorous grass to smother tiiem out. Next to this the i)est rem- edy is to ct-aselessly cut them down, whether they are annual or perennial, and this cutting must be before seed- ing ; it must also be thorough and rad- ical or it will fall short of its purpose. There is a poinfin most plants call- ed the collar, which is analogous to a similar point in vertebrate animals at the base of the brain, and which if cut or injured at this point will insure their destruction. Many plants when cut down at the period of blooming have a sufficiency of nutriment in tiieir leaves and stems to perfect a crop of seeds. The vitality of the seeds of weeds is undoubtedly far in excess of those of cultivated plants because a weed is a natural product, and is constantly re- newing its vigor from seed, the pro- duction of which is its sole object ; so that tlie seeds of weeds have often been buried at de|)ths far below the in- fluences tltat induce germination, and when ultimately brought to the sur- face, a crop of weeds was the result. The plant under cultivation is more or less removed from the natural, and hence surrounded by artificial condi- tions ; it is in fact a product of the art of man, and hence necessarily cou- forins to his wili in whatever direction it has been developed by him, so long as he protects it from the conditions of nature. Weeds were not created however without purpose; they occupy an important place in medicine, they quickly clothe naked soils, and when turned under with the plow, or in their natural growth and decay, furnish a nidus for the mighty oak, and per- haps they have another use in that they force man to cultivate the soil if he would reap of its fruits. 20 REPORT ON FORESTRY. REPORT ON FORESTRY. The subject of forest tree planting does not as yet receive that attention at the hands of the people of this state which Its importance demands. The people of the country at large, how- ever, are waking up to the necessity at least of using judiciously our present supply of tree growth. Some of the most serious economic questions this country has ever been called upon to consider are grouped under tiie com- prehensive head of forestry. Tlie production of fuel and timber for tlie supply of the various industries of life is but one phase of the question. Another, and quite as important, is the connection between certain por- tions of the western forest area and a steady supply of water for the rivers by which irrigation is made possible, and still another is the possibility of danger from mountain torrents. To mould and shape public opinion each individual who feels an interest in rural affairs, as well as agricultural organizations of every kind, have abundant opportunity for the per- formance of missionary work, in edu- cating pul)lic opinion up to a better appreciation of the positive and bene- ficial results accruing from the pres- ence of trees and shrubs on every farm whether large or small. It is true that the necessities of pio- neer farming warrant, to some extent, the lack of interest shown in tree planting in Colorado, justl as wheat raising is tolerated by the same neces- sities, and, if we may be allowed the digression here, this kind of farming is always productive of impover- ishment in every way. if long persist- ed in, because it impoverishes the soil, encourages the presence of weeds, de- teriorates the seed sown and repudi- ates the science of agriculture. Too many of us know no future; we live but to day, for the day and by the day; we want quick returns. The straw- berry is commendable because of this, but the apple is a slow jade. How- ever, time and tlie logic of nature will remedy this. Wherever civilization has obtained a foothold tree growth is a necessity, and contributes as much to its ad- vancement as that of any other natur- al product. From the cradle to the grave, in all the industries and pur- suits of life, we are incessantly in- debted to trees. We do not believe that any one now living vvill see for- ests of trees on these plains, but we do believe tbat they will see groves of trees, plantings by the roadside, along the irrigating ditcbes, near the dwe'- REPORT ON FORESTRY. 21 liug and the barns on every farm worthy of the name, as a protection against wind to man and beast, to orchards, and as a reme- dy for tiie dry winds that al- most annihilate one's ardor for fruit growing. This state, with its varying elevations, is hardly equaled in the beauty and health-giving qualities of its climate, will always be in demand. Her soil is fertile, and capable, with irrigation, of producing as wide a range of agricultural products, when the conditions are properly under- stood, as the most favored of the states. In spots, it is true, the soil may be feeling the f^ffect of some spe- cial and exhaustive culture, but still not beyond tlie reach of speedy recu- peration. It is safe to say that by the planting of wind breaks along the irrigating ditches and wherever else such plantings might suggest them- selves, that the average crop of pro- ducts of Coloiado farms would be measurably increased tliereby. Fires are one of the mo^t difficult things to deal with in the preserva tion of our mountain tree growth, do- ing, it is estimated, a hundred times as much damage as tbe axe. Many people do not think of the value ot' a tree, and too frequently do not care where a tire may end, so long as it does not atfecL their own interest. Large numbers of saw mills are doing their deadly work anjong the moun- tain forests, and the owners are not likely to be much hindered in their work by senlinu-ntal growlers about the welfare ol future generations. The lumbernian's greatest sin is in the damage he does to such trees as are not of a commercial value, by leaving the ground strewn with such as are often wantonly cut down, and which gives the incipient fire the headway that ultimately destroys the forest. The thinning of trees in a forest by the removal of such as are of mature growth is beneficial to the remainder, because every species of tree at a cer- tain age ceases to be profitable, and had better be removed that such as are younger may have a better chance. Any land that will produce good farm crops will grow good trees, and we shall succeed in producing hardy trees only by practicing such culture as will induce an early formation of the terminal bud, and by employing such kinds as make a definite an- nual growth. The Ailanthus fails because its growth appears to be in- definite and hence its tops are killed by the first frosts of autumn. The sowing of tree seeds where the plants are to remain is usually poor economy. An exception might be made, perhaps, in favor of the walaut and butternut, whose fruit is large and growth strong from the start. We recommend generally the sow- ing of seeds in frames, seed beds or nursery rows when they can receive proper care and attention during their infancy. At the same time we think that the average farmer would not be likely to meet with much success in his efforts to raise liis own trees. He can usually buy them so much cheaper from the nurserymen, who possess the necessary skill and appliances to insure success. The soil should be such as will not bake; it should be in a good state of fertility and tilth, be free as possible of weeds and the seed fresh. The seed is best sown in rows about nine inches apart, that weeding and cultivation may be properly arid seasonably at- tended to. The fruit of most nut trees are best sown in the fall, as are also 22 REPOKT ON FORESTRY. the seeds of the ash, the horn bean, the pear, locust, pfum, peach, apple and some of the maples, in order that they may get a good freezing, which insures their vegetating the follow- ing spring. The white and scarlet maples, black birch and the elms ripen their seeds in early summer, and should be sown as soon as gathered. Seeds sown in the fall should be covered with a mulch to keep the soil from heaving and to prevent their drying out. The use of lath screens are always helpful in this climate to shade from the hot sun. Two to three years old is about the age at which they are transplanted for forest pur- poses. If grown for ornamental pur- poses, the nurseryman transplants them every two or three years, and if handled in this way they may be transplanted in any climate wiien fif- teen to twenty feet high. Tha soft wooded kinds may also be propagated fiom cuttings. They make the poorest quality of timber. It is nature's axiom that whatever is rapid in growth is rapid in decay. The trees of softer texture, however, whose fiber is susceptible of being reduced to pulp and rolled into paper or conveit- ed into the manifold uses to which wood pulp is applied may prove as val- uable to this and future geiieratii)ns as the oak has l»een to the past. The ash, catalpa and tulip tree should be sown tnickly to insure a crop, as much of the seed is imper- fect. The bh'ches, alders, mulberry, catal- pa and platanusare best sown in the spring. Evergreens are the most valuable trees for shelter and ornament but are much more difllcult to obtain from seed than any other class of trees. Nor can they be grown as profitably for timber, even in the most favored sec- tions of the country, as deciduous kinds. The beds in which the seeds are sown should be covered with lath screen and the position as sheltered as possible from the sun and drying winds. The first few months, until the formation of the terminal bud, is their most critical time. A close con- fined atmosphere with too much water will cause Ihe young seedlings to dis- appear in twenty-four hours. We pro- tect the young seedlings in winter with a mulch of leaves or pine needles retaining ilie screens overhead. We transplant after two years in the seed bed although strong growing pines, like the Austrian Scotch and Red, are often fit in one year. The Junipers, Yews and some pines will not as a rule vegetate until the second year. The seeds of some kinds, as the Scotch Austrian and pitch pines, re- tain their vitality, if kept in a cool, dry place, for years, while the silver firs quickly lose their vitality if not speedily consigned to mother earth. The best time to transplant ever- greens is still a debatable question by people who prefer to discuss a theoiy to putting it into practice. Ever- greens nave their periods of growth and rest, as do other plants, and un- der ctrtain favoring conditions may be removed wlien in full growth, but the dormant season is the one most likely to favor success under ordinary circumstances. We have been equally successful in October and May in re- moving the mountain evergreens, pay- ing particular attention to the sacking of the roots and making sure that the latter do not dry. The majority of evergreens may be propagated from ripe woodcuttings or REPORT ON FORESTRY. 23 from eui lings of the young growing wood, tlie latter being the more diffi- cult operatii>n. The cutting is best talten witii a little of ttie two-year-old wood attaclied. Tiie cuttings are set out in cold frames in a shady placf, well watered, and so remain until spring; no sun must get at them until they are rooted, for if the leaves are once excited into growth no root form;ition can occur afterwards The formation of roots occurs at a lower temperature than would be sutTicient for the growth of leaves and success will hinge on our success in trmintaining a cool atmos- phere until the emission of roots has taken place. Evergreens may be pro- pagated from cutting of the current season's growth while yet green if one has control of bottom heat such as that given by a liot bed we liave been sue cessful the past season in rooting a fair proportion of red and silver spruce in this way. The following shrubs are in every way admirable for Colorado: COMMON NAME. SCIENTIFIC NAME. Sweet Shrub Calycanthus floridus Button Bush Cephalanthus occideutalis Sweet Pepper Bush Clethra almfolia TJhukler Senna Colutea arborescens Golden Bell Forsythia viridissima White Althea Hibiscus syriacus Hydrangea. Hydrangea paniculata graudiflora Snowberry, red Symphorioearpus vulgaris Snowball Viburnum o])ulus Spiraea. ..Spiraea billiardi, and other varieties Lilac, purple and white Syringa vulgaris Privert Ligustruni amurense Honeysuckle Lonicera grandiflora Mock Orange Philadelphus coronarius Currant Ribes tloridum VVeigelia Weigelia rosea The annexed list of trees are grow" ing on the college grounds. There are many others under trial but it will take another season to enable us to pass judgment on them: 24 REPORT ON FORESTRY. TABLE NO. 6— DECIDUOUS TREES FOR COLORADO. SCIENTIFIC NAME. COMMON NAME. REMARKS. Red Oak Butternut Hardy, a good grower, timber interior. Vigorous grower, hardy and desirable. Vigorous grower, hardy and desirable. Vigorous grower, hardy and desirable. Small tree desirable rbr moist places. A valuable tree, hardly and desirable. Desirable, hardy, wood excellent. Rapid grower, timber desirable. Rapid grower, hardy, timber inferior. Medium grower, iuirdy, wood desirable. In every way a desirable tree. Black Walnut White Ash Fraximus Americana American Chestnut Black Birch Acer dasycarpuiii White Maple Red Maple Black Cherry White Elm English P^lni Ornamental and desirable. Berberis vulgars Berberis canadensis Carpinus Americana Common Barberry. Am. Barberry A good hedge plant. A good hedge {)lant. Tree snuill, hardy, and we tliink, desirable. Common Alder White .Mulberry... Growth rapid, tree hardy and desirable. Medium size, hardy and ma}' prove desirable. A valuable iiedd are available when the plant needs them. Trees planted in tilled land, and the weeds allowed to grow and take possession, are placed at a great disadvantage ; they cannot make H vigorous growth, for reasons that must be apparent, an(' chief of these in this climate is that the mois- ture and plant food, that should be the portion of the plant cultivated, is pumped from the soil ny the weeds and gras.ses which are always greater scavengers than young trees with but few feeding roots. SMALIi FRUITS. Strawberrries.— The varieties in the appended list were planted in the s|)ring of 1884, in rows three feet apart, and received the usual atten tion during the growing seascJn. In the fall they were mulched, which was allowed to remiin until the fruiting season was over. In the table we have grouped our notes gathered during the year, com- prising the date of flowering of each kind, the dale on which the first ripe fruit appeared, the number of fruit stalks to each plant and the average number of berries per stalk, with some notes as to how each variety be- haved during the season. Many of the kinds need further trial, when pos.sibly age and the superior quality of the soil would improve their stand- ing. Our statistics say that the fol- lowing kinds were the most profita- ble: James Vick, Manchester, Hart's Minnesota, Crescent Seedling, Indi- ana, Black Defiance, Jucunda and Bidwell. The habit common to some varieties of setting a great many more berries than they can mature is not so much of an objection in Colora- do as it is in places where irrigation is not practiced, for if the soil is rich enough and the plants possess the vigor to respond to the stimulus af- forded them, they will certainly not fall far short of maturing such fruit as they may set. The best flavored berries were Jennlng's White, Golden Queen, Chas. Downing, Gypsy, Ken- tucky, Manchester and Mt. Vernon. The latest kinds were Memphis, Late Kentucky. Cornelia, Vineland Seed- ling and Emma. The earliest were Crescent Seedling, Crystal City, Phelp's Seedling, Nigh's Superb, Piper's Seedling and Bidweli. The varieties that rusted badly were the Wilson and Sharpless ; the weak growers Jnnnings' White, Golden Queen and some others were slightly affected. 28 REPORT ON FRUITS. TABLE NO. 7— STRAWBERRIES. Variety. tx ^ t*1 !z; >- o o < Sf c ,_^ "1 •5' a p ^ a o g ;;■ (I> CO n Advance Senaca Queen, H Sharpless, H Vinehind Seedling, H Wilscm, H Warren, H Atlantic, H 10 10 .31 2 to 3 6 10 15 36 2 to 3 10 12 15 32 1 to 2 m 8 10 .33 2 to 3 7 10 20 41 1 to 2 4 8 15 38 2 to 3 7 10 12 33 2 to 4 6 10 10 31 1 to 2 6 6 5 30 2 to 3 n 12 12 30 2 to 3 9 12 20 39 1 to 2 4 10 12 33 2 to 3 3 1(1 27 42 1 to 2 4 10 10 31 1 to 2 4 12 17 36 1 to 3 5 12 20 39 2 to 3 7 s 15 38 1 to 2 4 12 15 34:1 to 3 9 12 18 37 1 to 3 9 10 14 35 2 to 3 10 10 12 33 2 to 4 12 12 15 34 1 to 3 4 10 20 41 1 to 2 8 10 15 36 1 to 4 4 14 2) 37 1 to 4 4 8 12 35 1 to 3 11 12 13 32 I to 2 5 12 22 4i 1 to 2 () ,s 10 33 1 to 2 / 10 14 35 1 to 3 5 10 13 34 1 to 2 4 7 10 34 1 to 2 10 10 14 35 1 III 2 7 10 10 3] 3 to 4 (i 10 14 35 2 10 3 9 10 15 36 1 lo 2 9 12 15 34 1 10 3 7 12 21 40 1 to 2 8 10 12 33 2 to 3 10 8 10 33 1 to 2 4 8 12 35 2 to 3 6 Foliage good, productive and desirable. Foliage abundant, dark green near the ground. Foliage large, not productive, fruit poor. Weak grower, Iruit soft, not desirable. Very late, needs further trial. Foliage healthy, valuable for family use. Foliage healthy, needs further trial. An ironclad berrj', very productive. The most profitable of all varieties. Requires further trial. Very late, fruit soft, a family berry. Foliage goodi flavor fine, productive. Foliage poor, flavor good, fruit knotty. Foliage strong, not productive. Good grower, flavor good, early and jjroductive. Foliage weak but healthy, productive. Vigorous and productive. Very productive and desirable. Profitable berrj' of medium quality. Foliage weak, })roductive, flavor good. Vigorous, fruit firm, productive. Not productive. Very late, foliage good, desirable. Weak grower, desirable for family use. Poor foliage, not productive. Very productive and desirable. Flavor good but not in-oduetive. Very late, strong grower. Resembles the Crescent, not so productive. Requires further trial. Strong grower but not i>roduetive. Vigorous grower, flavor inferior. Foliage unhealthy, e.xeellent flavor. Strong grower, flavor agreeable. Vigorous grower, fruit soft and near the ground. Vigorous grower, excellent flavor ; for family use. Foliage unhealthy, not desirable. Late, strong foliage, fruit borne high, needs trial. Foliage unhealthy but productive. Weak grower, nut desirable. Not desirable. REPORT ON GARDEN VEGETABLES. 29 REPORT ON GARDEN VEGETABLES. TURNIPS. Nineteen varieties, or so called vari- eties, of the turnip, were sown in drills tliree feet apart, the tops ulti- mately covering the space between the rows. Two seeds were allowed to one incli of row, and were thinned after- wards to six inches apart for the large varieties and to four for the smaller kinds. The ground was in the best possible condition as regards fertility and mechanical condition. The turnip is divided into three classes : One is represented by the strap- leaf varieties, which are very rapid grow- ers, and are sown either very early in the season or very late. They are gen- erally delicate in flavor, but deficient in nutriment. The second, of which the Aberdeen and Yellowstone are typical, grow larger and keep better than the first. They are sown in this locality the last week in June. The third class is the rutabaga or Swede turnip. These are winter va- rieties. They need the whole season for their complete development, and are the most nutritious of turnips. Seedsmen have a long list of varie- ties, but experienced growers use but a few kinds. The following are the best of those tried: Of early kinds, Munich, Pur- ple Top Strap Leaf and Early Flat Dutch are the most desirable. The White Strap Leaf is but a form of the latter. Of intermediate kimls the Aber- deen, Yellowstone and Montinagny are the best. The White Norfolk, Cow Horn and Red Tankard are excellent for stock purposes, but when young are good for table use also. Among rutabagas the American Impioved is the best. The flesh is of good quality, solid and tender. Laing's Improved is diI!lcul^ to dis- tinguish from the above. White Swede is a productive variety, but becomes •'corkey" quicker than the American Improved. The turnip and the cabbage have been amazingly improved of late years. The wide diversities of form and adaptibility acquired, with new endowments, has greatly extended their value, in better fitting them for a greater variety of soils and circum- stances. Thus we have varieties that grow from the surface of the soil and others that bury themselves to their crowns. Some again grow quickly, while others need, in Colorado, near- ly the whole season to reach their full size, and all the varieties keep in pro- portion to the rapidity of their growth. The turnip will grow on al- most any kind of soil, provided it is mellow. The soil, however, must; not be too rich, or the tops will be large without a corresponding develop- ment of root. The black flea troubles tiiese varieties some, b it if taken in time is readily driven ott". The Aphis has an attinity for the Brassica family. It was destructive this year to all va- rieties with light green foliage. We have found liberal applications of salt beneficial in giving the plants in- creased vigor. The data noted during the season are arranged in the accompanying ta- ble: 30 REPORT ON GARDEN VEGETABLES. TABIiE NO. 8---TURNIPS. Variety. ■D Cfq_ c^' S- :j" o -, -h> s ji 'C « >-i. _ s a ges incl et •f 3 =? A S> 3 :ij 3 s Improved American Purpletop Laing's Improved , Large Wliite Norfolk Cow Horn Montmagny Purpletop Munica White Egg Jersey White Red Tankard Bangholm Rutabaga Hartley's Swede Yellow Aberdeen Redtop Strap Leaf. Improved Tetlow White Russian Early White Strap Leaf Early White Flat Dutch White Garden Stone White Six Weeks 30 IG 12 36 20 13..1 44 18 18 20 16 6 47 18 20..3 32..6 17 13..1 30..2 14 12 30..4 14 11..4 32..3 16 12..1 26..7 18 13..3 31. .4 18 14..4 48 20 21 26..2 16 12 44..6 18 24..7 40 20 19 1S..2 12 6..2 17 12 7..1 19..4 13 7 16..3 12 6..2 392..40 471..16 576 261..45 615..15 425..25 394...50 393..5 422..10 348 410..10 628..20 342..30 582...30 523..35 237..45 222..30 253..50 212..4 KEPORT ON GARDEN VEGETABLES. 31 BEETS. Table No. 9 shows results with the beet; twelve varieties were grown on well enriched, deeply subsoiied ground. The seed pieces were sown two inches deep, allowing one piece to one inch of row ; the rows were three feet apart. The beet is more at home on alkali soils than any other plant we grow ; it attains mammoth proportions with irrigation — and by having the rows far enough apart to insure thorough working of the soil it quickly attains its growth. The really distinct varieties of this plant are but few. Bassano is the earliest, but its flesh is light-colored and hence not attractive ; its flesh is, however, tender and well-flavored. Egyptian Blood Turnip is a later var- iety but of excellent color and quality. Dewing's Improved Blood Turnip is a a form of the latter and hardly to be distinguished from it. Long Smooth Red attains a mammoth size, but is not salable when the turnip varieties varieties are to be had. The beet is a gross feeder and hence Is at its best only in rich land. That it be tender it must be grown quickly and not sown too thickly' in the row, nor delayed in marketing until it be- comes too large and tough. TABLE NO. 9— BEETS. o o fD CD H ( Q Variplv. < re Q fD O 2 ■D cr o cn_ Of? re B S- re ■o 3 a. c o -a re -s :3 re re o N a re Bastian's Blood Turnip '^ 1 c^ 1 i 2 • 7 1 1 1 1 1 1 4 2 7 4S..7 51..2 3(j..2 31. .3 1 036 20 Eclipse %0 14 Dell's Flower Garden i 1 040 20 Henderson's Pineapple 1,141 Bassano ] 9 J 9 1 9 42 6 1,131.-8 1 020 7 Dewing's improved Turnip ' ' 8 IC IC 7 1 ■ S 1 2 2 4 1 1 3 1 7 4 7 3 !» 4 22..1 64...5 67..10 29..4 32 24..1 Extra Long Dark Red 1 1 402 10 Lonsj Dark Blood 1 321 9 Dark Red Egyptian "" 936 14 Hatch's Blood Turnip 5 1 041 Henderson's Dwart Pineapple 5 902..7 Simons' Early 2 8 1 1 6 15..3 900 32 REPORT ON GARDEN VEGETABLES. PEAS. Our trial list of peas embraced ihir- ty-one varieties. One hundred seeds of each kind were sown in well en- riched soil, two inches deep and three inches apart ; the rows were three feet apart, to facilitate horse cultivation. The varieties! hat produced the first edible pods were Cleveland Rural New Yorker and Henderson's Improved Daniel O'Rourke. McLean's Little Gem is nearly as early, dwarf prolific, and of excellent quality. There are too many round, early varieties, earli- ness being their only eonnnendation. The following kinds stand about etjual in point of earliness, flavor and pro- ductiveness : First and Best, Lee's Earliest, Hancock, Earliest (»f All, Ex- press and Maud S. Of the late kinds the most produc- tive were Telegraph, Dwarf Champion of England, Hairs' Dwarf Mammoth; Bliss Abundance, of excellent flavor; Commander-in-Chief, quality very in- ferior ; Horsford's Garden Pea, of the best quality, and Telephone ; Brown's Dwarf Marrowfat is an American Marrowfat pea of inferior quality, but very productive; John Bull is an ad- mirable variety, a late, dwarf wrin- kled variety, of good flavor ; Early Caracticus is identiial with Daniel O'Rourke. Peas, to be tender, must be grown rapidly, and this means that tliey must have the best of ground. The pea has a tendency to degenerate if the best care is not given to tiie selec- tion of seed. By a careful selection of the earliest pods, and of those that are wrinkled most, an excellent strain can be secured that, will be sure to give satisfaction. Peas do not mix readily, so that new varieties can only be obtained by artificial crossing. Some varieties, as the Extra Early Kent and Daniel O'Rourke, have many synonyms, the value of which depends on the care with which the seed was selected. The statistics shown In the table as to the relative productiveness of the different varieties planted would not fairly represent them at higher eleva- tions, for the reason that all varieties of the pea grow and bear fruit the whole season, especially if tlie pods are picked off regularly. On the plains this applies only in cool sum- mers; usually this plant behavea here as it does at lower elevations. The figures under each heading in the ta- ble show the average estimate in that particular, for the season, and condi tions under which each variety was grown. Under that of quality we have graded the varieties from to 10, which means perfect. REPORT ON GARDEN VEGETABLES. 33 TABLE NO. lO-PEAS. Variety. Laxton's Supei-Iativo Pride of the Market Dr. McLean Blue luii)erial Strate.iiem La.\toii'.s Supreme Fill Basket, late Jnhn Hull Miiiiinuiii MeLeaii's Little Uein Blue Peter.. American Wonder Telegrapli Early Telephone Horsford's Garden Pea Brown's Dwarf .NLirrowfat Dwarf Champion, early.... Hair's Dwarf ^Mammotli... , Commander in (]hief. Bliss Anundance McLean's Pre iiier , William Hurst Maud S Lee's Earliest Hancock Earliest of All Dan'l O'Rourke Rural New Yorker Express Caracticus July 20 48 6 ■ ' -■'•> 20 7 24 20 6 23 48 17 " 29 IS 10 Autr. 1 4S 10 July 23 24 9 27 3() 4 10 14 8 17 13 8 " 5 10 8 25 36 12 20 36 / 24 30 10 20 40 16 20 24 9 " 20 24 6 20 (!0 12 2;{ 36 12 Awr. all Fottler's IJruiiswiek Stone Mason Large Late Uergen Green Glazed Marhiehtad JIaniniotli Early Ox Heart Inijtroved Drumhead .Savoy. Red Dnteli Early D,'e|.head Early Blooinsdale Lee's E.xcelsior JO.irly VVynian Sugar Loaf Winninystadt Early Flat Dutch Mohawk Giant (.'auo Joharie Henderson's Jvirly Summer. Eiirlv Hleiclifield (i4 72 5r, 4S 57 fil 7!) (iS (il 42 GO 42 71 SO 81 67 n!) (il SO ().") ()0 72 7!) 61 62 82 85 89 90 78 SO 71 84 84 72 89 70 79 64 73 84 78 90 71 84 79 80 74 70 81 41 32 87 82 110..4 22..7 13.. 2 16..7 18..4 12..1 72..1 18..2 42..7 39..2 40..1 111. .7 20..1 18..8 16..2 24..1 65..2 24.. 2 18..4 19..2 26..7 44..4 37..3 22..4 45..4 22 7 126 123 139 122 130 123 130 120 122 135 140 137 122 133 130 127 125 115 112 121 122 129 139 130 128 131 36 REPORT ON GARDEN VEGETABLES. CAULIFLOWER. We planted one hundred seeds of ten varieties of the Cauliflowor, and one variety of Broeoli, in a moderate iiotbed April 7th, which were trans- planted to highly enriched soil May 16th. The Snowball, Extra Early Erfurt Early London were the first to form heads. The first mentioned, when true to name, is the ideal type of this favorite vegetable ; leaves short, and with tJje tendency to head up quickly very pronounced. Late and large growing kinds, as the Hulf Early Paris, occupy the ground too long, and even then in this climate are un- certain about heading. The Purple Cape Broeoli is also unwortliy of cul- tivatiDU, as it has failed to head for the past two seasons. TABLE NO. 12— CAULIFLOWER. Variety, Snowball Veitche's Autumn Giant Walcheren Lenorinand's Short Stem Lars^e Late London Early London Half Early Paris Algiers Early Erfurt Extra Early Erfurt Purple Cape Broeoli 8 71 9 of) ,s .50 s .58 8 50 8 28 i) 30 9 41 7 9 52 20. 33 20 18 23 18 36 32 IS 16 33 61 79 78 (iO 50 32 90 82 70 75 95 24..7 36.3 23..7 18..4 33.. 1 19..4 42 28.. 2 23..5 19.3 118 130 130 128 130 123 137 142 130 123 MISCELLANEOUS. 37 ISCELLANEOUS. SMUT ON GRASS, The smut (ustUago carbo) frequent- ly attacks the flower of grasses. Whole patches of moist meadows were covered with the black effloresceuce of this fuugus the past season. Of the cultivated grasses tlie tall Oat grass [Avhenatheruni avenaceurn) was most affected, and next Johnson's grass ; of the wild grasses, {Panicum crusgalii) so abundant everywhere, and {Bi'omas seealinus) were most af- fected. ERGOT Is a fungus that develops upon the grain of several members of tiie grass family ; all are ssubject to it, both the cereals and those of the Mieadow. It has long been known to be ve'y de- structive on the continent of Europe to botii man and beast. The mode of growth is ab 'ut as follows: The spores (or seeds) become attaclied to the flowers or a grass and sierminate, the filaments of the fungus penetrat- ing the ovary of tlie see The best seed in the culture of any crop is in- dispensable to success. Good seed costs money to grow it, and this fact the gardener would do well to recog- nize in purchasing, for in this case at lea>t, what costs most pays best in the end. Table 13 shows results in a test of seeds ot various ages. These seeds were tested last year, and show a loss of vitality with increased age. Orchard grass is an exception; its ability to veg- etate was as good this year as last. Some or all of these seeds may l)e old- er than that given in the table; they, however, have been in our possession the length of time opposite each kind in the table: TABLE NO. 13— TESTS OF SEEDS. Variety , p> ^ CI5 tc • •-b 2 S- iT> ^ a ac! 1 cc c; X T- r' Wh.'ic Kiom. Orchard grass Spinach Tomato, Trophy Johnson grat-s Blue grass Meadow Fescue grass Carrot, Daiivers Onion, Dan vers Turnii), Strap Leaf Cabbage, Wakefield Corn, Darling's Celery, Boston Market Cabbage, Mohawk Giant. Carrot, ScarJet Horn Sweet Vernal grass Tomato, Conqueror Cabbage, Flat Dutch Meadow Fescue grass 4 30 ,V) 50 ."> 30 2 20 4 3 4 3 3 30 3 30 3 50 3 48 3 50 4 4 2 51 2 48 3 4 3 (',:> 4 35 1 o Hiram Sibley & Co. B. K. Bliss