A £lb r>.^ UNIVERSITY OP _ ILLINOIS LISHArY ffiB .ORBANA'C. Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016 https://archive.org/details/reportofagricult2188unse 1 vvV CiTCv'i \im% copy OF ILLINOIS, Agriculture Library Experiment Station Bulletin No. 2, Pci less. Auburn , ^ILa. ISSUED BY THE -^STATB^ Department of Agrigulture. R. F. KOLB, Commissioner, Montgomery , b!Z«. W. i£. Allred, Printer, Montgomery, Aia. 6 ion A i i b w. 2 A. & M. COLLEGE. Experiment Station , Auburn , AZa., /aw. l###. SMALL FRUITS, VEGETABLES, &C. STAWBERRIES. In the spring of 1886 one dozen each of fifty-two varie- ties of Strawberries were purchased of John Collins of Moorestown, N. J., to which Agriculturist was added — 53 in all, and planted undef as nearly identical circumstances as- possible. The hardiness of the varities was put to a severe test by the drouth in the fall of ’86. March 16th, 1887, an examination was made to ascertain how many of each variety survived the drouth and heat or the previous summer and the cold of winter, with the fol- lowing results : The numbers opposite the names of the varieties indicate the number that survived at the date namedjof the twelve planted the previous spring. May King ... 6 Jewell 10 Wonderful ...11 Champion 10 Chas. Downing ... 4 Manchester ......10 Prince of Berries ...10 Sharpless 10 Cumberland Triumph.... ...10 Longfellow 12 Old Iron Clad ... 8 Indiana Prest. Lincoln ...12 Prime ...... 5 Mrs. Garfield 9 Lacon 10 Bid well ...11 Miner’s Jersey Queen ... 4 Mt. Vernon. 8 Jucunda ... 4 Kentucky 11 Legal Tender ... 4 Continental 5 Capt. Jack ... 7 Harris’ Mammoth Crystal City ...io Boyden No. 30 Vineland Seedling ,...n Early Canada Wilson Albany ...li Parry ... , 9> Henderson L... .... 7 Dan’l Boone.,. > 8 4 Monarch of the West. .. .. 4 Jas. Yick 8 Cornelia ..12 Nig’s Superb 5 W arren .. 8 Crescent . 9 Piper’s Seedling ..12 Big Bob . 5 Glendale ..10 Windsor Chief 10 Atlantic ..10 Agriculturist .11 Finch Seedling .. 6 Lida 1 Golden Defiance .. 9 Belmont viSot observed. Jumbo .. 9 Buback j Triumph de Gaud ..12 April 29th, 1887, with the aid of several members of the class in Agriculture the following record was made after critical observation of all of the varieties as to growth of the vines, productiveness, earliness and quality of the ber- ries. An effort was made to select berries for tasting of equal ripeness. This was found to be difficult since some varieties were not at that date fully ripe. The standard of the American Pomological Society was adopted in grading the quality, viz : “Good,” “very good” and “best,” as far as practicable, but we found it necessary to adopt a grade be- low good. As to size, the Wilson, as the most widely known, was selected as the standard for “medium.” Those smaller than the Wilson were classed as, “below medium.” Those somewhat larger as “above medium,” and if very much larger as large or very large. Specimens of each variety were cut in half for the purpose of testing their firmness and solidity and observing their color. Similar observations were made May 5th, when all were ripe by the Director, aided by several members of the faculty of the A. M. College. The notes taken on both occasions are given as the later observation embraces some varieties that were unripe at the first. 1. May King — Late; plants feeble ; not prolific ; below medium; pale-red; similar to Jumbo but not so firm. 2. Wonderful — Late ; vigorous ; prolific ; medium ; deep- red ; quality poor ; astringent. 3. Jewell — Very late ; vigorous ; not prolific ; above me- dium ; good. 5 4. Champion — Late; vigorous; very prolific ; deep-red within and without ; medium ; very good. 5. Chas. Downing — Plants feeble; not prolific; below me- dium ; deep-red ; best. 6. Prince of Berries — Vigorous ; not prolific ; light-red; good. 7. Cumberland Triumph — Vigorous; prolific ; medium ; roundish ; red within ; good ; astringent. 8. Old Iron Clad — Late ; not prolific ; vigorous ; below medium ; pale-red ; very poor — astringent. 9. President Lincoln — Late ; not prolific ; below medi- um ; good ; plants up-growing in habit. 10 Mrs. Garfield — Late : vigorous , prolific ; above me. dium ; white inside ; good. 11. Bidwell — Late ; vigorous ; not prolific ; below medi- um ; red within ; good, but somewhat astringent. 12. Jersey Queen — Late; not vigorous; prolific; below medium ; poor ; insipid. 13. Jucunda — Feeble grower ; not prolific ; below med- ium ; deep red ; very good. 14. Legal Tender — Feeble ; not prolific ; below medium ; deep red ; very good. 15. Capt. Jack — Feeble; prolific; below medium; deep red ; good ; somewhat astringent. 16. Crystal City — Early; vigorous; not prolific; below medium ; barely good. 17. Vineland Seedling — Very vigorous; prolific; above medium ; white inside ; very good. 18. Wilson Albany — Vigorous; prolific; medium; deep red ; good. 19. Henderson — Vigorous ; not prolific ; medium ; very red inside ; very best. 20. Monarch of the West — Thrifty ; late ; not prolific ; above medium ; white flesh ; good. 21. Cornelia — Vigorous; late; prolific; medium; red flesh; good. 6 22. Warren — Earty ; feeble ; not prolific ; medium ; good. 23. Piper's Seedling — Vigorous; quite prolific; late; above medium ; red flesh ; good ; has the habit of produc- ing double blossoms like Sharpless, resulting in cock’s-comb berries. 24. Glendale — Vigorous; prolific; late; medium; very firm but seedy ; deep red ; sharply conical ; good, but acid. 25. Atlantic — ISot vigorous nor prolific ; below medium ; good ; wild flavor. 26. Finch Seedling — Vigorous ; prolific ; late ; above medium ; good. 27. Golden Defiance — Vigorous ; prolific ; late ; above medium ; good. 28. Jumbo — Vigorous; prolific; late; above medium; good ; firm ; good for shipping. 29. Triumph de Gand — Vigorous; prolific; late; large; very good. 30. Manchester — Vigorous and prolific ; late; above me- dium; very good. 31. Sharpless — Vigorous; not prolific; above medium ; soft ; very good. 32. Longfellow — Feeble ; not prolific ; late ; small. 33. Indiana — Vigorous ; not prolific ; medium ; good. 34. Primo — Vigorous; early; prolific; mediun; pale- red ; very good. 35. Lacon — Vigorous , not prolific ; early ; below me- dium; good. 36. Miner's — Vigorous; very prolific; late; medium; white flesh ; good. 37. Mt. Vernon — Vigorous; prolific; medium ; deep red; good. 38. Kentucky — Very feeble; not prolific; medium ; very good. 39. Continental — Feeble ; not prolific ; above medium ; early; deep red; roundish; best; next to Henderson in flavor. 7 40. Harris’ Mammoth— V igorous; not prolific; medi- um; good. 41. Boyden No. 30 — Feeble; not prolific; medium; good. 42. Early Canada — Vigorous; very early; medium; poor; acid. 43. Parry — Vigorous ; not prolific ; above medium ; good. 44. Band Boone — Very feeble; not prolific ; below me- dium ; good. . , 45. Jas. Vick — Vigorous; prolific; medium; good. 46. Nig’s Superb — Vigorous; very prolific; early; me- dium ; good. 47. Crescent ( pistillate ) — Vigorous; very prolific; early; below medium ; good ; too hard and seedy. 48. Big Bob — Vigorous; not prolific; above medium; good. 49. Windsor Chief- — Vigorous ; prolific * early ; medium; good. 50. Agriculturist — Very thrifty an«d prolific; early; me- dium ; best. 51. Lida — Feeble; prolific; below medium ; notripe. 52. Belmont — Vigorous; very prolific; above medium; best. 53. Buback — ^Vigorous; prolific; above medium; very good. The observation made May 5th, by a committee different from the other except in one member, correspond generally with the foregoing, but differ somewhat in the classification of the quality of the berries. This is probably due mainly to the fact that the berries were riper when the second record was made. Each variety was carefully sampled by each member of the committee, and a vote taken upon the classification in every case both as to the size and quality of the berries. The different varieties showed very decidedly distinctive 8 characteristics as to habit of growth as well as in the size, form, color and quality of the berries. RECORD MADE MAY 5th, 1887. 1. May King — Very feeble; not prolific; below medi- um ; poor ; insipid. 2. Wonderful — Vigorous; prolific; late; medium; good. 3. Jewell — Vigorous ; not prolific ; good. 4. Champion — Vigorous; very prolific; very good. 5. Chas. Downing — Very feeble; poor bearer; very good ; berries deep red and soft. 6. Prince of Berries — Vigorous; moderately prolific; best. 7. Cumberland Triumph — Vigorous ; prolific ; good ; but somewhat astringent. 8. Old Iron Clad — Vigorous; not prolific; below me- dium ; very poor. 9. Brest. Lincoln — Up-grower; not prolific; below me- dium ; good. 10. Mrs. Garfield — Vigorous ; prolific ; above medium ; very good. 11. Bidwell — Up-grower; vigorous; not prolific ; medi- um ; very good. 12. Jersey Queen — Feeble ; late ; not prolific ; below medium ; good. 13. Juvunda — Feeble; not prolific; medium; good. 14. Legal Tender — Feeble; not prolific; below medium; best. 15. Captain Jack — Feeble ; very prolific ; medium ; good. Id. Crystal City — Vigorous ; not prolific ; early; poor. 17. Vineland Seedling — V ery vigorous ; prolific ; above medium ; good. 18. Wilso7i Albany — Vigorous ; not prolific ; medium ; very good. 19. Henderson — Vigorous ; not prolific ; below medium , very best. 9 20. Monarch of the West — Not vigorous ; not prolific ; above medium ; very good. 21. Cornelia — Vigorous; prolific ; above medium; good. 22. Warren — Feeble ; not prolific ; below medium ; good- 23. Piper’s Seedling — Vigorous ; very prolific ; medium ; double bloomer ; barely good. 24. Glendale — Vigorous ; prolific ; medium ; firm ; seedy; good, but acid. 25. Atlantic — Not vigorous ; prolific ; below medium ; good. 26. I inch Seedling — Vigorous ; prolific ; above medium ; good. 27. Golden Defiance — Vigorous; not prolific ; medium; poor. 28. Jumbo — Vigorous ; very prolific ; above medium ; very good. 29. Triumph de Gand — Vigorous; prolific; large; very good. 30. Manchester — Vigorous ; prolific ; above medium ; very good. 31. Sharpless — Vigorous; not prolific; large; best. 32. Longfelloiv — Feeble ; not prolific ; above medium ; very good. 33. lndianaVigorous\ prolific ; medium ; very good. 34. Primo — Vigorous ; prolific ; above medium ; very good. 35. Zacon — Vigorous ; not prolific ; medium; very good. 36. Miner’s — Vigorous ; very prolific ; medium ; very good. 37. Mt. Vernon — Vigorous ; prolific ; medium ; poor. 38. Kentucky — Feeble; not prolific; below medium; very good. 39. Continental — Vigorous ; not prolific ; below medium; very good. 40. Harris’ Mammoth — Vigorous ; not prolific ; medium; good. 10 41. Boyden No. 80— Feeble ; not prolific ; below medium; good. 42. Early Canada — Vigorous; prolific; very early ; be- low medium ; poor. 43. Parry — Vigorous ; not prolific ; none ripe. 44. Darnel Boone — Feeble ; not prolific ; very good. 4‘5. Jas. Vick — Vigorous ; very prolific ; medium ; good. 46. Nog's Superb — Vigorous; very prolific; below me- * dium ; good. 47. Crescent ( pistillate ) — Vigorous; very prolific; below medium ; good. 48. Big Bob — Vigorous ; not prolific ; late ; none ripe at this time. 49. Windsor Chief — Vigorous; prolific; medium; good. 59. Agriculturist — Most vigorous of ail; very prolific; medium ; best. 51. Lida — Feeble; not prolific; below medium; poor. 52. Belmont — Vigorous ; very prolific ; medium ; good. 53. Buback — Vigorous; not prolific; none ripe. RASPBERRIES. Twenty-five varieties of raspberries have been under ob- servation for two years. May 231, 1887, when most of the varieties were in full fruitage, in company with a commit- tee invited for the purpose, the following record was made after thorough investigation of the condition of the vines and character, size and quality of the fruit. These, as were the strawberries, were planted upon thoroughly 'prepared and fertilized sandy soil, with yellow, tough clay subsoil. The exposure is nearly level and without protection of any kind. The Turner was taken as the standard in size, represent- ing medium. B. C., after the^name of the variety, means that it is of the black-cap type; and R. 0. of the r^d-cap type. The former propogate naturally by layering the tips of the vines. The latter by underground stems. Berries classed as “poor,” ‘‘good,” “very good,” and “best.” 11 The following notes were made May 23d, 1887 : 1. Mammoth Cluster , B. C . — Neither vigorous, hardy, nor prolific ; berries black, small and acid ; poor. 2. Doolittle , B. C . — Very vigorous, hardy and prolific; berries black, large, best. 3. New Rochelle , B. C. — Vigorous ; not prolific ; berries large, dark purple, good, acid. 4. Florence , B. G. — Vigorous, hardy and prolific; ber- ries salmon colored, large, very good. (See foot note.) 5. Davidson Thornless — Plants feeble, not hardy, late, berries not ripe. 6. Ohio , B. C. — Vigorous ; prolific ; dark ; medium ; very .good. 7. Gregg, B. C. — Vigorous but not prolific, very large; dark ; good ; acid. 8. Hopkins , B. C . — Vigorous and prolific; medium; dark ; very good, but rather seedy. 9. Sauhegan , B. C . — Vigorous ; very prolific ; medium ; good ; acid. 10. Schaffer's Colo sal, B. C . — Very vigorous, hardy and prolific ; very large; dark purple; not ripe May 23d. They were ripe May 27th and continued till all others were gone; quality very good. 11. Welch, R. C. — Vigorous; not prolific; medium; dark red ; good ; acid. 12. Early Prolific, R. C. — Vigorous; moderately prolific; medium ; dark red ; good. 13. Highland Hardy , R. C . — Neither vigorous, hardy, nor prolific ; medium ; red ; best. 14. Rancocas, R. C . — Vigorous ; not prolific ; medium ; dark red ; very good. 15. Reliance , R. C . — Vigorous ; moderately prolific ; above medium ; very good. 16. Caroline , R. (7. — Feeble ; prolific ; below medium ; black ; very good. 17. Turner, R. C. — Very vigorous ; hardy and prolific; 12 propogates rapidly ; medium ; red ; best. 18. Brandywine , R. C. — Vigorous ; prolific ; above me- dium ; light red ; good. 19. Crimson Beauty , R. C. — Plants feeble ; no fruit. 20. Golden Queen , R. C. — Vigorous and hardy, but not l rolific ; large ; yellow ; best ; hybrid. 21. Harwell , R. C. — Neither vigorous, hardy nor prolific; very large ; not ripe. 22. Curthbert , R . C. — Very vigorous, hardy and* prolific; propogates very rapidly ; red ; very good. 23. Superb , R. C . — Neither vigorous, hardy, nor prolific; large ; dark red ; good. 21. Marlboro , R. C. — Plants very feeble ; only a few sur- viving ; very large ; red ; very good. 25. Tyler , B. C, — Vigorous, early and prolific ; medium ; black ; very good, but somewhat seedy. Doolittle, Florence, Schaffer’s Colosal, Turner, Golden Queen and (Juthbert are especially recommended. Doolit- tle is extra early, vigorous, and prolific ; and Schaffer’s Colo- sal continues the harvest after all others have ceased to ripen. Twenty-one varieties of tomatoes were panted in 1887 with a few duplicates from seed derived from different sour- ces. Seed were received from Henry A. Dreer, Philadelphia, Pa.; J. M. Thorburn, N. Y., and from the U. S. Department of Agriculture. These were all transplanted under identical circumstances from the seed bed in which all were sown on the same day. Representative specimens were selected from the different plats, some of which were duplicate varie- ties from different seedsmen. These were prepared and sampled by a committee on the same day and the following record made. Few realize the difference which exist in the flavor of different varieties of tomatoes. They vary in fla- vor almost as widely as apples or pears. 1. Yellow Pear {Dreer) — Small, 3 7 ellow, egg-shaped; very hardy and prolific ; grows in clusters like the common 13 plum tomato ; no waste ; very delicate ; best. 2. Optimus ( Thorburn ) — Deep red ; medium ; firm and pulpy ; 1-6 waste in cutting ; good ; mild. 3. New Jersey ( Thorburn ) — Medium ; deep red; £ waste; green around seed ; cavity large ; very good. 4. Golden Queen (Dreer) — Yellow; medium ; solid and pulpy ; £ waste ; tinged with red ; good ; disposed to crack operun wet weather. 5. Prize Belle ( Thorburn ) — Pale red ; i waste ; ripens slowly T around stem ; hard core in center ; poor. 6. Early Advance ( Thorburn ) — Below medium ; round ; deep red ; one-twentieth waste ; ripens well to core; pulpy ; without cavity ; poor. 7. lied Cherry [Dreer) — Yellow; apparently same as yellow pear ; egg-shaped ; no waste ; best. There was evi- dently a mistake in labeling the seed. 8. Mayflower (Dreer ) — Below medium; deep red ; no cavity at stem ; one-thirtieth waste ; ripens perfectly to cen- ter ; solid ; pulpy ; good. 9. Livingston’s Favorite (Dreer) — Medium; deep red • •J waste ; slight depression around the stem ; ripens to cen- ter ; firm and pulpy ; very tender and delicate ; best. 10- Early Paragon (Dreer) — Large; one -sixth waste; deep red ; with purple tinge ; ripens well to center ; firm and pulpy ; very good. IT. Livingston’ s Perfection (Dreer ) — Below medium ; deep red ; £ waste ; ripe to centre ; firm and pulpy ; very good. 12. Improved Mayflower ( U. 8. Depart, of Agriculture ) — Medium ; deep red ; green around seed ; ripens to centre ; not firm ; -J waste ; very good. 13. Dreers Selected Trophy (Dreer) — Large; deep red; 1-10 waste; ripens to centre ; firm and pulpy; no cavity; best ; very decided flavor. 14. Optimus (Dreer ) — Below medium ; deep red; 1-20 waste ; ripens well to centre ; pulpy and firm ; poor in quality. 14 15. Golden Queen ( Thorium ) — Yellow; medium; cracks; hard centre; 1-6 waste; green around the seed — cavity; very good ; delicate. 16. Cardinal (Dreer) — Medium ; deep red ; i waste ; ripens to centre ; firm ; pulpy ; good. It is not unusual for the tomato plant either to die or cease bearing in mid summer, thus cutting off the supply. This trouble may be obviated in two ways, viz: If the plants when set in early spring are planted so that the roots will be a foot below the general surface they will live and continue to bear during the entire season. If the soil is not sufficiently drained to admit of this successive plantings will give a continuous supply from June ’till November. J. S. Newman, Director. \ Circulating- copy Agricultural Library