TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS.

BULLETIN N0. 77.

Horticultural Sectziong-DECEMBER, 1904.

ONIONS AND BUNCH CROPS

AT BEEVILL E.

1. ONIONS   % 3. RADISHES
2. BEETS A t. LETFLTCE
5. CARROTS SAND TURNIPS.

View 0f some plats used in these experiments; variety beet test kin the foreground-

POSTOFFICE:
A COLLEGE STATION, BRAZOS COUNTY, TEXAS.

TEXAS AGRECULTURAL EXPERl M‘EN T STATIONS.

 

OFFICERS.

 

GOVERNING BOARD.

(BOARD OF DIRECTORS A. AND M. COLLEGE.)

M. SANSOM, President . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..A1varado.

F. A. REIGHABDT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Houston.

K. K. LEGGETT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Abi1ene.

GEO. T. JEsTEn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Corsicana.

W. J. CLAY . _ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Austin.

A. HAIDUSEK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .La Grange.

L. D. AMSLER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .i . . . . . . . . . . . ..Hempstead.

A. J. BROWN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Da11as.

STATION QFFICERS.
DAVID F. HOUSTON, LL. D., President of the College.

J OHN A. CRAIG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Dean and Director.

H. H. HARRINGTON, M. S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chernist.

M. FRANCES, D. V. M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Veterinarian.

F. S. JOHNSTON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Agricu1turist.

E. J. KYLE, M. S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Horticu1turist.

F. R. MARSHALL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Anima1 Husbandry.

EDWARDS C. GREEN, B. S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Assistant Horticulturist.

G. S. FRAPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Assistant Chemist.

R. L. BENNETT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Cotton Specialist.

O. M. BALL . _ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .i . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Botanist.

J. G. HARRISON . _ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Bookkeeper.

STATE SUB-S TATIONS.

J. K. ROBERTSON, Superintendent . . . . . . . . . .Beevil1e, Bee county.
W. S. HOTOHKISS, Superintendent . . . . . . . .Troupe, Smith county.

NOTE.-—The main station is located on the grounds of the Agri-
cultural and lilechanical College, in Brazos county. The Post-
ofiice address is College Station, Texas. Reports and bulletins are
sent free upon applioatimi t0 the Director. -

ONIONS AND BUNCH CROPS AT BEEVILLE.

BY J. K. ROBERTSON AND EDWARD C. GREEN.

As early as the year 1900 the growing of winter onions had be-
come an industry of such promise as to warrant this Station in in-
vestigating some of the problems which confronted the grower of
this crop. During that year detailed tests were made of the com-
parative cost of hand and horse culture, with the result that hand
culture with appropriate gardening implements proved the more

economical. Previous to 1900, and since then, repeated tests of’

varieties have shown that for general purposes the Bermudas are
the most desirable and profitable; the Red Bermuda giving uni-
formly the best satisfaction. In Bulletin No. 5, of the Beeville
Station, entitled “Growing Onions,” the most approved methods of
producing the crop were discussed and recommended, and definite
results of the above mentioned tests were given. The demand for
this report soon exhausted the edition, and consequently a press bul-
letin was published on the same subject.

Recently the increased practice of irrigation has brought another
problem before the onion grower, and the question as to what ex-
tent irrigation pays, is one of lively interest to those who have
made fair crops without irrigation, but now begin to feel the com-
petition of growers who are equipped to supply water when drouth
threatens injury to the onion field. The present bulletin treats in
part of the cost, culture and yields of irrigated and unirrigated
plats on the Station ground. Estimates have been eliminated as
much as possible in favor of actual expenditures; the cost of labor,
irrigation, etc., is the full actual cost, and the returns from sales
are the net cash receipts subsequently turned into the treasury of
the State of Texas.

The variety test of onions has been continued, and the results of
the past season’s work are here reported. This experiment is con-
sidered desirable and necessary, not only that the Station may be
in the van in the investigation of new sorts of possible commercial

importance, but, also, that there may be a reliable record for the '

guidance of the many strangers who are making their homes in
South Texas. Of these, the majority have confidence in varieties
which are standard in the old States, but which persistently fail
with us, and the variety tests of onions and of other vegetables are
reported that failure and discouragement may be averted from
those who care to advise themselves.

Owing to the rapidly increasing interest in bunch crops and the
meager fund of information available on the subject, the Station
has taken up a series of what may be termed plain yield tests of the
various kinds of vegetables involved. Plats were used of size suffi-
ciently large to make results comparable to practical field condi-

4 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS.

tions, and accurate data on the operations, cost of same, returns,
etc., were kept and are herewith recorded. When failure occurred
the causes are set forth that others as well as ourselves may profit
by them. In addition to the investigations on the cost of produc-
tion, etc., variety tests were made with each of the crops under con-
sideration, and the results with recommendations for the commer-
cial grower are appended wherever warranted by the data in hand.

As recently as 1902 but few isolated boxes or barrels of bunch
vegetables were shipped from points in South Texas, and up to the
present time the writers are not aware that any solid carloads have
been sent to Northern markets. It is safe to prophesy, however,
that within a season or two the Beeville section alone will ship
solid cars of radishes, beets, lettuce, turnips, spinach and other
crops not now so commonly grown as the ones mentioned.

1. EXPERIMENTS WITH ONIONS.

 

SEED BEDS.

The seed beds for both the irrigation experiment and the variety
test were prepared, seeded and cared for in the same manner. A
rich, sandy, gray loam was selected and broken with a plow, after
which it was worked over with a spading fork to the depth of four
or five inches. No fertilizer was used, although had the soil been
less fertile a good dressing of well-rotted cow-pen manure would
have been applied. Excepting the varieties which of necessity had
to be planted in short rows by hand, the seeds were drilled in with
a planter lengthwise of the bed, and the rows spaced about three
inches apart. The seeds were placed a half-inch deep in the drill,
and six ounces were required to plant the 4x50 foot bed. Five or
six such beds will furnish sufficient plants to set an acre of onions
in' fifteen inch rows, four inches apart in the drill. Whenever it
appeared that water was needed the seed beds were sprinkled and
thoroughly wetted, the application being made preferably about the
middle of the day.

INSECTS.

Thrips appeared in the seed beds in December and were promptly
destroyed by an application of two pounds of whale oil soap dis-
solved in six gallons of water. The solution was sprayed over the
bed very thoroughly, and no further trouble was experienced.
This insect appears frequently in the field as well as in the seed
beds, and may be recognized by the whitish appearance of the parts
attacked. When the infestation has reached an advanced stage the
leaves have a sticky feeling when drawn through the fingers. This
pest is by far the most common and the most serious foe of the
onion, and on account of its minute size, being about that of the
chicken mite, it is often overlooked, even when present in numbers

ONIONS AND BUNoH CRoPs.

   

Leveling field for onion setting.

Tools used in the onion work.

Single wheel hoe at left. Double wheel hoe at center. Garden seed drill at right. (Jul-
ttvator shovel, hoes and teeth tn foreground.

6 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS.

fatal to the plant. To be on the safe side, whenever onions in the
seed bed or in the field look sickly, as though injured by drouth,
over-abundant moisture or frost, it is well t0 spray them with from
one to two pounds of the whale oil soap melted in six gallons of hot
water. The treatment costs little, and it may be the means of sav-
ing the crop. Many instances are known where beds have been
ruined before the owner’s eyes, and he has had no idea as to what
caused the “sickness” of the plants.

PREPARATION OF THE LAND.

The soil used for the onion field was a rich, black loam contain-
ing some sand, and, though naturally rich, it was not especially
fertile at the time of the experiment, owing to the continuous
cropping of previous years. During September the land was plowed
seven inches deep with a single disk and harrowed thoroughly, and
on December 17th it was again broken with a turning plow set six
inches deep and harrowed. On January 30th furrows were laid off
two and a half feet from center to center, using a twenty-four-inch
sweep, and water applied at the rate of 40,000 gallons per acre.
February 2d the field was leveled with an Acme pulverizer, culti-
vated three inches deep with a five-tooth cultivator, and planked to
smooth the surface for planting, and on the following day the
onions were set for both experiments.

SETTING.

Preparatory to the removal of seedlings to the field, the seed beds
were soaked by flooding and the plants drawn by hand. The tops
were trimmed to about five inches, and the roots cut to about three-
fourths of an inch long. As a plant carrier while setting, a third of
a bushel bean crate proved convenient and satisfactory. This box is
8x5x22 inches, and may be converted into an onion plant carrier by
tacking on the piece usually used at a top and leaving off one of
the eight-inch sides. A basket bail nailed on lengthwise makes a
good handle, and the narrowness of the box allows it to sit between
planted rows.

The rows are laid off with a line, but in making large plantings
it would be more economical to use a four-runner slide marker, by
which means three rows could be laid off in less time than required
for one with a line. It has been advised for sandy soils that a good
marker can be made of from two to four old buggy wheels adjusted
on an axle to which handles for drawing and guiding have been
attached. The wheel spokes should be cut down to within a few
inches of the hubs and sharpened so that as the marker is drawn
forward each spoke punches a hole every four or five inches along
the line. By this means of marking it is claimed that much labor
is saved in making holes, and that there is the further advantage of
having each plant spaced at the right distance in the drill.

 

w‘

Omoxs " ND BUNCH CROPS.

"ing.
On right as trimmed for plant

Onions prepared for sett
On left as drawn from seed bed.

ing.

8 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS.

CULTIVATION AND IRRIGATION.

As soon as planted a double Wheel hoe was run over the rows to

 

stir the soil, and double and single wheel hoes were used at frequent. p

intervals until the first of May, about one Week before harvesting.
In all, eight cultivations and one hoeing were given the varieties,
and a like treatment to the irrigated and unirrigated plats except
that in the case of the former the hand hoeing was not necessary.
The cultivation was such as is generally described as shallow and
frequent with a view toward preserving a dust mulch. After each
irrigation or rain the soil was stirred to break the crust and aid in
the conservation of moisture. At no time was the cultivation
deeper than one and one-half inches, and no attempt was made to
draw earth toward or away from the plants.

After the preparatory irrigation all except the check plat received
four more, each of the first three being at the rate of 30,000 gal-
lons per acre and the fourth 40,000 gallons. Although no exact
rule can be given as to when to apply water, for experience alone
can teach the beginner, yet it may be said that as long as the earth
beneath the surface inch “balls” well under the pressure of the fin-
gers (sticks together when pressed and does not crumble apart),
the plants are not likely to suffer for a day of two, and it may be
said further that an irrigation every ten days, with proper cultural
treatment, will suffice an onion crop even through a dry season.

FERTILIZERS.

A fertilizer, mixed at the Station and containing 5 per cent nitro-
gen, 6 per cent phosphoric acid and 9 per cent potash, was applied
March 4th at the rate of 500 pounds per acre, and worked in at
each side of the rows by means of the two-wheeled fertilizer dis-
tributor. This treatment had a noticeably beneficial effect on the
plants, and it is a question whether or not earlier application would
have proved of greater value.

HARVESTING.

When, on May 10th, about 85 per cent of the onions, by the fall-
ing and whitening of the tops, showed a sufficient degree of matur-
ity, the irrigation plats and some of the varieties were harvested.
The onions were pulled by hooking the finger under one side of the
bulb and drawing them from the ground, a wooden blade being

used to assist the hand where the soil was hard. Three rows were '

drawn together in a windrow and the onions‘ left to dry in the sun
for a few hours before being topped and sacked. For topping and
trimming a sharp knife is convenient, and when one becomes used
to handling it the work goes on very rapidly. The top should be
cut off about half an inch from the bulb, the onion reversed and
the roots trimmed close. It is important that the knife be kept

OmoNs AND BUNCH CROPS.

 
 

     

“_ ‘ , . _ 
,. ‘ .~ v‘
. x
. \ ' -~ ;
_ r
¢ ‘ "
, \ ,
1 . 7
~ , '
_ ¢
x * _

Onions-desirable market szize-all/g to 5 inches in diameter.

10 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS.

sharp as otherwise the tops are partly pulled ofi, thus tearing the
onion and destroying the keeping qualities. Over-ripe onions and
those left too long in the sun after pulling usually prove poor
keepers. The crop was marketed locally and delivered in sacks.
When shipped to Northern markets it is more desirable to pack
the good grades in standard crates holding fifty-two pounds. The
Bermuda onions bruise easily and quickly show the effects of care-
less handling, hence caution must be used in moving the crop from
the field to market.

IRRIGATION AND YIELD TEST.

The purpose of this experiment was to determine the relative
cost and yields of irrigated and unirrigated onion crops, with espe-
cial reference to the quantity, cost and value of water required.
The plats employed contained one-twentieth acre each, and the
seed used was imported Bed Bermuda. _

The rainfall for the Winter and spring of 1903-1904 was as
follows:

- Nov. 5,1903 ...... .. .30 inches. Dec. 31, 1903..... .11inches. Apr. 3,1904 ...... .. .16 inches.
Dec. 4, 1903 ...... .. 1.85 inches. Jan. 2, 1904.... .03 inches. Apr. 6, 1904.  .83 inches.
Dec. l2, 1903........ .20 inches. Jan. 4, 1904.... .07 inches. Apr. 29, 1904......" 1.22 inches.
Dec. 17, 1903......" .05 inches Jan. 28, 1904..... .09inches. May 2, 1904“... .. .43 inches.
Dec. 18, 1903...  .03 inches. Feb. 20, 1904..... .37 inches. May 4, 1904 ...... .. .78 inches.

Dec. 25, 1903 ...... .. .15 inches. Apr. 2, 1904“... .53 inches. May 6, 1904 ...... .. 1.03 inches.

As the plants were not large enough to go to the field early in
December, it was impossible to take advantage of the rain which
occurred on the 4th of that month, and as there were no further
rains of any consequence for weeks, it began to appear toward the
end of January that the experiment would be impossible, owing
to the continued drouth, which would have made the setting of the
unirrigated plat wholly useless. When February came in and there
was still no prospect of rain it was decided that one irrigation

- should be given each plat. This was accordingly done, and the

onions set. Without this preparatory irrigation the planting of the
check plat would have been impossible, and it may be said that dur-
ing a season such as the one under discussion the production of
onions without irrigation is practically impossible. However, the
drouth» of last winter is unusual in this section, and it seldom oc-
curs that the rainfall is insufficient to enable the trucker to set his
onions in the field. This being the case, it was not entirely unfair
to allow the one preparatory irrigation given the check plat in lieu
of the rain which usually occurs during the winter months.

ONIONS AND BUNCH CRoPs. 11

Yield from 1-20 acre given only preparatory irrigati0n—987 pounds.

Yield from 1-20 acre irrigated pIat—1928 pounds.

12 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS.

Irrigation and Yield Test of Onions.

  

Oost
i, F-i I - 5-1
{f} o EL; o
. _ ‘a ‘* . g l1 "‘ ,
Date. Operations, etc., on 21,, acre plats. U o g LU o 2
2 ‘é 2 ‘is ‘=11 2
a?» E e 5 i‘. E e
"5 s a 2: s é‘
H Q O F15
1903.
Dec- 17 Plowing and harrowing  $ .10 $ 2 00 $ .10 8 2 00
1904.
Jan. ' 30 Laying 01f furrows and irrigating for planting ....... .. .10 2 00 .10 2 00
Jan 30 2000 gallons water ................................................. .. .08 1 60 .08 1 60
Feb. 2 Leveling (Acme pulverizer, cul ator and planker) .10 2 00 .10 2 00
Feb. 3 Transplanting to   .45 9 00 .45 9 00
Feb. 3 13, 26. March 12. 28. April 9, 18 and May 3. cultivation. .18 3 60 .18 3 60
Feb. 11 March 10, 25. and April 16, irrigation (labor) ........... .. .24 4 80 ................ ..
8350 gallons water (4 irrigations) at 4 cents per 1000. .33; 6 70 ............... ..
Mar. 4 Fertilizer at rate of 500 pounds per acre .................. .. .58 11 60 .58 11 60
May 10 Pulling, trimming, sacking and weighing crop ....... .. .71 l4 20 .50 10 00
Apr.  Hand hoeing and weeding ........................................................ .. .25 5 00
May 10 Sacks at 8 cents each ................................................. .. 1.52 30 40 .80 16 00
*Watering and labor on seed beds (estimated) ..... ._ .25 5 O0 .25 5 00
+6 ounces imported Red Bermuda seed ................... .. .42.}, 5 06 .421} 5 06
Totals ................................................................ .. $5.07 $97 96 $3.81; $72 86

*The cost of this item is probably too high when estimated for one acre as the time
required to care for six beds would not be as great proportionally as that required
for one.

+Much more seed was used for this experiment than was required, hence the
reduced cost of seed estimated for one acre.

YIELDS.

The yield from the irrigated plat Was 1928 pounds, of which
only two pounds Were not marketable; the yield from the unirri-
gated or checked plat was 987 pounds, 6 ounces, of which twelve
pounds were not marketable. Estimated to an acre basis, the
yields were, respectively, 6'76 bushels 28 pounds and 349 bushels
and 54L pounds. The onions were sold at Beeville at 2 cents per
pound, making the actual returns from the one-twentieth acre ir-
rigated plat $38.52, and from the check plat $19.51, and the prof-
its $33A5 and $15.69, respectively.

REMARKS.

The difference in yield would have been greater, in all proba-
bility, had the irrigation equipment of the Station been able to
supply more water. As it was, difficulties with the old engine made
strictest economy with water essential, and the onions, together
with the other irrigated crops, did not receive as much as was nec-
essary to best results. At times the plat suffered from need of
moisture. The cost of water was determined by the quantity of
gasoline required while pumping the amount used on the onion
plats. The measurement of water was made at the reservoir, and
recorded without allowance for loss by seepage in the seventy-five
rods of carrying ditch between the reservoir and the plats.

THE VARIETY TEST.

The preparation of the land for this experiment was the same as

ONIONS AND BUNCH CRors. 13

‘that given for the onion plats already discussed, and the cultiva-
tion, fertilization and irrigation were practically identical with
that of the irrigated plat.

The old favorites, the Bermudas, have demonstrated again their
superiority in point of earliness and yield. Some of the new vari-
eties deserve further trial, though none can be recommended for
commercial planting.

The seed of all varieties was sown October 30, 1903; and the sets
moved to the field February 3, 1904.

Variety Test of Onions.

 
   
 
  

id *5 J» "‘ 8
-' . 8 3'3 3 3 2
.8 ‘e z "‘ a o
a *5. 2 3 "’ - ‘°
:1 Variety. Seedsman. q; .,_, a, m w ‘5
- . E
Z i’ U‘ o "U o '5 O ,6 '
+9 ‘D Q Q n” gig i-i B
S. ‘S a ‘=3 8'3 3 o .2 E
m a £ a a m >+
_ 1903 1904 '—
1 Mammoth Red Tripoli... Wm. Henry Maule. Nov. 7 good June 23 20 13 33
glSqOllthpOrt Red Globle" . am. genry kliaule. Nov. g goog gune 21  12% 
e ol't n Ma a‘ m. enry au e. ov. goo u e
4 Wliliite hgrmudr: 33a S. A. McHenry ..  Nov. 7 good Madly 10 48 l} 49}
5 Red Bermuda.  A. McHenry ...... .. Nov. 7 good May 10 63; .... .. 631}
ggréezgilfi .... ...I£.d.t.i1..,s l .. . . b. A. McHenry ...... .. Nov. 8 good May 18 35} .... .. 351
am v e r
King   W. A. Burpee ........ .. Nov. 8 fair June 12 46 3 49
ggarge Regweatliersgegd W. A. Burpee ....... .. Nov. 7 good June 23 20; 17 37$
urpee‘s ustra ian e -
low Globe .................... .. W. A. Burpee ........ .. Nov. 7 good June 23 11 13 24
40 El Paso .......................... .. W. A.Burpee ......... .. Nov. 9 good June 12 40 21} 421}
11 Australian Brown .......... .. W. A. Burpee ........ .. Nov. 9 good June 23 14; 21 351}
l2 Extra Early Red ........... .. W. A. Burpee ......... .. Nov. 8 good June 23 .... .. 33$ 33.};
13 Maule’s Prizetaker ....... .. Wm. Henry Maule. Nov. 8 good June 23 3 185 g
14 Round Danvers ............. .. Wm. Henry Maule. Nov. 8 fair June 23 .... .. 18 l8
15 Extra Early Cracker ..... .. Wm. Henry Maule. Nov. 10 poor June 28  . 14 14
16 Maule’s Yellow G 1 o b e
Danvers........................ WIILHBDTy Maule. Nov. 10 fair June 28 4-} 23 27;
17 Southport Yellow Globe. Wm. Henry Maule. Nov. 10 poor ................... ..  .... ..
very
13 Giant White Tripoli ...... .. Wm. Henry Maule. Nov. 10 poor June 28 5 5
VBPY
19 Giant Red Vesuvius ...... .. Wm. Henry Maule. Nov. 10 poor ............................... ..

DESCRIPTIONS.

Mammoth Red Triip0Zi.—Size medium; color red; fairly mild
flavor; inclined to make thick necks; poor keeper.

Southport Red Globa-Globe shape; skin red; strong flavor;
thick neck; matures unevenly and a poor keeper.

Neapolitan Marzaj0Za.--Size large; shape rather flattened; skin
white and thin; mild flavor; fair keeper; follows the Creole in
earliness.

White Bermuda-Large size; shape flattened; straw color; very
mild flavor; fair keeper.

Red Bermuda.——Similar to the White Bermuda except in color.

Cre0Ze.——Medium size; roundish in shape; red skin; strong
flavor; can be especially recommended for keeping quality.

New Mammoth Silver King.——Roundish shape; white, with thin
skin; rather strong flavor ; fairly good keeper, but inclined to split
or make double onions instead of perfect bulbs.

14 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS.

Large Red Weathersfield.-—Shape roundish ; color dark red; very
thick neck; strong flavor and poor keeping qualities.

Australian Yellow Globe.—Globe shape; dull yellow in color;
strong flavor; thick neck; poor quality.

El Paso.——Size large; creamy white in color; mild flavor; ma-
tures well and a good yielder, but poor keeper. Like Silver King,
inclined to make double onions.

Australian Brown.-—Color dull brown; otherwise similar to/Au-
stralian Yellow Globe.

Extra Early Recl.—Size small; color red; roundish shape; strong
flavor; thick neck; no value.

Maulek Prtzetaker.——(}lobe shape; ~color yellow; medium strong
flavor; thick neck; great many scullions ; poor keeper.

Round DClflU€T8.—'-SlZ€ small; roundish shape; skin yellow; me-
dium strong flavor; thick neck; poor keeper.

Extra Early Craclcer.-—Color yellow; strong flavor and poor
quality; made no marketable onions.

Mauleis Yellow Globe Banners-Similar to Round Danvers, but.
yellow in color and five days later.

Southport Yellow Globe.-—-Failed to make anything but scullions..
Giant White Trtpoltr-Failed to make anything butscullions.
Giant Red Vesuvius.——Failed to make anything but scullions.

View of 1-10 acre yield test of beets.

ONIoNs AND BUNCH ORoPs. 15

II. BEETS.

Of the bunch crops perhaps none is considered by the South
Texas truckers with more favor than the beet. It is easily grown,
is less particular as to soil and stress of weather than oth'er fall
crops, and usually is in strong demand in the Northern markets
throughout the winter. The bulk of the crop reaches market ma-
turity from eighty to ninety days after seed is sown, though a less
or greater time may be required according to the temperature of
the Winter months. With good culture and proper thinning two
crops may be grown on the same soil during the interval from Oc-
tober to May. As a net profit of $500 per acre for a single crop is
within the range of possibility, it is easily understood Why this
crop has become the subject of marked attention and special in-
quiry by those interested in truck gardens.

PREPARATiON OF LAND.

For the yield and the variety tests the preparation of the land
was as follows, except that for the yield test the preparatory irri-
gation was not given. In November the land was plowed deep,
thoroughly harrowed and pulverized, and later furrows were laid
off with a twelve-inch sweep and the land irrigated. Bat guano,
at the rate of 500 pounds per acre, was sown broadcast and worked
into the soil with a five-tooth cultivator.

SEEDING, CULTIVATION AND IRRIGATION.

A heavy rain two days after the preparatory irrigation so soaked
the ground that planting was much delayed. The seed was drilled
a half inch deep in rows seventeen inches apart on December 15th,
at the rate of five pounds per acre, and this operation was immedi-
ately followed by running a‘ wheel hoe around the rows to cover
with loose soil the packed track made by the planter. This is con-
sidered important for any garden crop after using the drill as it
prevents the formation of a crust over the seeds, besides conserving
moisture, and later, it enables the gardener to give the very small
plants a cultivation without so much danger of destroying them as
there would be if a crust had been allowed to form. The seed
vegetated to a good stand in from six to nine days. When in third
leaf the plants of the variety test were thinned to two or three
inches apart in the drill. From the time of planting until the
crop reached edible maturity less than one inch of rain fell, and
this small amount was distributed in nine showers. Six irrigations
were given, the applications varying from 18,000 to 30,000 gallons
per acre, and more water would have been used had it been avail-
able. Nine cultivations were made with double and single wheel
hoes.

During January and February frost and ice occurred twelve

16 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMLNT STATIONS.

Best type 0f bunch beets for winter market; small tap root, slender leaf stems
and even size.

Undesirable type of bunch beets; strong tap root, coarse leaf stems and uneven size.

ONIONS AND BUNCH CRoPs. 17

times, and, though the freezes were not sufficiently severe to seri-
ously injure the crop, they had the efiect of making growth slow
and halting.

HARVESTING AND PACKING.

The beets of the variety test being thinned to one plant to every
two or three inches matured evenly and were soon harvested, while
the test yield, owing to having been grown the usual way in re-

spect to thinning, was harvested through a period of sixty days.

In harvesting the crop the beets as they reached market size (two
or three inches in diameter) were pulled and conveyed to the pack-
ing shed. Here they were laid out on benches, dried and broken
leaves stripped from them, tied into bunches of three to five accord-
ing to size, and washed in tubs of water. After washing the tops
were cut off about six inches from the crown of the beet and the
bunches returned to the bench. Chipped, or ventilated, barrels
were used as a shipping package, the bunches being layered in con-
centric rings from the center to the staves, with the roots toward
the outside. From nineteen to twenty-five dozen bunches fill a
barrel. For covering the top hoop was removed, burlap sacking
spread over and the hoop driven back to place and nailed. No
ice was used in packing, as experience has shown it to be unneces-
sary with this crop.

MARKETING.

The beets were sold by cbnsignment to commission houses in
Kansas City and St. Joseph, Mo., shipments being made on the
following dates: March 15th, 18th, 24th, 25th, 30th, April 5th,
6th, 14th, 16th, May 1st and 15th. The best net returns were re-
ceived from Kansas City sales made in March and April, and the
smallest were from the same place in May. Through March and
April the beets sold for 40 cents per dozen bunches, and in May
at 25 cents. One shipment sent to St. Joseph in March brought
30 cents per dozen bunches at the time the Kansas City market was
firm at 40 cents.

18 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS.
One- Tenth-Acre Yield Test of Bunch Beets.
Date. _ Operations, etc. regillfigtl Cost.
1903.
Nov. 19 Preparation of land‘ ...................................................... .. 1 hour ...... .. $ .20
Nov. 19 Bat guano applied at the rate of 500 pounds per acre.. ................ .. .60
Dec. 15 V, pound Electric beet seed ........................................................... .. .25
Delgm 15 Planting and cultivating .............................................. .. 30 minutes .0375
Jan. 7 Cultivation with double wheel hoe   30 minutes .0375
Jan 14 Cultivation with single wheel hoe ................................ .. 25 minutes .0312
Jan 18 Laying oif land for irrigation (labor)...................  80 minutes .1166
Jan 18 4000 gallons water at 4 cents per 1000 .............................................. .. .16
Jan. 20 Cultivation with double wheel hoe ............................... .. 30 minutes .0375
Jan 29 Laying oif land for irrigation (labor) ............................ .. 40 minutes .0583
Jan 29 1800 gallons water (irrigated alternate rows) 4 cents
per 1000 .......................................................................................... .. .072
Feb. 2 Cultivation with sin le wheel hoe ................................. .. 30 minutes .0375
Feb. 10 Irrigation, labor an 3000 gals. water at 4 cents per 1000 30 minutes .17
Feb. 13 Cultivation with single wheel hoe ................................ .. 30 minutes .0375
Mar 8 Laying ofl’ land for irrigation (labor) ........................... .. 70 minutes .1083
Mar 8 4000 gallons water at 4 cents per 1000 ............................................. .. .16
Mar 10 Cultivation with single wheel hoe ................................ .. 40 minutes .05
Mar - 25 Irrigation labor. ............................................................ .. 40 minu_tes .0666
Mar 25 3000 gallons water at 4 cents per 1000 ......................................  ..... .. .12
Mar 28 Cultivation single wheel hoe ......... .._ ............................ .. 30 minutes 0375
Apr. 9 Cultivation single wheel hoe ........................................ .. 40 minutes .05
Cost of harvesting, washing, packing, etc ................. .. 98 hours"... 7.35
4% pounds twine .............................................................................. .. .64
14 barrels and top sacking.........   ................ .. 2.85
Total ..................................................................... ..  $ 13.2780
Total yield of plat was 309 dozen bunches.
Net returns from the 14 barrels shipped ............................... .. 67.51
Profit .................................................................................... .. 8 54.23

~ The labor employed was that of the two Station hands, one of
which received 75 cents per day and the other $1.00, which ex-
plains the difference in cost for equal amounts of time occupied in
irrigation and in operating the wheel hoes. The time recorded was
that actually spent on the beet plat. The total net returns of sales
from this one-tenth acre plat were $67.51, and the total cost of
production amounted to $13.28, leaving a profit of $54.23.

VARIETY TEST OF BEETS.

The preparation of the land, culture and irrigation was the same
as that of the yield test. The qualities desired in a beet for the
truck growers of this section are earliness to reach market matur-
ity, evenness of development (so that a few pullings will gather the
whole crop), slender leaf stems, small tap roots, rich red color, and
good shipping properties. The size of the tap root is an especially
essential point, as those with strong, thick ones do not pack well,
and nineteen dozen bunches, or even less, will fill a barrel which
would hold twenty-five dozens of a variety of better form. As the
express rate is based on 110 pounds to the barrel, and as transporta-
tion charges form the most serious expense in marketing the crop,
the practical advantage of the small tap root becomes apparent.

Of the new varieties tested the Crimson Globe and the New
Meteor deserve special mention as being a great promise. The
Electric is well established in the regard of the truckers as a com-
mercial beet, and at present is the one that can be most safely rec-
ommended.

19

ONIONS AND BUNCH Cnors.

  

 

          

 

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20 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS.

DESCRIPTIONS.

Dark Stins0n.—Skin dark red in color; flesh crimson with well-
defined white rings; medium coarse leaves and stems; medium tap
root; good, medium late variety.

Detroit Dark Red Tarnip.—l\Iedium leaf growth with slender
dark red stems; small tap root; flesh dark crimson with small
white rings; good second early variety.

New Meteor.—Flat turnip shaped with small tap root; skin
very dark red; flesh very dark crimson and almost solid in color;
sweet and tender; slender leaf stems; one of the best and earliest.

Eleetrie.—Flat turnip shaped; flesh dark crimson with lighter
rings; sweet and tender; small leaf growth and slender tap root;
so far the most popular in this section for a bunch beet.

Edmands.—Inclined to globe in shape; flesh light crimson with
well-defined White rings; quality poor; rank leaf growth and coarse
stems; strong tap root; not desirable for shipping purposes on ac-
count of long tap root.

Early Crimson Globe and Crimson Globe.—Similar in size,
shape and color; very smooth and from oblate to round in shape;
flesh dark crimson, sweet and tender; very slender stems and ex-
tremely small tap root. On account of their earliness, small tap
root and slender leaf stems either one is a very desirable beet for
the market gardener and Well worthy of a trial. ‘

Dewing.—Pale red color; rank leaf growth and coarse stems;
very coarse tap root; flesh light crimson with a good deal of white;
not desirable.

Plant Seed Cofs Improved Turnip.-—Flesh light crimson, with
wide white rings, coarse and woody; very large coarse leaves and
stems; not desirable. ,

Eelipse.~—Flesh light crimson; medium leaf growth and tap
root; fairly good variety for home garden, but not desirable for
shipping.

Grosbyfs Egyptian.—Flat turnip shaped; flesh very dark crim-
son, sweet and tender; medium leaf growth with small tap root;
good variety.

Early Blood Turnip.—-Flesh light crimson, almost white; rank
leaf growth with stems from pale green to light red in color; strong
tap root; not desirable.

III. RADISHES.

Of the bunch crops the radish is one of the most popular as it
usually reaches market maturity within an average of thirty-five
days from seeding, and on the same ground it is possible to raise

ONIoNs AND BUNCH ORoPs. 21

three profitable crops during the fall and winter seasons. A one-
tenth acre yield test was conducted, and twenty-eight varieties were
tested during the fall and Winter of 1903-1904. The preparation
of the soil was the same as that given the beets except that no fer-
tilizer was applied.

THE YIELD TEST.

On December 10th the seed was drilled at the rate of eight
pounds per acre in rows seventeen inches apart, and the planter fol-
lowed by a wheel hoe. The distance between rows was greater than
necessary, fifteen inches being the usual space, but unlevel ground
at the time of planting made the wide rows desirable that irriga-
tion water might be more easily handled. Cultivation was given
entirely with wheel hoes, and one irrigation sufficed for the crop.
Harvesting was practically the same as for the beets, except that
the tops were not cut.

ICING.

To prevent heating during shipment and to preserve the crisp
freshness on which the market value largely depends, it is neces-
sary to use crushed ice in packing. The barrels are not ventilated
as for beets, but four half-inch holes are bored in the bottom to
allow an escape for the water from the melted ice. The radishes
were packed in a manner similar to the beets, i. e., in concentric
circles, tops towards the center and roots towards the staves. The
layers WQTQ pressed in closely until the barrels were slightly over
one-third full, when the first layer of ice was put in. The second
layer of ice was placed when two-thirds full and the final layer
was put on when the barrels were filled. Enough radishes were
heaped on top of the last layer of ice to provide filling for the bar-
rels as the ice melted so that on arrival at destination they would
be about level full. The ice was broken up so that no lump was
larger than a hen’s egg, and fifty pounds per barrel were required.
A little over one-fourth of the ice was used in the lowest layer and
the remainder was divided equally between the upper ones. With
the icing above described the radishes reached market in good con-
dition without damage or loss.

MARKETING.

The crop harvested amounted to 169 dozen bunches of from
twelve to sixteen radishes per bunch, and four barrels were required
in packing them for shipment. Sales were made through commis-
sion houses at Kansas City and St. Louis, Mo., the best returns
being from a barrel of thirty-nine dozens. which netted $11.84, and

the smallest being from a barrel of forty-six dozens which netted -

$5.82.

 

22 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS.
One- Tenth Acre Yield Test of Radishes.
Date. Operations, etc. TllPe 0051;
required.
1903
Dec. 10 1 pound seed...................    ...................... .. $ .40
Depéo‘; 1O Drilling seed ............................................................. .. 40 minutes .... .. .07
Jan. 7 Cultivation, double wheel hoe .........  ................... .. 30 minutes  .0375
Jan. 14 Cultivation. single wheel hoe ................................. .. 20 minutes .... .. .0250
Jan. 18 Laying off rows forirrigation .................................. .. 30 minutes .... .. .0375
Jan. 20 Cultivation, double wheel hoe ................................. .. 30 minutes .... .. .0375
Jan. 18 1 man irrigating ..............  ...................................... .. 40 minutes .... .. .07
Jan 18 3000 gallons water at 4 cents per I000. ........................................ .. .12
Jan. 22 23 and 25, pulling radishes (75 cents per day labor). 16 hrs. 55 min. 1.268
Jan 2'.’ 23 and 25, washing and tying (75 cents per day labor). 22 hrs. 26 min. 1.6825
Jan 22 23 and 25. packing ($1.00 per day labor) .................... .. 1 hr. 45 min .... .. .175
4 second hand sugar barrels at 15 cents ........................................ .. .60
200 pounds ice at 5O cents per cwt .................................................... .. 1.00
2 balls twine at 4  ....................... .. .08
 ...................... .. $ 5.6037
Total net returns from sale of 4 barrels (169
dozen bunches)  39.27
Profit per one-tenth acre ............................... .. 33.67

 

REMARKS.

On the night of January 25th the experiment was brought to a
sudden termination by a freeze of sutficient severity to coat still
water with a quarter inch of ice. The remaining radishes on the
plat were pulled and it was estimated that about one and one-half
barrels (sixty-five dozens) had been destroyed.

THE VARIETY TEST.

The experience of truck growers shows the turnip rooted varie-
ties to be the most desirable for the Western markets, and of these
the Scarlet White Tipped is the most popular owing to its attract-
ive appearance. The results of this test of twenty-eight varieties
give no reason for departing from the established practice of grow-
ing the above named variety, but some interesting facts were ob-
tained as to the action of certain other sorts on our black, sandy
soil which may be of value as an acquisition to the truckers fund of
general information. ‘The Round Scarlet Chinese and the Icicle
are worthy of trial for the kitchen garden as they were of best table
quality. Of the long-rooted varieties all became pithy or hard and
woody before reaching suitable market size except Nos. 11, 15 and
22 of the following table. When a long-rooted sort is wanted for
market, Nos. 15 and 22 are most to be recommended. All of the
turnip-rooted varieties mature, as a rule, in from thirty to forty
days, depending on conditions of temperature and moisture. In
this test Nos. 2, 4, 5, 6, 14, 19 and 21 reached market maturity in
thirty-six days from planting.

In the following table bunches are estimated on a basis of twelve
to sixteen radishes of the turnip-rooted sorts and eight to twelve of
the half long and long.

ONIONS AND BUNCH ORoPs. 23

Variety Test of Radishes.

 

   

   

, .
r; += L ‘L rq B
2 E e g 5 2
S =~ a c 2g
2 Variety. Seedsman. Ebb '25 _ E§
E as at’? e8
m Q Q Z
1 Vicks Scarlet Globe .................. .. Wm. Henry Maule. Dec. 11, 1903 Jan. 18, 1904 36
2 New Lightning Scarlet Turnip... Wm. Henry Maule. Dec. 11, 1903 .Ian. 16, 1904 32
3 New Triumph ............................ .. Wm. Henry Manle. Dec. 11, 1903 Jan. 18, 1904 24
4 Early Scarlet Olive Shaped ...... .. Wm. Henry Maule. Dee. 11, 1903 Jan. 16. 1904 92
5 Early Round Dark Red ............. .. Wm. Henry Maule. Dec. 11, 1903 Jan. 16, 1904 110
6 Scarlet Turnip White Tipped S. A. McHenry ...... .. Dec. 11, 1903 Jan. 16, 1904 106
7 French Breakfast ...................... .. Plant Seed O0 ....... .. Dec. 11, 1903 Jan. 18, 1904 72
8 Early White Turnip .................. .. Plant Seed O0 ....... .. Dec. 11, 1908 Jan. 18, 1904 108
9 Early Half Long Bright French
Breakfast ................................ .. Plant Seed O0 ....... .. Dec. 11, 1903 Jan. 18,1904 66
10 Long White Spanish .................. .. Plant Seed Co ....... .. Dec. 11,1903 Feb. 26, 1904 100
11 Market Gardeners’ Long Scarlet. Plant Seed Oo ....... .. Dec. 11, 1903 Jan. 24, 1904 183 .
12 Round Scarlet Uhinese ............. .. Plant Seed O0 ....... .. Dec. 11, 1903 Feb. 2, 1904 140
13 Golden Dresden ..................... .. Plant Seed (Jo ....... .. Dec. 11, 1903 Jan. 20, 1904 68
14 Turnip Erfurt Dark Red ........ .. Plant Seed Co ....... .. Dec. 11, 1903 Jan. 16, 1904 53
15 Ohartier ................................... .. Plant Seed Co ....... .. Dec. 11,1903.lan. 24, 1904 115
16 Rose Colored Ohina...  Plant Seed O0 ....... .. Dec. 11, 1903 Feb. 15, 1904 108
17 California White Mammoth....... Plant Seed Oo ....... .. Dec. 11, 1903 Feb. 26, 1904 150
18 Icicle ........................................... .. Plant Seed O0 ...... .. Dec. 11, 1903 Jan. 20,1904 112
19 Turnip Scarlet Globe.... .  Plant Seed O0 ....... .. Dec. 11. 1903 Jan. 16, 1904 102
20 The Gem ............................... .. Plant Seed O0 ....... .. Dec. 11, 1903 Jan. 19, 1904 86
21 Turnip Non Plus Ultra ............. .. Plant Seed O0 ...... .. Dec. 11, 1903 Jan. 16, 1904 48
22 Early Short Top Long Scarlet... Plant Seed O0 ....... .. Dec. 11, 1903 Jan. 24,1904 180
23 Long Black Spanish .................. .. Plant Seed O0 ....... .. Dec. 11, 1903 Feb. 26, 1904 112
24 Turnip Triumph ....................... .. Plant Seed O0 ....... .. Dec. 11, 1903 Feb. 2,1904 30
25 Olive Shaped Deep Scarlet For-
cing .....................................  Plant Seed Co ....... .. Dec. 11, 1903 Feb. 2, 1904 68
26 Early Scarlet Turnip .... .. Plant Seed O0 ....... .. Dec. 11, 1903 Jan. 28, 1904 60
27 Round Black Spanish... .... .. Plant Seed O0 ....... .. Dec. 11, 1903 Feb. 26, 1904 65
28 Oardinal ..................................... .. Plant Seed Oo ...... .. Dec. 11, 1903 Jan. 28,1904 120

DESCRIPTIONS.

Vicks Scarlet Globe and New Lightniny.—Similar in size
shape and color; olive to roundishf color scarlet; flesh firm, and
mild in flavor; medium leaf growth.

New Triumph-Color white, white streaked with red, andyred;
of no value except as a novelty.

Early Scarlet Olive Shaped.—Oolor scarlet; roots from olive to
half long; quality poor, not desirable.

Early Round Dark Real-Color dark red; root roundish; flesh
firm; mild; medium leaf growth; good variety.

Scarlet Turnip White Tip-pedr-Color scarlet tipped with white ;
flesh firm and of good flavor; medium leaf growth; one of the best
and most desirable for market gardeners on account of attractive
appearance.

French Breakfast-Color bright red, tipped with white; roots
olive to obovate in shape and from one to two inches long; very at-
tractive in appearance, but becomes pithy before attaining market-
able size; flesh streaked with red.

Early White Turnip.—Oolor white; roots round; flesh firm and
mild; small leaf growth; splendid variety for anyone who desires
a white radish.

24 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS.

1n the lower part 0f illustration are Chartier and Long Scarlet Short Top, the
most desirable long rooted sorts. Upper left of illustration shows the half long,

White Icicle, a desirable white variety.
Center of illustration shows the Scarlet Turnip White Tipped, the most valu-

able market sort.
Upper right of illustration shows the New Triumph, an interesting novelty
owing to its peculiar markings of red and white.

ONroNs AND BUNCH Gnors. 25

Early Half Long Bright French Breahfast.—Similar to French
Breakfast.

Long White Spanish.——Color White; roots long and tapering;
flesh hard and woody; flavor strong; growth too slow in black land.

Market Gardeners’ Long Scarlet.——Color bright scarlet; flesh
firm and white, sometimes streaked with red; flavor mild; root
long and tapering with rather large leaf growth. One of the earli-
est and best long varieties for market.

Round Scarlet Chinese-The largest of the turnip-ropted vari-
eties; color scarlet; flesh very firm and mild; rank leaf growth;
leaf stems of a reddish brown color; one of‘ the best varieties for
the home garden, remaining a long time in edible condition.

Golden Dresden.-—Color dull. yellow; oblong in shape; flesh
white ; nutty flavor; sweet and crisp ; medium leaf growth; splendid
variety.

Turnip Erfurt Dark Red.—Color dark red; root roundish, flat-
tened on top; flesh firm, but of strong flavor; of no special value.

Chartier.—Light scarlet in color; roots from half long to long;
flesh white and firm; slightly pungent in flavor; medium to large
in size with rank leaf growth; very good variety.

Rose Colored Ohina.—-Color light scarlet to crimson; stump
rooted; flesh firm and of strong flavor; leaves and stem similar to
Round Scarlet Chinese; late variety and not desirable.

California White Marnrnoth..—Color white; long and tapering;
flesh hard and woody ; leaves large and coarse; not desirable.

I cicle.—Oolor white ; root half long; flesh firm and sweet;
small leaf growth; best half long white variety in the test.

Turnip Scarlet Globe.—Scarlet color; root roundish ; flesh white;
strong flavor; not desirable.

The Gem.-—Light scarlet in color, tipped with white; roots
roundish and rather small; evidently a poor strain of ‘Scarlet Tur-
nip White Tipped. ' '

Turnip Non Plus Ultra.——Color scarlet; inclined to olive shape;
flesh firm and of mild flavor; slender leaf growth; fairly good va-
riety, but remains but a very short while in edible condition.

Early Short Top Long Scarlet.—Similar in every respect to Mar-
ket Gardeners’ Long Scarlet.

Long Black Spanish.-—Color dark gray; root long and tapering;
strong flavored, with flesh hard and Woody ; not desirable.

Turnip Triumph.—Similar to Maule’s New Triumph; of no
value.

Oliue Shaped Deep Scarlet Forcing.-—Similar to Non Plus Ultra
in shape and color, but not of as good quality.

Early Scarlet Turnip-Bright scarlet color; globe shaped; qual-
ity good; flesh firm and mild; medium leaf growth; good variety.

Round Blach Spanish.—Similar to Long Black Spanish except
in shape; roots from two to three inches long; short taper.

Cardinal-Deep scarlet color; flesh streaked with red; strong
flavor; rank leaf growth; of no special value.

TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS.

 

View of the lettuce variety test.

IV. LETTUCE.

Variety and yield tests of lettuce were planned and started, but
owing to poor soil, lack of sufficient irrigation water, and injury
from white grubs, the latter failed and the variety test only is here
reported.

In selecting soil for this crop it is recommended that a choice be
made of land which has been under clean culture for at least two
years, as under such conditions White grubs are not likely to be
numerous. It may be further advised that the soil should be thor-
oughly enriched preferably with well-rotted barn lot manure, and
that abundant water should be supplied when needed, but not in a
manner that will bring it in contact with the lettuce leaves, as this
tends to induce rot.

THE VARIETY TEST.

On October 5th the land was broken with a single disc and later,
November 9th, rebroken with a turning plow and thoroughly har-
rowed. Bat guano at the rate of 500 pounds per acres was spread
broadcast November 19th, and worked in with a five-tooth culti-
vator. A preparatory irrigation at the rate of 27,000 gallons per
acre was given December 2d, and as a rain of 1.85 inches fell on
December 4th, the ground became so wet that planting was delayed
for a week. On the 10th of the month the soil was loosened with a
double shovel and pulverized with an Acme harrow, and on the

ONIONS AND BUNCH Onors. 27
following day seed was planted. in drills‘ seventeen inches apart.
On January 29, 1904, the plants were ‘thinned to eight and ten
inches apart in the rows. During the season of growth the plat
received four light irrigations, and was cultivated with wheel hoes
eight times. All varieties suffered from lack of water and insuffi-
cient fertility, and none of the plain-leaved varieties headed up
satisfactorily. The crinkled and loose sorts made the best heads,

and were slower to run to seed.

The Variety ’l'est of Lettuce.

e‘ f; a s. r
i’ s 9 a 2
S a > C. v 5 w:
é Variety. Seedsman. "5 _ ‘52 ‘5 a
o b0 we o“ ‘
E c: a r:
1 St Louis Market ......... .. Plant Seed Co ....... .. Dec. 11, 1903 Dec. 22, 1903 Mar. 12, 190-1
2 Iceberg ........................ .. Plant Seed Co ...... .. Dec. 11, 1903 "Dec. 19, 1903 Mar 15, 1904
3 Tennis Ball. ............... .. Plant Seed C0 ....... .. Dec. 11, 1903 Dec. 23, I903 Mar 4. 1904
4 Denver Market ............ .. Plant Seed Co ...... .. Dec. 11, 1903 Dec. 22, I903 Mar 17. 1904
5 P. 8.003s StandwelLm. Plant Seed O0 ....... .. Dec. 11, 1905 Dec. 25, 1903 War 17. 1904
6 Trocadero ................. .. Plant Seed Co ....... .. Dec. 11, 1903 Dec. 22, 1903 Mar 15. 1904
7 RoyalSummer Cabbage Plant Seed Co ....... .. Dec. 11, 1903 Dec. 19, 1903 Mar 1:), 1904
8 St. Louis Forcing ....... .. Plant Seed Co ....... .. Dec. 11, 1903 I)ec. 19, 1903 .................. ..
9 California Cream But- ,
ter  Plant Seed Co ....... .. Dec. 11,1903 Dec. 19,1903 Mar l7, 1904
10 Grand Rapids ............. .. Plant Seed Co ....... .. Dec. 11, 1903 Dec. 25, 1903 Feb. 15, 1904
11 Passion .................  Plant Seed O0 ....... .. Dec. 11, 1903 Dec. 23, 1903 ................... ..
12 Maule‘s Improved
Hanson ..................... .. Wm. Henry Maule. Dec. 11, 1903 Dec. 19, 1903 Mar 12, 1904
13 New York ................... .. Wm. Henry Maule. Dec. 11, 1903 Dec. 20, 1903 Mar l0, 1904
14 Maximum .................. .. Wm. Henry Maule" Dec. 11, 1903 Dec. 19, 1903 Mar 20. 1901
15 Maule’s New Rossette. Wm. Henry Maule. Dec. ll, 1903 Dec. 21,1903 Mar 15. 1904
16 Myer’s All Right ......... .. Wm. Henry Maule“ Dec. 11, 1903 Dec. 2%, 1903 Mar 15, 1901
17 Stubborn Seeder ......... .. Wm. Henry Maule. Dec. 11, 1903 Dec. 19,1903 Mar 17. 1904
18 Early Prize Head ....... .. Wm. Henry Maule. Dec. 11, 1902;; Dec. 19, 1903 Feb. 1o, 1904
19 Mammoth Salamander. Wm. Henry Maule. Dec. 11, 1903 Dec. 19, 1903  
20 Defiance Summer or < » Failed to
Perpignan ............... .. Wm. Henry ‘Maule. Dec. 11, 1903 germinate. .................. ..
21 Big Boston. S. A. McHenry ...... .. Dec. 11, 1903 Dec. 19.1903 Nlm Id, 1904
DESCRIPTIONS.

St. Louis Marlcet.——Heads of medium size with plain leaves;

light green in color, not wrapping closely over heads; quality poor,
inclined to be bitter; large per cent went to seed before forming
heads.

I ceberg.-—Heads of medium size; outside leaves curly and yellow
green in color with edges tinged with brown; crisp, and sweet in
flavor; leaves wrap well over head, protecting it from sun and
blanching it well in center; good loose-headed variety similar to
Maule’s Hanson.

Tennis Ball.—Small, solid heads of excellent quality; outer
leaves rather dark green, but white in center; slow to go to seed;
earliest variety in test. I ,

Denver Market.—Color yellowish green with wrinkled leaves.
Did not head up well. -

Plant Seed G0.’s Stwndwellr-This variety germinated to a poor
stand; seed was apparently mixed. ~ "l '

Tr0cader0.—-A splendid variety making good, large heads; color
pale green with plain leaves; crisp and sweet.

o

28 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS.

Royal Summer. Good cabbage variety making large, solid, fiat
heads with yellowish green leaves folding well over them; white in
center; crisp and of good flavor. . -

Si. Louis F0rcing.-—All went to seed before forming marketable
heads. ’

California Cream Butter.—Large solid heads; leaves yellowish
green; crisp and sweet; similar to Royal Summer. One of the best
plain-leaved cabbage heading varieties.

Grand Rapids.——Large leaf lettuce; pale green in color, with
wrinkled leaves; sweet and tender; good variety.

Passion.—Small heads; very small, dark green leaves; did not
head up well.

Mauleis Improved Hans0n.—Heads of good size, fairly solid;
crisp and sweet; color light yellowish green With leaves curled
around edges and folding well over heads; 100 per cent of this
variety reached market maturity.

New Y ork.—-Medium sized heads; tender and of excellent qual-
ity; leaves much wrinkled; very dark green in color; good variety.

Maasimum.-—Large, plain, coarse; dark green leaves; tough
and bitter; did not head well. '

Mauleis New Rossette.—Medium sized heads; pale green in color
and not very solid; tender and sweet; good variety.

Myeris All R-ight.—Similar to New Rossette; heads not quite as
large.

Stubborn Seeder.—Large, loose heads; medium green in color;
of good flavor and quality; slow to run to seed.

Early Prize H ead.—N ot a head lettuce as its name implies, but
a loose leaf variety forming a compact and very attractive bunch.
Leaves very much wrinkled, of a dark purplish green; of fine flavor
and texture and long standing quality. Splendid variety for the
table.

Mammoth SaZamander.—Leaves rather dark green with a bluish
cast; not over 1 per cent made marketable heads.

Defiance Summer or Perpignan.—-Failed to germinate.

Big Bost0n.—Good sized heads; yellowish green in color and one
of the largest cabbage headed varieties; fairly good quality.

V. CARROTS AND TURNIPS.

Tests of ten varieties of carrots and sixteen of turnips, and a
yield test of carrots came to grief from various reasons. Rico
birds destroyed the carrots as soon as the tops appeared above the
ground, thus bringing the experiments to an early close. Of the
sixteen varieties of turnips the Purple Top White Globe and the
White Dutch Strap Leaf are most to be recommended to the trucker
as of market value, although the Purple Top Flat Strap Leaf and
the Extra Early White Milan are very satisfactory.

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