336 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Chestnuts. 



Of these, the Paragon is far ahead of anything on trial on account 

 of its productiveness and early-bearing tendencies. Comfort is fully as 

 large and of the same quality but is not as productive and is much 

 slower in coming into bearing. From the behavior and quality of the 

 Japan chestnuts they could scarcely be recommended for commercial 

 purpose but they make handsome, dwarfish trees and bear early. 



COVER CROPS. 



A number of plots were sown in August, 1904, and duplicate plots 

 were sown by Messrs. George E. Chatfield and Frank Warner. The 

 amount of the seed of the oats and barley was cut down one-half when 

 the clovers were sown with them, while in the others the full amount 

 was used whether sown alone or mixed. 



The plots contained one-fourth acre each. 



Plot 1, Barley 1/2 bushel. 



Plot 2, Barley 14 bushel, crimson clover 1. quart. 



Plot 3, Barley 14 bushel, mammoth clover 1 quart. 



Plot 4, Oats 1/2 bushel. 



Plot 5, Oats 14 bushel, crimson clover 1 quart. 



Plot 6, Oats 1/4 bushel, mammoth clover 1 quart. 



Plot 7, Crimson clover 2 quarts. 



Plot 8, Mammoth clover 2 quarts. 



Plot 9, Sand vetch 6 quarts. 



In addition to the clovers, oats were sown upon one-half of Plots 7, 

 8 and 9. Plots 2, 3, 5 and 6 gave fairly good results but were not as 

 strong as Plots 1, 4 and 7, 8 and 9. The Mammoth clover made a little 

 the best growth of the two clovers, but Crimson clover made a much 

 better growth than in 1903 and 1904, as it lived through the winter in 

 good shape. Barley also made a better growth than oats, although both 

 did well in the fall and for cover-crop purposes alone, are the best we 

 have ever tested, with barley in the lead. The halves of Plots 7 and 8 

 which were sown to oats and clover were superior to the other halves 

 which did not have the oats, and when a leguminous crop is wanted to 

 turn under in the spring, the clovers as shown in Plots 7 and 8, with 

 oats or barley, can be highly recommended and in a three years' test 

 have given the best results. Mammoth clover is the best of the clovers 

 for this purpose. Sand Vetch gave good results but should have the 

 barley grown with it. It is especially adaj)ted to high, sandy places 

 where the clovers are hard to get started and in old orchards where 

 a: great deal of tramping is necessary in harvesting the fruit. 



At Mr. Warner's, Plots 7, 8 and 9, with the oats sown with clover, 

 did the best. No difference was noticeable this season between the 

 growth of Mammoth and Crimson clovers at plowing time and there 

 was an equal stand with both. Vetch did well but seed is high-priced. 

 Mr. Warner likes oats better than barley. Barley seed is not only 

 higher in price, but oats are easier to get and are often grown on the 

 farm. 



