REPORT OF AGRICULTURIST. 



To the Director' of the Cornell University Agricultural Experi- 

 ment Station : 



Sir. — The principal lines of work which are now under investi- 

 gation by this division are a continuation of the tillage experiments 

 with potatoes ard sugar beets ; variety experiments with sugar beets 

 and beans ; comparison of forage crops with reference to their 

 adaptability to withstand drought ; renovation of pastures, and fer- 

 tilizer experiments with various farm crops. A part of the series 

 of permanent plats which has been cropped continuously for several 

 years without the application of any fertilizers has now become so 

 deficient in humus that the producing power is greatly reduced. 

 An experiment has now been planned and started looking toward 

 the restoration to fertility of this land by means of cover crops and 

 green manuring. While it could be quickly brought into condition 

 by means of fertilizer or manures, the purpose is to take a crop from 

 the land each year and bring it up by means of '' catch crops." In 

 carrying out tliis experiment an acre of land has been taken on a 

 neighboring farm, that being purposely selected which was in a 

 very low state of fertility. This acre has been divided into three 

 areas, and various means have been adopted looking toward its 

 improvment. 



The use of silage is rapidly displacing soiling crops. A constantly 

 increasing number of inquiries are being received asking for infor- 

 mation concerning the construction of silos and the growth of crops 

 suited for ensilage. That these inquiries may be answered correctly 

 investigations are being conducted to determine the necessary losses 

 of dry matter in silos of various construction, and also to determine 

 the relative value of various crops for ensilage. 



During the winter feeding experiments were conducted with 

 steers, the object being to determine the relative feeding value of 



xxi 



