DAIRY AND SEED IMPROVEMENT MEETINGS. l8l 



clean cultivation resulted in freeing the field from this weed 

 pest. Immediately before planting the soil was disked with a 

 double action cutaway harrow, going lengthwise and then cross- 

 wise of the field. Following this spike tooth harrows were 

 used to smooth and level the ground in preparation for the 

 seed. At the time of plowing 5 1-2 cords of manure were put 

 on each acre and at the time of seeding 900 lbs. of a fertilizer 

 containing 3.3 per cent, of nitrogen, 10 per cent, of available 

 phosphoric acid and 7 per cent of potash were applied to the 30 

 one-tenth acre plots in the variety tests of this year. 



In 191 1 the variety tests of oats were carried out on land 

 Avhich produced potatoes in the season of 1910. This land was 

 plowed in the fall of 1910 and at that time eight cords of 

 manure were added. This was thoroughly disked in. In the 

 spring of 191 1 the ground was again disked by means of cuta- 

 way harrows, the harrowing being done crosswise and length- 

 wise of the field. To smooth and level the field spike tooth 

 harrows were used. At the time of seeding, fertilizer analyzing 

 4 per cent, of nitrogen, 8 per cent, phosphoric acid and 7 per 

 cent, of potash was applied broadcast at the rate of 500 lbs. 

 per acre. As in the year 19 10, seed and fertilizer were sown by 

 means of a grain drill. 



In 1912 each variety of oats was planted in duplicate, one 

 tenth-acre plot being sown in field 4A in the north half of the 

 farm and its duplicate in field 4B in the southwest half. Field 

 4B being better drained was ready for seeding before field 4A. 

 Field 4B produced potatoes in 191 1 and in preparation for the 

 oat variety tests was plowed in the fall of that year. Before 

 planting this field was thoroughly harrowed twice, once length- 

 wise and once crosswise with cutaway harrows. Then smooth- 

 ing and levelling of the land was accomplished by using spike 

 tooth harrows. The soil is a medium loam, one which works 

 up in excellent shape, becoming mellow and finely pulverized. 

 Such preparation makes a splendid seed bed. This field is 

 naturally well drained, having a good slope, so that no water 

 stands on the surface. 



Field 4A is not as quickly drained as field 4B and as a result 

 could not be harrowed and seeded until nearly three weeks 

 later. This field comprises practically the same soil conditions 

 as field 4B. This field was harrowed three times with spring- 



