24 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



2-3 EDWARD VII., A. 1903 

 EXPERIMENTS WITH SOJA BEANS. 



Three plots of one-foi'tieth acre each were sown in rows at different distances apart, 

 viz. : 21, 28 and 35 inches, to gain information as to the best distance for sowing to 

 secure the heaviest crops. The soil was a light sandy loam, which received a dressing 

 of barn-yard manure during the winter of 1899 and 1900 of about 12 tons per acre. 

 The previous ci*op was millet. After the millet was cut, the land was ploughed late 

 in the autumn to the depth of about seven or eight inches, and left in that condition 

 until the following spring, Avhen it was cultivated once with a two-horse cultivator and 

 twice with a smoothing harrow. The beans were sown with a seed drill on May 14, and 

 cut on September 24. 



Plot 1. — Sown in rows 21 inches apart; growth strong and even, leafy; average 

 height 30 to 35 inches. The pods were well formed, but the beans were soft when the 

 crop was cut. Total yield of green crop 9 tons 80 lbs. per acre. Yield of beans 12 

 bushels per acre. 



Plot 2. — Sown in rows 28 inches apart ; growth strong and leafy ; average height 

 30 to 35 inches. Plot all standing, stalks considerably stiffer than in plot No. 1. The 

 pods were well formed, but the beans were soft when cut. Total yield of green crop 10 

 tons 1,200 lbs. per aci-e. Yield of beans 14 bushels 40 lbs. per acre. 



Plot 3. — Sown in rows 35 inches apart ; growth strong and even, leafy ; stems 

 hard and woody ; average height 35 to 39 inches. The plants were better podded than 

 those in plots 1 or 2, and the beans were harder when cut, but the plant was less valu- 

 able for fodder. Total yield of green crop 9 tons 1,840 lbs. per acre. Yield of beans 

 10 bushels 40 lbs. per acre. 



EXPERIMENTS WITH HORSE BEANS. 



Three plots of one-fortieth acre each were sown in rows 21, 28 and 35 inches apart 

 to gain information as to the best distance for sowing to secure the heaviest crop. The 

 land was adjoining that used for soja beans, was similar in quality and received the 

 same treatment. The previous crop was millet. The beans were sown with the seed 

 drill. All the plots were sown on May 14, and cut on September 22. 



Plot 1. — Sown in rows 21 inches apart; growth strong, well podded; height 48 to 

 52 inches, crop all standing. The beans were nearly ripe when cut. Total yield 7 tons 

 800 lbs. per acre. Yield of beans 37 bushels 20 lbs. per acre. 



Plot 2. — Sown in rows 28 inches apart ; growth very strong and well podded ; 

 height 49 to 53 inches, crop all standing, stalks considerably stiffer than in plot No. 1. 

 The beans were nearly ripe when cut. Total yield 8 tons 160 lbs. per acre. Yield of 

 beans 34 bushels 40 lbs. per acre. 



Plot 3. — Sown in rows 35 inches apart ; growth strong, medium and well podded ; 

 height 49 to 53 inches, crop all standing, stalks stiff. The beans nearly ripe when 

 cut. Total yield 7 tons 1,600 lbs. per acre. Y^ield of beans 30 bushels 40 lbs. 



EXPERIMENTS WITH MILLETS. 



Nine varieties of millet were sown on plots of one-fortieth acre each in drills seven 

 inches apart. The soil was a light sandy loam. The previous crop was soja beans. The 

 land received a dressing of barn-yard manure during the winter of 1899 and 1900 of 

 about twelve tons per acre. After the beans were cut the land was ploughed to the 

 depth of seven or eight inches, and left in that conditioQ until the following spring, 

 when it was cultivated once with a two-hox"se cultivator and twice with a smoothing 

 harrow before sowing. The seed was sown with a Planet Junior seed drill, and all the 

 varieties were sown on May 14. These were all cut when the seed was in the doughy 

 state. 



