24 EXPERIMEl^TAh FARMS. 



64 VICTORIA, A. 1901 

 EXPERIMENTS WITH SOJA BEANS. 



(Soja hispida.) 



Three plots of one-fortieth acre each were sown in rows, at different distances, 

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

 to secure the heaviest crops. The soil was a sandy loam of good quality. The pre- 

 vious crop was corn. After the corn was cut the land was ridged up with a double 

 tnould-board plough and left in ridges until the spring of 1900. The ridges were two 

 feet and a half apart. This land received a dressing of barn-yard manure, about 12 

 tons per acre, during the winter of 1898 and 1899. In the spring of 1900 the ground 

 was cultivated twice with a two-horse cultiA^ator and twice with smoothing harrow. 

 The beans were sown with a seed drill on May 22, and cut on September 13. 



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

 height 40 to 44 inches. The pods were well formed, but the beans were soft when the 

 crop was cut. Yield of green fodder, 10 tons 80 pounds per acre. 



Plot 2. — -Sown in rows 28 inches apart; growth strong and even, very leafy. 

 Average height 40 to 44 inches. The pods were well formed, the beans were full 

 grown and beginning to harden at time of cutting. Yield of green fodder, 12 tons 

 400 pounds per acre. 



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

 and woody. Average height 40 to 44 inches. The plants w<2re better podded than 

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

 valuable for fodder. Yield of green fodder, 10 tons 520 pounds per acre. 



EXPERIMENTS WITH HORSE BEANS. 

 (Faba vulgaris var. equina.) 



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 

 •crops. The land was adjoining that used for Soja beans, was similar in quality and 

 received the same treatment. The previous crop was corn. The beans were sown 

 with the seed drill; all the plots were sown on May 22 and cut Ssptember 13. The 

 plants were free from blight. 



Plot 1. — Sown in rows 21 inches apart. Growth strong, well podded. Height 42 

 to 46 inches, considerably lodged. The beans were nearly ripe when cut. Total yield, 

 9 tons 200 pounds per acre. 



Plot 2. — Sown in rows 28 inches apart. Growth strong and well podded. Height 

 45 to 49 inches. Plot all standing, stalks considerably stifFer than in plot No. 1. 

 The beans were nearly ripe when cut. Total yield, 8 tons 1,G80 pounds per acre. 



Plot 3. — Sown in rows 35 inches apart. Growth strong, well podded. Height 45 

 to 49 inches. Plot all standing, stalks stiff. The beans were nearly ripe when cut. 

 Total yield, 9 tons 1,760 pounds per acre. 



EXPERIMENTS WITH MILLETS. 



Seven varieties wore sown on plots of one-fortieth acre each. All were sown in 

 drills 7 inches apart. The soil was a sandy loam. The previous crop was corn. The 

 land receiving a dressing of barn-yard manure during the winter of 1898 and 1899. 

 After the corn was cut the land was drilled up in ridges 2* feet apart with a double 

 imould-board plough, and left in that state until tiae spring of 1900, when it was culti- 

 vated twice with a two-horse cultivator and twice with a smoothing harrow bofnre 

 sowing. The seed was sown with a Planet Junior seed drill, and all the varieties were 

 sown on May 23. The plots suffered from continuod wet weather, and made very slow 

 growth. These were all cut when the seed was in the doughy stage. 



