320 



EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



7-8 EDWARD VII., A. 1908 



Mammoth Red Clover has been grown with fair success, but it is too coarse to be 

 desirable. 



The many experiments with Alsike have not been very encouraging, excepting in 

 one plot where it was sown with Timothy. This plot has done so well and has given 

 such excellent hay that I would recommend farmers to try it. However, it is not safe 

 to base conclusions on one single experiment, hence only small plots should be risked. 



The results of four careful experiments with Common Hed clover, extending over 

 three or four years in each case, have been decidedly gratifying. In each case the seed 

 has been sown without a nurse crop and upon spring ploughed stubble. The weeds 

 were mown twice during the summer and left on the ground as a mulch. Care was 

 taken to have enough clover standing in the fall to hold a snow cover. In estimating 

 the average yield, I take into consideration the first year, when no crop was harvested, 

 as well as the following years, when hay was gathered, and these four experiments 

 show an average of 3,060 lbs. per year of excellent feed. This is probably as profit- 

 able as any crop v»^e can grow. 



The results of four experiments with Alfalfa have been yet more encouragiug. 

 With land in good heart, a fine and solid seed bed, about 25 lbs. of seed to the acre, 

 there has not been a failure. One small plot, on light, wind-swept upland, with 

 gravel subsoil, was killed the first winter. No snow lay on this. A bare plot of an 

 acre was partially killed last winter. This will be disced and re-sown in the spring, 

 in the hope that the weak spots may be restored. 



The average yield from the four experiments, counting the seeding year as above, 

 has been 3,400 lbs. per year. Analysis shows that nothing makes better feed, for cattle 

 especially. It should be cut when the blossoms first appear If left later it is too woody. 

 In harvesting, handle carefully and as little as possible. The leaves, which are the 

 best feed, are easily broken off. We would strongly advise every farmer to try a small 

 plot. 



The value of clovers in adding materially to the fertility of the soil is an element 

 of great importance. Not only do they add much directly to the soil, but they also add 

 value to the manure. 



EXPERIMENTS WITH MILLETS. 



Six varieties were tested, in one-twentieth acre plots, on black sandy loam, sum- 

 mer-fallowed. They were all sown June 5 and harvested September 5. 



The Common and Hungarian make excellent feed for cattle, but should be fed 

 sparingly to horses. 



When the head is well formed millet should be cut with the binder, in small 

 sheaves, and cured in the stock. 



While the Common and Hungarian make a large quantity of excellent hay, the 

 others are too coarse. 



Experiments with Millets. 



Variety. 



Hungarian ....... 



Italian 



Common . 



Wliitc Round French 



Algerion 



P€'arl 



Description. 



Fine quality. . 



Coarse 



Fine quality . . 



Coarse 



Very coarse. . . 

 'Coarse , 



Inches. 



41 

 5.3 

 40 

 48 

 76 

 52 



Stage when C\;t. 



Fully headed 

 yV headed . . 

 Nearly ripe. . 

 Nearly ripe , 



f headed 



Not headed . 



Hay per Acre 



6 



6 

 4 

 4 



4 

 .3 



Tens. Lb.«. 



i,iro 



120 



i.sro 



1 7^0 



1,2)0 

 1,2) J 



