xxvi Report of the Agriculturist. 



we may thus add to the Hst of our valuable nitrogen-gathering 

 leguminous plants. 



In the spring of 1896, one thousand white ash seedlings were 

 set in the University woodland. These seedlings were pur- 

 chased and set at a total cost of only two cents each. From 

 seventy-five to eighty per cent, of them are now living and 

 making good growth. The result of this experiment so far 

 would indicate that much of the hilly land unfit for cultivation 

 could far more profitably be devoted to forestry. 



Many causes have combined to awaken an interest in the 

 manufacture of beet sugar. This department is conducting ex- 

 tensive experiments to determine whether the beets can be 

 profitably grown in this State, what system of tillage is best^ 

 and what fertilizers are required to give the highest per cent, 

 of sugar. Beet seed, with directions for planting the same and 

 caring for the product, have been sent to over three hundred 

 farmers who are co-operating in the experiment. The work 

 with sugar beets at the home grounds this year is mainly in 

 determining what fertilizers give best results both as to yield, 

 sugar content and purity. 



The work of the Division is largely confined to lines of in- 

 vestigation which are practical in their nature, and an attempt 

 is being made not only to discover new truths but to emphasize 

 and enforce old ones, and to show plainly that success in agri- 

 culture depends largely upon improved practices and methods 



of tillage. 



Respectfully submitted, 



L. A. Clinton, 



Assistant Agriculturist. 



