286 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



some are quite elaborate, but owing to the fact that some of them are 

 being conducted cooperatively on privately owned farms most of them 

 are simple in nature. 



2. Investigations of the value, nature and duration of the residuary 

 effects of several forms of vegetable matter when applied to soils of 

 different textures. 



3. A study of the changes in the crop producing power and the pliysico- 

 chemico-biological properties of soils long under cultivation. 



4. The immediate and residuary effects of soluble salts on the pliysical 

 and chemical properties of soils. 



5. Translocation of soluble salts in soils and its relation to llic ainoiiiit, 

 time and manner of application. 



6. Field and laboratorj^ investigations of peat and muck soils. 



These investigations include temperature changes, moisture relation- 

 ships, depth and natvn-e of the sul^soil, and fertihzer and cultural methods. 



I desire to emphasize the fact that the members of the staff" are greatly 

 handicapped because of insufficient funds. You are aware of the fact 

 that several neighboring states make larger appropriations for work 

 of this nature than docs the commonwealth of Michigan. This is riot 

 as it should be inasmuch as our soil problems are far more diverse and 

 numerous than are those in the states to which I refer. We should establish, 

 as several other states, experimental farms in the different regions of the 

 state so that the work may be controlled ami w^atched by the farmers who 

 own land in them. Of course, these should be as permanent as the agri- 

 culture in the region, or should be continued indefinitely. We, as members 

 of the Experiment Station force, are very desirous of seeing this brought 

 about and shall not feel that we are performing our full measure of duty 

 to the agricultural interests of the State until conditions are such that it 

 can be done. 



I desire to commend to you tlie splendid spirit that Messrs. Alillai-, 

 (irantham, Spurway, Wheeting and Simpson have manifested while per- 

 forming their arduous duties during this, an exceptionally trjdng year. In 

 fact the success of our organization has been due in a large measure to 

 this spirit and to permanency of the personnel. Each of us is grateful to 

 you for your support during the year. 



Respectfully submitted, 



M. M. McCOOL, 



East Lansing, Mich, June 30, 1919. 



Soil Phvsicist. 



REPORT OF THE FARM CROPS SECTION. 



Director R. S. Shaw, East Lansing, Mich. 



My Dear Sir — I submit herewith a report of the Farm Crops section 

 for the year ending June 30, 1919. 



The first half of this period was a time of intense war activity, and the 

 last half marked the beginning of a period of readjustment along agricul- 

 tural lines. The Farm Crops section was burdened with problems and 

 difficulties of an unusual nature in addition to its usual duties. An un- 

 usually large correspondence developed relative to experimental work 

 bearing on the war and readjustment problems of the State. Fortunately, 



