328 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



these farmers, and it has been found that the crop is eminently adapted 

 to rotation farniin<i^ where the soil is suitable and that it prochices hay 

 of liigh quality. 



NORTHERN FARM-MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS. 



The farm-management work in the Northern States has continued 

 in charge of Mr. C. B. Smith, Agriculturist. As in the South, special 

 attention has been given to the improvement of cropping systems fol- 

 lowed by the farmers. Many improved cropping systems have been 

 devised and put into operation with resulting benefit to the farmer. 

 These cropping systems have become centers of interest for communi- 

 ties needing instruction in farming. In several instances farm-man- 

 agement associations have been organized in order that the demon- 

 stration work might reach larger numbers of individuals than is pos- 

 sible wdthout such organizations. 



Demo>'stration work in New York and New England. — On the 

 hilly lands of southern New York, which have been exhausted by un- 

 wise systems of management, demonstration work has been conducted 

 during the past year. On many farms good crops have been grown 

 by the farmers under the direction of experts representing jointly the 

 agricultural department of Cornell University and the United States 

 Department of Agriculture. It has been determined both by experi- 

 ment and by the study of farm practice that by the application of 

 sufficient lime clover can be grown on these depleted soils. With 

 good tillage and good seed large crops of potatoes have been grown 

 under our direction where formerly this crop was altogether unprofit- 

 able. Varieties of corn have been introduced which grow success- 

 fully on these hills where corn has not been gi'own before. 



In certain parts of the State of Maine enormous quantities of com- 

 mercial fertilizers are used. Many farmers buy ready-mixed ferti- 

 lizers when it is known that by buying the ingredients separatelj?^ and 

 mixing them on the farm a large saving can be effected. During the 

 3'ear demonstration work on the home mixing of fertilizers has been 

 conducted, not less than 1,200 persons being present at the demon- 

 strations. This w^ork has been done in cooperation with the Univer- 

 sity of Maine. 



Clover management. — One of the most important discoveries made 

 in the study of farm practice in the Northern States during the past 

 year relates to methods of management of clover in corn-belt rota- 

 tions. The results of this study will be given in a bulletin soon to 

 be published. The evidence accumulated indicates that, in many 

 regions at least, the failure of the clover seeding is due to the fact 

 that the soil easily bakes and forms a crust on the surface, which kills 

 the young clover plants soon after germination. This condition of 

 the soil is believed to be due mainly to a lack of sufficient humus. 

 Many instances have been found where good catches of clover have 

 been obtained by means of a mulch of straw, leaves, manure, etc., 

 which prevents the formation of a soil crust. 



Crops for cut-over lands. — In the northern part of the States of 

 AVisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota there are large areas of cut-over 

 lands which are now being brought under cultivation. Much of this 

 land is sandy and the ordinary methods practiced on loam and clay 



