334 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



with very satisfactory results. It is expected that this kihi will be 

 in full operation before the end of the present alfalfa season. The 

 resuKs thus far obtaiiUMl are promising and arc of interest especially 

 to alfalfa growers in humid regions. The relative palatability of 

 kiln-dried hay as compared with ordinary hay will be determined 

 before these investigations are finished. 



Farm practice in the use of commercial fertilizers. — During 

 the past year Mr. J. C. Beavers has continued his work in the study 

 of farm practice in the use of commercial fertilizers along the lines 

 indicated in the report for last year. This work has been completed 

 for the South Atlantic States and the results have been published in a 

 Farmers' Bulletin. 



Production of forage for lwe stock. — Mr. J. S. Cotton has con- 

 tinued his studies of farm practice in the production of forage for live 

 stock. His recent investigations have revealed important changes in 

 the methods used by farmers in beef- feeding sections. These changes 

 have been made necessary by the increased price of grain. Feeders 

 are now^ using much larger quantities of hay and silage and making 

 corresponding changes in their cropping systems. There is also a 

 larger use of bluegrass pastures than formerly, because of the chea,p- 

 ness of making gains on good pastures. 



A careful stud}^ has been made of methods of pasture management 

 and of the resulting effects on the production of forage on pasture 

 lands, especially in the New England States. The pastures have been 

 found to be greatly denuded. In many places they have been rendered 

 practically worthless for pasture purposes. It is believed that the 

 principal causes of these conditions are (1) that cattle are turned 

 upon the pastures too early in the spring, and (2) that too many cattle 

 are kept on a given area. The grasses are thus unal)le to make a vig- 

 orous growth and have no opportunity to store up energy in the fall 

 of the year for growth in the spring. This treatment, long continued, 

 has killed out most of the good pasture grass, and as a result weeds 

 have taken its place. It is probable from the information we have 

 obtained that it would require 10 acres of average New England pas- 

 ture to support one cow five months. The solution of this important 

 problem is being sought in the experience of the relatively few farmers 

 ■who have maintained their pastures in good condition. Experiments 

 on certain points of pasture management have been recommended to 

 the State experiment stations and to the Office of Forage-Crop Inves- 

 tigations of this Bureau. 



Cassava in\t:stigations. — Cassava investigations have continued 

 during the past 3'ear as in former years, in charge of Mr. S. M. Tracy, 

 Special Agent. Cassava is ordinarily propagated from cuttings of 

 the stem or canes. To keep these canes over winter in the Gulf Coast 

 region has proved to be a difficult matter. During a recent severe 

 winter the crop was almost exterminated in that region by the loss of 

 the canes during the winter season. TVTiat seems to be a satisfactory 

 method of keeping these canes has been discovered and practiced for 

 the past three winters b_v ISIr. Tracy. This method will be published 

 in the near future. In former reports the fact has been mentioned 

 that efforts are being made to produce varieties of cassava that can 

 be j)ropagated from seed. These efforts have been successful. 



