306 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



volving the use of green manures and proper rotations will not only 

 increase profits on the farm, but will maintain soil fertility more 

 cheaply than is being done by present methods. A study is also 

 being made of the cropjiing systems that have been developed in 

 that i)ortion of the Columbia I5asin lying close to the boundary line 

 between Washington and Idaho. Special attention is given to the 

 methods used in growing legumes in rotation. It is expected that 

 the results of this study will be ready for publication at the end of 

 this season. The stiKly of cropping systems on farms on which 

 sugar beets are grown commercially has been continued, with the 

 result that in various localities certain rotations have been worked 

 out. 



In connection with these studies cooperation is had with the agro- 

 nomic offices of the bureau in the solution of agronomic problems in 

 their territory. One of the most important lines of work conducted 

 in cooperation with other offices is that of the more general introduc- 

 tion of leguminous crops as a means of soil improvement and as 

 feed for li^•e stock, particularly in the South. A study of the most 

 practicable method of improving worn-out pastures has been com- 

 menced in cooperation with the experiment stations of Maine, Massa- 

 chusetts, and New York, as well as the Office of Forage-Crop Investi- 

 gations of this bureau. In the north-central tier of States coopera- 

 tive experiments are being conducted to determine the varieties of 

 corn best suited to rotation in the northern sections and the value 

 of hairy vetch as a green manure and catch crop on the sandy lands 

 of that region. In Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois better methods of 

 seeding clover and its use in rotations in the corn belt have been 

 worked out and a joint bulletin has lately been issued from the Ohio 

 station. During the coming year work will be taken up in the 

 southern portions of these States looking to the more extended use 

 of cowpeas and so}^ beans in rotation with wheat and corn. 



Another important type of study under this general heading is that 

 of the system and methods employed on successful farms. Many 

 of the more important problems confronting the farmer have already 

 been solved by individual farmers, and the experience of these suc- 

 cessful men is gleaned for the benefit of the less successful. A num- 

 ber of bulletins have been issued describing in detail the methods em- 

 ployed by some of the most successful farmers in the country. These 

 bulletins have a ver}^ wide circulation and are in great demand. It 

 is planned to continue work of this kind until the principal details 

 of all the more important types of farming in all sections of the 

 country have been covered. 



Another feature of the work relating to farm practice is the mak- 

 ing of working plans for farms, the aim of this work being to deter- 

 mine in a general way systems adapted to various sections of the 

 country. The demand for these j)lans is greater than the ability of 

 the office to supply. 



A reconnoissance has just been made of the Ozark region and a 

 comprehensive report is noAv on file in the office. A similar survey 

 of what was formerly Indian Territory is now under way and a 

 report will be placed on file at the end of this season's work. Some 

 of the more pressing problems revealed by these reports will be made 

 special subjects for study. 



