EXPERIMENT STATION REPORTS. 189 



Last summer we started a study of natural reproduction of hardwoods on 

 cut-over lands in the northern part of the State. A number of sample plots 

 were established on burned-over land under various conditions and it is 

 hoped to continue this work next j'ear, at the same time remeasuring the 

 plots that were put in last summer. 



A number of minor projects were also carried on during the year, such as 

 studies of methods of preventing the damping off of coniferous seedlings in 

 the first year seed beds, the tolerance of hemlock transplants with a view to 

 their use for underplanting hardwood stands, and studies of the control of 

 the form of trees. The work has progressed very satisfactorily. 



Respectfully submitted, 



A. K. CHITTENDEN, 



Forester. 

 East Lansing, Michigan, June 30, 192L 



REPORT OF THE FARM CROPS SECTION. 



Director R. S. Shaw, 

 East Lansing, Michigan. 



Dear Director Shaw: 



The placing of more land at the disposal of this section has enabled us to 

 jindertake many new projects and to increase the size of fields, planted to new 

 and improved crops varieties, for increase purposes. 



The varietal testing and improvement work under the direction of Professor 

 F. A. Spragg, assisted by Mr. E. E. Down, has made great advancement. In 

 addition to the great range of crops previously handled, improvement work 

 with potatoes and wax beans has been undertaken. 



Professor Spragg's accompanying letter reports the progress in plant breed- 

 ing work in detail. 



The comparative test of short season hay crops, such as millets, sudan grass, 

 soybeans, sorghum, etc., is in its third year and sufficient data will be available 

 for the issuance of the Experiment Station ])ublication after the coming year's 

 results are determined. Professor C. R. Megee is in direct charge of this 

 experiment, also the work with soybeans. 



In cooperation with Dr. R. S. Snyder of the Bacteriology department. 

 Professor Megee carried on a demonstration of effective inoculation of soy- 

 beans with proper culture. At this time the half of the field of one and one- 

 half acres, which was inoculated, carries a vigorous growth of soys, deep 

 green in color. The other half of the field is of a light yellow color and shows 

 much less vigorous growth. 



The tests of alfalfa and clover varieties were greatly enlarged by an arrange- 

 ment with Mr. J. W. Nicolson of the Farm Bureau Seed department, who fur- 

 nished samples of the numerous alfalfa varieties purchased in the west by the 

 seed department of the Farm Bureau for distribution in Michigan. 



Dr. A. J. Pieters, in charge of clover investigations of the U. S. D. A., also 

 furnished us Avith numerous samples of foreign and native grouTi alfalfas and 

 clovers. 



An increase of five and one-half acres of Hubam clover was planted for seed 

 purposes, and an extensive experiment begun in order to test the value of 



