220 STATE BOAllD OF AGRICULTURE. 



molliods of growiiijj^' jjirairii ni-o. lieconiiii**' iiioic yciuMMlly known and the 

 < Toj) is bcinji; jjrown more cxlcnsivcly. 



t^tccct Clover: lOij^lit connlit's r('[)oi-t assishuue j^ivcn in (he j^rowinj^" 

 of sweet clover. Wliere soil is well sn]>|)lie(l with lime and the seed is 

 inoculated, j;ood results are reported. The demonstrations include the 

 use of linu\ the treat inn' of seed, use of tlu^, clover as a ir!;reen manure crop, 

 for pasture, hay and seed. 



Vetch: Ten counties repoi-t demonstrations of the growing of vetch 

 for seed, hay or green manure. In some instances on the lighter soils 

 vetch and rye are being tried as a ])reparati()n for the groAving of alfalfa. 

 The agents have assisted in getting seed and cultures, and in inoculating 

 the seed. On some of the lighter soils lime and manure have been found 

 necessary for the best growtli of vetch, but Avhen these are used the vetch 

 has usually done well. 



Coio Peas: Five counties report demonstrations in the use of cow 

 peas for the light sandy lands. 



• f?oy Beans: There has been a very encouraging increase of interest 

 in the growing of soy beans. Fourteen County Agents report a large 

 amount of work on this legume; in some of the counties where soy bean 

 demonstrations have been in progress for three or four years they are 

 now grown extensively while in other counties the demonstrations have 

 been started more recently but the almost uniform success of these 

 demonstrations soon leads to a strong interest in this legume for the 

 various purposes for which it is used, such as soil-building, seed, hay, 

 pasture and silage. 



Land Clearing: In the Northern Peninsula laud clearing problems 

 are prominent and several of the agents have been giving attention to 

 these. In Iron county in April two demonstrations were held. The 

 Board of Supervisors attended one of these and as a result purchased 

 three machines to loan to the farmers. In June the agent gave parts 

 of IG days to demonstrations, about 25 acres being cleared under his di- 

 rection. More recently five stump blasting demonstrations were con- 

 ducted in Alpena county, eleven in Delta, twenty in Dickinson, and 

 eighteen in Marquette. 



Tree Planting: In five counties, in cooperation with the Department 

 of Forestry, through Mr. Mandenberg, work has been done toward the 

 reclamation of sandy areas by planting quick-growing trees. In Kalama- 

 zoo county blow sand ridges and other drift sand areas were so planted. 

 In Manistee county poplar plantings were made on sand dunes near 

 Manistee; pines will be planted between the poplars, later on. Several 

 basket willow demonstrations were started. Three plantings of forest 

 and ornamental trees were made. In Muskegon county demonstrations 

 of planting begun earlier in six townships, are all showing a good 

 growth. About 3,000 trees were ordered for this season. In Newaygo 

 county a planting demonstration Avas started on an area of very light 

 blow sand, with the object of eventuallj^ reforesting the Avhole section. In 

 Ottawa county 25,000 cuttings of willows and poplars were planted in 

 April ; this was done by the men of two townships working in groups, at 

 stated times. Later, fifteen acres of spruce and soft maple were planted 

 on three different tracts for Christmas trees and quick basket lumber 

 and as a demonstration in the utilization of waste lands. 



Drainage: The interest in drainage has continued to increase. 

 Methods and costs have been discussed at the institutes'", extension 



