400 



FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 



PLANTS THAT SUCCEEDED. 



After this list of failures and partial successes but little removed from 

 failure, it is pleasant to speak of the plants that did succeed, and that give 

 promise of usefulness even under the severe climatic conditions of last 

 season. 



A wag living in a place distinguished for breachy stock said they needed 

 a fence ie horse-high, bull-strong and pig-tight." Plants of similar robust- 

 ness of constitution seemed to be required for these plains. I name these 

 plants in the order of their success: Winter vetch, spurry, mammoth clover, 

 alfalfa, June clover, Hungarian grass, white turnips, lupins, white clover, 

 millet and perennial rye grass. 



You are familiar with many of these plants and I need not speak of their 

 value as forage plants. But the vetch, spurry and alfalfa are not so familiar, 

 and I will call your attention to their value by comparing their composition 

 with that of red clover cut in blossom. The figures for vetch and spurry 

 are from analyses of the plants grown on the experimental farm, and you 

 will note how they compare with the red clover in best condition for hay. 



COMPOSITION AND FEEDING VALUE. 



* All plants cut in blossom. 



You will observe that the vetch and spurry resemble clover in feeding 

 quality, and are superior to Timothy hay. 



To give some idea of the amount and rapidity of growth, plants taken 

 from these fields, of two and three months growth, were shown at the State 

 Fair in Jackson. One very conscientious ex-member of the legislature from 

 Lenawee county, after carefully looking over these plants, said to me con- 

 fidentially : "Doctor, you need not make such a fuss over these plants. I 

 can raise just as good crops on my prairie land in Lenawee county!" 



The seeds for these experiments I obtained from D. M. Ferry & Co., of 

 Detroit, A. Dickinson, of Chicago, J. M. Thorburn & Co., of New York, 

 and some were imported from Paris. I also furnished Prof. Beal a supply 

 for his experimental stations in Oscoda, Harrison and Walton. I am 

 importing other kinds, and looking for any plant that promises to be of" 

 service iu this soil and climate, believing this question to be of first impor- 

 tance. 



