170 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



are planting- their general crop to improved varieties which made a 

 good showing in earlier tests. The department is getting into a much 

 better position to make recommendations as to choice of varieties for 

 different sections and different types of soil. In some sections, however, 

 the information on this point is still limited and there is a dearth of 

 seed corn of improved and adapted varieties. 



ROIUTION AND FERTILIZKR EXPERIMENT. 



The rotation and fertilizer exi)eriment which was started in field 

 in 1911 hns been continued as originally ])lanned. While the differences 

 between the different plots has not in all cases been great, they have 

 been sufficient in many cases to indicate strongly the value of the ex- 

 ]>eriment. After the courses have been repeated several times, some valu- 

 able object lessons should be had as to the use of manure and fertilizers 

 and the effect of tlie different crops upon each other. 



There are perhaps more variable factors in crop production than in 

 any other phase of agricultural work. Because of this fact and the 

 local nature of many of these problems it has not been thought best to 

 inaugurate at the Station extensive experiments in many lines of crop 

 production work. It is important, however, that these problems be 

 studied in different sections of the state by competent field men and 

 bulletins prepared which shall discuss various farm practices, methods 

 of culture, varieties, seed selection and other practical subjects. It is 

 hoped that provision may soon be made for taking up this work more 

 extensively than has been possible in the past. 



Respectfully submitted, 



V. M. SHOESMITH, 

 Farm Crops Experimentalist. 



East Lansing, Mich., June 30, 1913. 



REPORT OF THE SOIL PHYSICIST. 



Director R. S. Sha-w, East Lansing. Michigan. 



Dear Sir — During the year just closed no material changes have oc- 

 curred in the oj)eration of the Soils department. Dr. Bouyoucos has 

 carried forward his work in the investigation of the temperature of 

 soils. The results obtained will be embodied in Technical Bulletin 

 No. 17 now on the press. T am convinced that the results reported in 

 this bulletin will prove of botli interest and value t<^ the student of 

 soils. 



As the work of investigation has progressed other questions have 

 arisen which will call for fnrther investigation along these lines. Dr. 

 Bouyoncos left the college about the middle of June to spend a year in 

 advanced study in this country and abroad. On his return he will take 

 up and continue the work which he has thus temporarily dropped, ^fal 

 ters have been arranged, however, so that during his absence observa- 

 tions may be made and records kept of temperature variations under 

 various field and artificial conditions preparatory to the continuation of 

 the investigation woi-k on his i-efnrn. 



