202 



BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan., 



the securing of nitrogen from the air than the strains of these 

 organisms are that now exist in the fields. In other words, 

 these organisms, grown in rich soil, get lazy, and instead of 

 taking their supply from the air will take it directly from the 

 soil, but if they are put where there is no nitrogen for them 

 to feed upon except in the air all those so lazy that they will 

 not work perish, and only the ones that will work by active 

 eflfort will live. Improved strains have been developed which 

 have given very marked results in the increase which they 

 secure in the general crop. 



In speaking of the crops which are to be grown in the fall 

 in this section I will say that I believe that vetch, which is a 

 crop that has been introduced into this countr}^ more exten- 

 sively of late than before, will give satisfactory results as a 

 cover crop, or a crop for that purpose. I have seen some of 

 this vetch in the Connecticut Valley in two or three places this 

 fall, and where it is sown early enough it has produced a large 

 plant of fairly good size and developed a large tubercle on the 

 root of these nitrifying organisms. I believe this crop will 

 make a satisfactory addition to the number of green crops 

 and to the kinds of green crops which may be grown in this 

 latitude under these climatic conditions. It needs to be tested 

 further, however, before any statement can be made in regard 

 to its value. This, however, can be said, that it is not detri- 

 mental to the quality of the tobacco when used upon tobacco 

 fields, and it is one of the best fertilizing crops that we have. 

 It can be sown after the tobacco is harvested, will make a 

 vigorous growth in the fall, and comes up green and good in 

 the spring, so I think it can possibly be used quite beneficially 

 by tobacco growers, either alone, or with rye. 



I think these are along the lines of the most important 

 practical work, the most important lines of practical work, we 

 are taking up in the department. 



I wish to add that the work we have been doing in tobacco 

 bids fair to give us more practical results than the work on 



