88 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



roots subjected first to a test in a solution of common salt, generally a ten 

 per cent solution. All the beets that floated in this solution were rejected. 

 Those that sank were tested by boring a half-inch hole diagonally through 

 the center of the beet from above downward. The core thus obtained 

 was tested by the polariscope. The few beets which tested 19 per cent or 

 above were set apart for a special plot. Next, those between 16.5 per 

 cent anri 19 per cent were set out in another plot and finally those testing 

 above 10 per cent in a third j^lot. Tliese plots were separated from each 

 other to prevent cross fertilization. A record is kept of the pedigree of 

 each beet and in some cases a record also of the form of the root and top. 

 Sufficient seed Avill be produced in 1905 to make a somewhat extended 

 test of it in comparison with imported seed. 



The work on the Davenport plots still continues. The rotation experi- 

 ment is peculiarly interesting and will reach definite conclusion in each of 

 the next four years. It will be remembered that one series of these plots 

 has been devoted to a test of the influence of rotation upon the yields and 

 upon the fertility of the soil. It will be out of place in this report to men- 

 tion some of the very interesting indications. Another series of plots is 

 devoted to a comparison of fertilizers singly and in combination on yields 

 and on the composition of the soil. It is proposed that beginning next 

 winter all of the plots be planted to corn, the next year to oats, the third 

 to wheat, and the fourth to clover, and that the appearance and yields of 

 these crops be the guide as to the final effect of the rotations or the fer- 

 tilizers, s j.m 



The work in selecting improved strains of wheat was roughly interrupted 

 by the adverse climatic conditions of 1903 and 1904. The work, however, 

 is being continued, aimed to develop strains with better milling quality 

 and giving better yields. In this connection samples of wheat of known 

 origin were sent to a good many farmers, some on clay farms and others 

 on sand, to test the influence of soil upon the composition of the wheat. 

 Former experiments in another state had shown a ver}' fundamental influ- 

 ence of the cliaracter of the soil on the quality of the grain. In that case 

 it was spring wheat. We are carrying forward the same work with winter 

 wheat on a slighth' different plan. 



The floods in the spring of 1904 and again in 1905 have stopped the very 

 interesting series of experiments on muck, i)lanned to discover not alone 

 the best fertilizers for improving yield of crops for such soils, but also for 

 improving the physical condition. The plots have been completely sub- 

 merged for weeks in both years. 



The departure of Professor Robison in the earl}- spring of 1905, makes 

 it necessary to omit the formal report from the head of that department. 

 The work accomj)lished by the chemist covers the completion of a diges- 

 tion experiment reported in special bulletin 32; the analyses of commercial 

 fertilizers rejwrtcd in a bulletin nearly ready for the press; an examination 

 tion of soy beans, cow peas, alfalfa, vetch and clover as to chemical con- 

 tent in the work of determining their relative values as green manures and 

 determining as well the influence of inoculation on the chemical composi- 

 tion of the entire plant and of the ripened seed; investigations of water 

 and plants from the sandier sections of the state to aid in the solution of 

 problems concerning the Grand Traverse disease of cattle. 



-Vfter the departure of Professor Longyear, the work of the botanist was 

 transferred to Professor R. H. Pettit, the entomologist, his previous ex- 



