440 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



this station with stock, the very important and economical fact can be deter- 

 mined whether this crop can be pastured with sheep or other stock and still pro- 

 duce a profitable crop of seed. The observations made during the season would 

 seem to indicate that success in this direction is at least probable, the only differ- 

 ence which could be noticed between the plants which had been cut for feed and 

 those which were lelt untouched, was that the former, being not as heavily 

 branched, were able to ripen the seed earlier and more evenly. Very small plots 

 of abouts one-half rod square were planted with the following vetches and forage 

 plants. 



Ticla Sativa Typica. — Planted June 5. Blossomed August 9. Resembles the 

 common spring vetch, the leaves being larger and the vines being coarser and 

 longer, averaging 7i-.. feet in length at the close of the season. Pods exceeding 

 3 inches in length formed, but no seed ripened. 



Vicia Biennis. — Planted June 5. Blossomed July 23. In appearance like the 

 common Sand or "Winter Vetch. The blossoms are smaller and of a more reddish 

 purple. The leaves are smaller and the vines more slender, averaging 8^2 feet 

 in length. Like its relative the Sand Vetch, it made a rank growth and formed a 

 compact mat of vines which will no doubt prove more valuable for feed or fer- 

 tilizer than for seed. No pods could be found. 



Ticia Peregrina. — Planted June 1. Blossomed August 16. Vines more slender 

 and leaves smaller than Sativa typica. Both of these would have probably rip- 

 ened seed if planted earlier. Bumble bees and similar beneficial insects appreciate 

 the handsome pink and white blossoms of these spring vetchs and these plants 

 in orchards or near small fruit plantations should be of the greatest value even 

 outside of the high fertilizing value which they yield as legumes. None of these 

 •two nor Vicia biennis were affected by September or early October frosts, and 

 merely the tips of the vines wilted after the killing frost of October 24. 



Lathy r us Ochrus or Ochrus Pea — Planted June 1. Blossomed July 22, the 

 blossoms being pure white and resembling those of field peas. This variety grows 

 more upright, the vines seldom exceeding 4 feet in length. The peas ripened late 

 in August and in size are somewhat smaller than Egyptian Mummy. Thoroughly 

 ripening in a season as wet and cold as the past, this variety ought to be con- 

 sidered a very valuable acquisition as a legume. 



POTATOES AND ROOT CROPS. 



As during previous seasons, the potatoes were planted 18 inches apart in rows 

 4 feet apart and level cultivation was given throughout the season. Potato bugs 

 and both early and late blights were more damaging than during any other season. 

 The total yield of the crop was not materially affected thereby, but the develop- 

 ment of the tubers being checked, the yield of large and small potatoes was out 

 of the ordinary proportion. Potato rot began to develop towards the end of 

 August, but harvesting the crop late and storing the potatoes in crates restricted 

 the loss to less than five per cent. To keep the vines immune by sufficient spray- 

 ings during a season of almost continuous rains would have been impracticable. 



With each harvest, it becomes more evident that early varieties cannot be 

 recommended for this region. The reasons which lead to this conclusion are, 

 first, the yield is small; second, the size of the tubers is seldom large enough 

 except for home consumption; third, the period which elapses between the ripen- 

 ing of the early and that of the late varieties is insignificant in this latitude. 



Varieties tested for the first time are. 



Million Dollar. — A late white potato of the Carman type, oblong to round, 

 flattened and usually thickest at seed end. Finely netted with eyes, mostly shal- 

 low and open. Flesh dry and of good quality. 



Up-to-Date. — A late white variety, oblong to round and sometimes flattened. 

 Eyes broad, open, shallow. Skin slightly -netted; quality good. 



Wonderful. — A medium early variety. Color light brown, eyes white, broad, 

 very shallow and often bulging. Roundish oblong, skin prominently russeted; 

 flesh dry and of good quality. 



Admiral Dcicey. — As tested here it is impossible to describe the variety or state 

 whether the otherwise satisfactory yield is due to one rather than the other of 



