266 ' STATE BOARiD OF AGRIOULrTURE. 



KEl'OKT OF CO-OFERATIVE VARIETY DEMONSTRATIONS. 

 BY D. F. RAINEY. 



Perliajis of greatest importance is the establisliiiient of alfalfa variety 

 demou'strations of which eleven have tteen planted and six more are to 

 be planted this j^ear. These serve a double purpose, first, showing the 

 value of the variegated varieties over common strains, and second, the 

 methods of obtaining successful stands of alfalfa. 



To aid the fanners of Michigan to determine what place Hubam clover 

 may occupy in our farming practices, 375 pounds of Hubam was distrib- 

 uted in 15 pound lots. Usually, an equal amount of Biennial White 

 Blossom sweet clover was sent so that the growth of the two clovers 

 could be compared when growing under isimilar conditions. 



Eight counties have soybean variety demonstrations, containing seven 

 leading varieties, planted this year, the object of such demonstrations 

 being to determine the highest forage yielding varieties for different sec- 

 tions. Many farmers are unfamiliar with the different varieties and their 

 habit of growth and these demonstrations furnish the farmer an oppor- 

 tunity to see some of tlie varieties growing side by side. 



The Eobust field bean, which has consistently proved the highest yield- 

 ing variety at the Experiment Station, is used as a check in the three 

 counties conducting field bean variety demonstratioiis. In the past, 

 the Eobust has almost invariably out-yielded all other varieties including 

 those grown locally. 



In two counties we have oat and barley demonistrations. These demon- 

 strations include the best developed by the College, las well as those 

 being grown locally. The pedigTeed varieties have proved to be the 

 highest jdelding ones. 



There are five wheat variety demonstrations to be harvested this year. 

 These demonstrations include some of the best known wheats of Mich- 

 igv^n and Ohio, as well as local varieties, and new ones recently developed 

 by the Experiment Station. These demonstrations are expected to de- 

 termine the adaptation of varieties to different localities. 



Attached herewith is a map showing locations of these demonstrations. 



Eami visits 305 



Lecture meetings 198 



Attendance at lecture meetings 3854 



During the coming year the legume campaign work will be continued in 

 counties which have not as yet been reached. The main projects here- 

 with outlined will be followed through along similar lines. We expect 

 to devote more attention than usual to corn improvement by increasing 

 the supply of high quality seed of the best yielding varieties. 



The number of inquiries received from farmers by mail relating to 

 crops question has greatly increased. Eleven thousand four hundred 

 and eighty first class letters were written by Experiment Station and 

 College workers in the Farm Crops Dept. and eight thousand, four hun- 

 dred and seventy-five first class letters by Extension men in Crops, or a 

 total of nineteen thousand, nine hundred and sixty-one letters in answer 

 to crops inquiries. In addition, a large number of inquiries were answered 

 by appropriate bulletins or circulars. 



