286 STATE BOARD OF AGRIICULTURE. 



latter farm a cabbage demonstration is also located. These are similar 

 to the celery projects in the nature of the fertilization and each covers 

 an area of from one-third to one-half acre. The system of plot fertilization 

 is given in Table 4, 



3. Mint. Owing to the low return per acre, many mint growers plan 

 to turn to other crops. To some extent, this is being encouraged. At the 

 same time, fertilization studies are being .conducted with the idea of 

 increasing the production of mint oil per acre at a low^er coist per pound. 

 This, it is thought, will allow a profit even at the /present low prices of 

 mint oil. Results reipresentative of those secured from the 1921 projects are 

 given in Table 5, Two field demonstrations are being carried on in this 

 crop during the present season. These are located on the farms of Dr. W. 

 P. Bope, Decatur and E. V. Root, Bangor, VanBuren Oo. 



4. Pasture. On nuany muck areas the presence of buried roots and 

 logs renders breaking up very diffcnlt. For that reason, it has been con- 

 sidered better policy to leave sucli soils as pasture. During the season 

 of 1922, experiments are being conducted on pastures on two different 

 deposits, for the purpose of improving both yield and quality, by com- 

 bining fertilization with a seeding in of better pasture grasses. These are 

 located ou the fanns of J. H. Cornell, Clinton Co., and M. A. Wright, 

 Huroin Co. 



WORK AT chandler's MARSH. 



Mr. Wildei' Thomas kindly plaiced at the disposal of the writer 7 acres 

 of muck to be used as a field demonstration. This is located ou Chandler's 

 Marsh two miles north of the Agricultural College at East Lansing. Two 

 acres of this has been used as a fertility project with general fann crops 

 (mentioned above). Ou another two acres, a fertility demonstration is 

 being conducted with various truck crops. On two acres the co-operatioii 

 of the Farm Crops Department has been secured in making a variety 

 test of several farm crops. The Horticultural Department is co-operating 

 in uuikiug a one acre variety test of a nuinber of truck crops. Infornui- 

 tion regarding the varieties of different crops which are best adapted 

 to muck soil is greatly needed. A monster field meeting is planned for 

 this demonstration for some date during the late summer. 



WORK ON SIPPY MARSH. 



Besides the regular fertilizer plots on the farm of Mr. H. I. Sippy at 

 Hart, Oceana Co., a cultural demonstration is being conducted on one 

 acr« of coTu, one of rye, one of sunflowers and one of meadow. Various 

 systems of plowing, rolling and cultivating are being compared. A variety 

 test of corn is also being carried on. 



LABORATORY STUDY. 



Along with the co-operative fertilization demonstrations mentioned 

 above, a chemical study of the muck soils is being made in the laboratory. 

 The proportions of organic and inoi-ganic materials and the content of 

 lime in a muck soil are important in determining the adaptability of 

 different crops and the probable fertilizer needs of the soil. The effects 

 of fertilization on the sugar content of sugar beets and on the cooking 

 qualities of potatoes grown on the muck is being studied. All mint plots 



