DEMONSTRATION WORK AS APPLIED TO FARM CROPS. 



By T. B. PARKER, in Charge of Demonstration Work. 



So far, in North Carolina, demonstration work relating to farm 

 crops has been confined to alfalfa, crimson clover, vetches, and im- 

 proved varieties of corn and cotton. It was started about two years 

 ago with alfalfa, in co-operation with the United States Department 

 of Agriculture. 



Through this co-operation effected with the Federal Department of 

 Agriculture, we were last year able to send crimson clover and vetch 

 to nearly seventy-five farmers living in more than twenty-five counties 

 and embracing nearly every section of the State. These seed are not 

 distributed indiscriminately. They are sent out for the specific pur- 

 pose of finding out where they will succeed and under what conditions 

 they do best, and to prove to the farmers their economic agricultural 

 value. Each person receiving seed will also be required to keep a 

 record of time of planting, the nature of the land, what crop occupied 

 the land last year, if high land or low land, level land or hill land, the 

 methods of cultivation, fertilization, etc., for which we furnish blanks 

 to- be filled out by the co-operator. With this data, covering every 

 variety of soil in the State, different methods of cultivation, fertiliza- 

 tion, etc., we can draw conclusions that must be helpful to the agri- 

 cultural interests of the State. Follow this up a few years, until we 

 have proved by the test of time the results of these farm tests, and we 

 will have a fund of information that will be invaluable to the farmers 

 of the State. 



The value of alfalfa as a forage crop, as well as a soil improver, 

 wherever it can be grown, is sufficient reason for the Department of 

 Agriculture to encourage its cultivation, which we are doing on small 

 areas in many parts of the State. 



Crimson clover is another of the legumes that we are anxious to see 

 grown all over the State, especially where red clover will not succeed. 

 The Department feels justified in inducing our farmers to grow this 

 crop. It is not only a fine soil improver, but is also a good hay plant. 



The vetches also belong to the legume family and are valuable for 

 soil improvement and for hay. 



The great value of these plants has been proven at our test farms, 

 and we are desirous of demonstrating to the farmers their value along 

 these lines. 



But few reports have as yet come in, but those that have are of a 

 very encouraging nature and give evidence of an interest in these 



