72 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



6 GEORGE V, A. 1916 



the application of baruyard manure in tlie rotation. A noticeable feature of this year's 

 returns from the rotations was the fact that the check plot "A." continuous wheat, 

 was the only system which was operated at a loss. 



Rates of seeding. — In the amounts of seed per acre, a compilation of the results 

 of the last three seasons' tests points to the conclusion that less amounts of seed 

 than are commonly used of oats and barley will prove more profitable. ■ One bushel 

 per acre of each of these kinds has given higher yields than any other amounts 

 tested. 



CULTURAL PLOTS. 



The scope of the cultural investigation work has been considerably augumented 

 by the addition of eight experiments. 



A few conclusions might be drawn from the four experiments that have been under 

 way for two years. 



Use of soil packer. — In the use of soil packers, sufficient evidence has accumu- 

 lated to indicate that packers are of considerable value in the preparation of the seed- 

 bed, providing, however, that they are not used where the surface soil contains a high 

 percentage of clay, or when the soil is too wet. The most profitable times to use the 

 soil packer appear to be immediately after ploughing and immediately after sowing. 



Breaking new sod. — The experiments in methods of breaking the prairie point to 

 the conclusion that ploughing the sod 4 or 5 inches deep, early in June, and cultivating 

 throughout the season, is the most profitable system to adopt. 



Depths of seeding. — In the depth of seeding experiment, sowing from 2 to 3 inches 

 deep appears to be the most satisfactory for both wheat and oats. 



HORTICULTURE. 



Considerable progress has been made in connection with the horticultural work 

 of this Station. A splendid catch of Kentucky Blue grass on the lawn has been the 

 admiration of visitors. The trees and shrubs, planted in groups on the lawn, are 

 thriving. Each year's growth adds considerably to the eifect. A number of trees in 

 the arboretum have proved somewhat tender, but a long list of varieties have shown 

 themselves quite hardy. 



In the flower border, the paeonies have made a splendid start. Besides the annual 

 flowers, which were sown in the hotbed, and transplanted to the flower border, twenty- 

 seven varieties of annuals wore sown outside, most of them blooming splendidly. 



Vegetables. — The dry summer seriously affected the yields of vegetables, potatoes 

 only yielding about half an average crop. Corn, cucumbers, and tomatoes were just 

 commencing to bear when the frost came. 



LIVE STOCK. 



The live stock on the Station at the present time consists of fourteen head of 

 work horses. 



Experimental work has been restricted to investigations into the cost of wintering 

 idle work horses, and the cost of raising colts, the average cost of feed for two 3-year-old 

 colts, from time of weaning until three years old, amounting to $56.24. 



EXTENSIOXS TO THE STATION. 



One-half section (320 acres) of land, adjoining the Station, has been purchased for 

 the purpose of extending experimental work in crop production, and providing sufficient 

 feed for further experimental work with live stock. 



About 100 acres of new land have been broken up during the past season. 



