466 Reading-Course for Farmers. 



then reseed, but with the present high price of labor and low price of 

 land, it is in many cases desirable to" make an effort to improve the 

 pasture or meadow without plowing. There are also pastures that cannot 

 be plowed, that might be considerably improved. Directions for this work 

 will be furnislied. 



No. III. Varieties of grasses for permanent pastures. — A trial of 

 several kinds of grasses for permanent pastures. This experiment is 

 designed for those who have some plowed land which they expect to seed 

 for a permanent pasture, or a pasture that is to last four or more years. 



No. 114. Fertilisers for meadows. — Experiments at the College have 

 shown that certain fertilizers may be used to profit in growing hay 

 on our soil. Last year 29 farmers tried this experiment. Those who 

 raised a fair crop of hay without any treatment, usually obtained a profit- 

 able increase from using one of the fertilizer treatments. Those whose 

 yields were poor without fertilizers usually did not find it profitable to 

 use fertilizers. We desire a number of such trials this year. The Col- 

 lege will furnish fertilizers ready for application to a limited number 

 who will apply them to four measured plots 1x4 rods each, weigh the 

 hay produced on each plot, and report results. The hay may be weighed 

 with a spring balance. The trial is to be made on a meadow that has a 

 good stand of grass. Those who wish to make a trial on a larger area 

 will be given directions for the purchase and use of larger quantities of 

 the same mixtures. 



No. 119. Cost and profit or loss in different parts of the farm busi- 

 ness. — Farmers usually know what income is derived from dififerent 

 crops and animals but few know the cost of production. To keep an 

 account with a few of the most important parts of the farm business is 

 not a difficult matter. To keep a systematic set of accounts is more 

 valuable and more difficult. Directions for either kind of accounts will 

 be sent and in return we desire to receive the summaries, such as the 

 cost of producing dififerent crops. 



II. PLANT SELECTION AND BREEDING. 



H. J. Webber. 



No. 124. Potatoes. — An experiment in selection by hills for the pur- 

 pose of increasing the yield. 



No. 125. Corn. — An experiment in selection and breeding with a 

 view to developing an improved strain, (a) For silage or (b), for 

 grain. 



No. 126. Oats. — (a) An experiment in selection by individual 

 ])lants for the purpose of improving the yield, (b) An experiment in 

 the selection of large heads to increase yield. 



