Farmers' Cooperative Experiments. 471 



The open drains are generally less efficient as carriers of water. They 

 must be annually renewed and kept clean and they cut up the surface of 

 the field, making inconvenient the use of machinery. In addition to 

 these considerations, it is possible to make a comparison of the cost of 

 the two methods of drainage over a period of years. The expenses of 

 maintenance, inconvenience and low efficiency of the open drain may be 

 set over against the greater first cost and efficiency of the tile drains. 

 Further, it is frequently believed that tile drains are inefifective on heavy 

 clay soil and consequently open drains are used. It is of interest and 

 value to compare the two methods of drainage under uniform conditions 

 on such soil. Such an experiment must necessarily continue for a num- 

 ber of years to give any definite information. 



(b) Different soils require different drainage treatment. This de- 

 partment would like to co-operate with farmers to detennine the best 

 method of drainage under their soil conditions. This would involve a 

 trial of dift'erent depths and frequency of the lines of tile. Many farms 

 need drains only in sags or low areas while other farms should be drained 

 systematically. Suggestions may be given as to the relative use of these 

 two methods. 



(c) Drainage experiments may be taken up with the purpose of 

 determining their effects upon the soil, the climatic conditions, length of 

 season and number of available working days on drained and undrained 

 land. 



Persons desiring to experiment on any phase of drainage should cor- 

 respond with the College, stating the location of his farm, lay of the land 

 and character of the soil and also the kind of study he is willing to 

 take up. 



No. 2. Fertilisers. — (a) The department will suggest a system of 

 fertilizer trials which will show the most profitable material or combina- 

 tions of material for use on the particular soil. In applying for partici- 

 pation in such an experiment, the location of the farm, character of the 

 soil, lay of the land, its agricultural history, if possible, the kind of crops 

 grown and the system of farming followed should be stated. The area of 

 land upon which the experiment will be made should be stated, if it is 

 to be other than a small area devoted to a series of fertilizer plots. If 

 desired, larger trials on a whole field may be made in which case the plan 

 of treatment will be adapted to the local conditions. 



When application is made for fertilizer experiments, arrangements 

 will be made by this department to have the materials shipped to the 

 station nearest to the farm. These materials will be supplied at cost. 

 The following is the scheme that will be arranged for plot experiments. 



