&12 



(3) Thorough preparation of the soil before planting and early cultivation before 

 and immediately after the corn is up are the surest and most economic methods of 

 clearing the Held of weeds. Freiiuent shallow cultivation throughout the first half 

 of the season gives the most favorable conditions for full growth and maturity, and 

 fosters the moisture in the soil for the use of the plant. 



(4) The varieties of corn that have proved best in the station tests are as follows: 

 i^Z/n^s— Laudreth's Extra Early, King Philip, Early Canada, Yellow Smut Nose, 

 Chadwick, Blue Blade, Self-Husking, Pride of Dakota; Z?e?(<s— Lovelands, Ilughson's, 

 Gold Coin, Davis's White, and Dakota King. All the above varieties, planted at 

 different intervals in May, have matured with us by the 12th day of September. 



The potaio crop is already au impoitaut one in South Dakota, the 

 soil being well adapted to tbe growtli of this vegetable. Experiments 

 with varieties and methods of planting and cultivation have been made 

 at the station. Early iilauting has uniformly given the largest yield 

 of merchantable potatoes. 



" The best variety of early potatoes tried by the station is the 

 Vanguard; then follow in the order named Early Harvest, Early Ohio, 

 and Chicago Market. For the main crop Polaris excels, but is closely 

 followed by Beauty of Hebron, Hughson's Kose, Thorburn, Warner's 

 Rural Blush, and Snowflake." 



The cross-breeding of Shropshire and 3Ierino sheep has, been success- 

 fully tried, the cross retaining in great measure the lleece of the Merino 

 and the size, " mutton quality," fecundity, and hardiness of the Shrop- 

 shire. 



Department of fokestry, horticulture, and botany, C. A. 

 Keffer (pp. 16, 17). — A brief outline of work in these lines at the 

 station. Last spring between 5 and 6 acres were added to tbe forest 

 plantation. The varieties used were the silver maple {Acer dasycarpiim), 

 box-elder [Negundo aceroides), white elm ( Ulmiis aviericana), green ash 

 {Fraxinus viridis), a liussian poplar {Populus certinensis), shell-bark 

 hickory {Carya alba), and bitter hickory {Carya amara). An acre ami 

 a half was planted to forest-tree seeds of many varieties, including sev- 

 eral si)ecies of oak, walnut, butternut, hickory, elm, ash, maple, cheriy, 

 sycamore, bass-wood, wild plum, and others. A plat of about half an 

 acre was planted with Scotch pines, and additions were made to the 

 evergreen nurseries. 



Collections of the native grasses and noxious weeds of the State are 

 being made. 



Department of chemistry, J. H. Shepard, M. A. (pp. 18, ID). — 

 A brief statement of the analyses made during the year. 

 ^ Department of entomology, I. H. Orcutt, M. D. (pp. 20-23).— 

 A brief account of work in this department of the statiouj especially 

 investigations oil cut-worms, 



