140 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



fertilizer was valued at $25 per ton, the acid phosphate at $15, the uitrate of 

 soda at $50. 



These experiments were cooperative and wore conducted in different counties 

 in the State and at the station. On an old soil, reduced through excessive 

 grain culture, the use of commercial fertilizers did not result in raising the 

 yield more fhan 3.6 bu. per acre. On a grain-cropped soil, where clover had 

 been grown, phosphoric acid and potash increased the yield, while nitrogen did 

 not prove economical. In one experiment phosphoric acid alone caused an 

 increase in yield of -i bu. per acre, and in other tests its use produced a better 

 stand of clover. xVt the station, on land producing 27 bu. of wheat per acre with- 

 out fertilizers, the use of commercial fertilizers gave no appreciable increase. 

 The application of nitrogen to old and exhausted wheat soils increased the 

 protein in the grain from 1 to 3 per cent. 



In the tests with corn, potash in three cases gave beneficial results, but insuf- 

 ficient to pay for its cost. Better results were secured from barnyard manure 

 than from the commercial fertilizers. 



From the one season's work no definite conclusions are drawn, but the re- 

 sults indicate that commercial fertilizers should not be used indiscriminately 

 on old soils for the ]iur]»ise of increasing the yield. 



Some common weeds and their eradication, A. D. Wilson {Minnesoia Hia. 

 Bui. 95, pp. 193-237, flgs. 25). — A general discussion on the methods of avoiding 

 and eradicating weeds is given, with brief notes on the more common species. 



At the station wild oats from the crop of 1905 were planted in September of 

 that year and 70 per cent germinated. A large percentage of wild mustard 

 and wild barley also germinated under the same treatment. It is pointed 

 out that by facilitating the germination of these weeds in the fall they may be 

 killed by frost and by subsequent cultivation. In another test 3 lbs. of 

 rape seed sown per acre in cornfields at the last cultivation produced an 

 excellent crop of rape and prevented the growth of pigeon grass or other weeds. 

 Hemp sown thickly on a piece of ground infested with quack grass did not 

 quite eradicate this weed. The use of Gi gal. of kerosene per square rod was 

 inefficient in destroying quack grass, and the same was true of the use of 80 

 bbls. of salt per acre. A 15 per cent solution of Sulphuric acid, at the rate of 40 

 to 50 gal. per square rod, killed the plants, but this treatment is also too 

 expensive to be practical. Covering the grass with tar paper apparently killed 

 it, but this method, also, is too costly. 



HORTICULTURE. 



Horticultural work at the Canada experiment stations, W. T. Macoun, 

 W. S. Blair, S. A. Bedford, A. Mackay, and T. A. Sharpe (Canada E.rpt. Farms 

 Rpts. 1905, pp. 91-116, 121-124, 302-309, 312-320, 3J,r,-355, 380-39-',, -',15-J,38).— 

 The results of cultural expei-iments are reported with a large number of flowers, 

 fruits, and vegetables grown on the experimental farms in Canada. .The data 

 are similar in character to those reported in previous years (E. S. R., 17, p. 

 139). Much miscellaneous information on the general work of each of the 

 stations during the year is also included. 



W. T. Macoun, at the central farm, reports the result* of the examination of 

 30 seedling fruits of various kinds. Descriptions are given of 27 new or little- 

 known varieties of apples in Ontario and Quebec. The net profits in the closely 

 planted Wealthy apple orchard previously reported upon, amounted to $103.13 

 per acre in 1905. This makes the average net profit since the orchard has been 

 bearing over $105.75 per acre, and since the orchard was started, $59.03 per aci*e. 



