314 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



one-half pounds of seed per acre, using an ordinary turnip drill. It can 

 also be sown broadcast, using six pounds of seed per acre, which may be 

 sown with the wheelbarrow seeder and covered with a light harrow, if 

 the land is weedy, it is best sown in drills, and for experimental work it is 

 probably best to sow in this way. It does not need thinning, but should 

 be cultivated or hoed until it gets a good start, when it will outgrow the 

 weeds. It should be sown about the last of June on land that has been 

 plowed a month previous and well cultivated several times previous to 

 the time of sowing. It is fed by turning the sheep in the field where it is 

 growing, and will be ready for use about the middle of September, and 

 the sheep can be fed on it until hard freezing and snow. When sheep 

 are first turned in, care should be taken to give them a full feed of dry 

 feed just previous to turning in middle of afternoon, as it will cause 

 bloat otherwise. Sheep or lambs will fatten on this plant with no other 

 food. 



The variety to sow is the Dwarf Essex, and only this variety should 6e 

 tried. The seed can be obtained of D. M. Ferry & Co., of Detroit, and 

 probably of other seedsmen. Be particular about the variety. The 

 expense is very small, as the seed should be obtained at retail at a cost 

 of not over fifteen cents per pound. 



NO. 3. SALT AS A FERTILIZER. 



As an experiment in a fertilizer for light soils, we would suggest that 

 you try salt, which can be obtained by the ton very cheaply at the various 

 points where salt is manufactured. Use it quite liberally, say 400 or 

 500 pounds per acre, sowing broadcast, and note the difference, if any is 

 observed, of growth and yield on plats sown with salt and those adjacent 

 not sown. I wouli suggest that a field be sown in alternate sections of 

 an acre each, leaving alternate plats without salt, so as to make the com- 

 parison easy. 



Reports to the College on all of the above experiments should be made 

 to Prof. Clinton D. Smith, Agricultural College, Mich. 



NO. 4. POTATOES. 



(a) A variety test. The College will supply one pound of each of ten 

 new varieties to such county organizations as will agree to have them 

 grown according to directions which will be sent with the seed, and to 

 make a report at the end of the season. Those wishing to perform this 

 experiment should send immediately to Prof. L. R. Taft, Agricultural Col- 

 lege, stating that they wish to perform this experiment and certifying 

 that they are paid-up members of a county Institute Society. The supply 

 of this variety is limited and you will have to apply at once if you want 

 to perform this experiment. The products of this experiment should be 

 exhibited at the Institute next winter with a record of the yield. Report 

 should also be made to Prof. Taft. 



(6) A test of the amount of seed. One-eighth acre (or other area as 

 may be determined upon), should be planted, using whole potatoes about 

 twice as large as a hen's egg. Another plat of the same size should be 

 planted with potatoes of the same size cut lengthwise. A third plat 

 of equal area should be planted with whole potatoes the size of a hen's 



