14 a EXPERIMENT STATION. [Jan. 



leases five such tracts. This policy of leasing, as pointed out 

 in my last report, is unsatisfactory : — 



(a) Because it cannot be economically justified since the 

 amount paid for the use of land in most cases is greater than 

 would have been the interest at such rates as the State pays on 

 the cost. 



(&) On account of the fact that interruption of important 

 lines of w^ork because of termination of leases must in some 

 cases be anticipated. 



(c) Because the prices which must be paid for land suitably 

 located tend constantly to increase. Purchase can be made now 

 on more favorable terms than can be anticipated later. 



The station is at present leasing more than thirty acres, and 

 it is, by courtesy of the owners, using considerable additional 

 land. If we look ahead no longer than I believe to be sound 

 common sense I conclude that something like $40,000 should be 

 made available in the near future for the purchase of land. 



Experimental Demonstrations. — ISTew crops and varieties of 

 crops already cultivated among us need testing under varying 

 local conditions as affecting soil and climate, both of which in 

 this State vary widely. This work cannot possibly be done 

 here. Further, conclusions based upon results of experiments 

 here affecting the use of manures, fertilizers and lime, methods 

 of cultivation, etc., need testing in different parts of the State, 

 not only because of variations in soil and climate, but because 

 of variations also in local economic conditions. 



Provision should be made for work of this kind, for which 

 purpose I estimate that $1,000 per year should be provided at 

 as 'early a date as possible. 



Work in the Interests of MarJcet Gardeners. — As is well 

 understood, the market-garden industry in this State is very 

 prominent. It is one of the most important branches of our 

 agriculture. The men engaged in the business have long urged 

 that provision should be made for experimental work in their 

 interest. Something can be clone, and has been done, on the 

 station grounds but the limitations of the area available restrict 

 the possibilities ; moreover, Amherst does not lie in a market- 

 garden section ; its soils are not typical of market-garden soils. 



