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EXPERIMENT STATION. [Jan. 



iiiarkahlc increase in the pruportiou of white clover. It is esti- 

 mated that tlie amount of feed now i)rodnced is at least three 

 times as great as tliat on the part not to})-dressed. 



4. Experiments and observations lead to the conclusion that 

 alfalfa can be successfully grown in Massachusetts. Experi- 

 ments with the crop are urged. The type of soil, and the method 

 of fertilization and sowing believed to be best are described. 



r>. It has been found that either excelsior or sawdust first 

 saturated with creosote and packed about the joints of drain 

 tiles prevents the entrance of roots, while at the same time the 

 treatment seems to protect the materials used from decay. 



(). The conditions under which roots are likely to penetrate 

 drain tiles are described, and observations are presented which 

 indicate under what conditions the roots of trees are found to 

 be particularly dangerous. 



7. Spraying shade trees by the methods first perfected for 

 fruit trees is found to be exceedingly costly. The equipment 

 essential both for satisfactory work and to insure the least 

 possible cost is described. Briefly, powerful machinery capable 

 of maintaining a pressure of 200 to 250 pounds per square 

 inch and special types of nozzles are recommended. 



8. Some of the more important of the agencies acting un- 

 favorably on our shade trees are described. The more im- 

 ])ortant are contact with wires of telephone, electric light and 

 trolley lines, putting in of water mains and gas pipes, marked 

 deficiency in rainfall and severe climatic conditions. These 

 appear to have caused extensive root killing and gradual death 

 of the trees, while both sun scald and sun scorch have seriously 

 injured some species. The methods of distinguishing between 

 injuries dne to the several causes are carefully presented. 



9. The fact that the chestnut disease seems to be gaining 

 a foothold in Massachusetts is stated, and the localities are men- 

 tioned where it has been found. It is suggested that the un- 

 favorable condition of the trees due to climatic causes may 

 have rendered them peculiarly susceptible. Owners of chest- 

 nut lumber of merchantable size where the disease is found are 

 advised to cut at once. 



10. The extent to which crown gall affects fruit trees, and 

 the luiture and proltable seriousness of the disease are dis- 



