June. 194U] AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH IN N. H. 13 



cibout one-half of the superphosphate has been applied to old hay- 

 lands. According to Ford S. Prince, experiments show rather dis- 

 appointing results in the applications of superphosphate as a top- 

 dressing on hayland. On the other hand, superphosphate with lime, 

 has resulted in stimulating pasture clover. Probably the superphos- 

 phate applied to haylands in 1939 would have resulted in higher 

 returns if it had been applied to pasture land. 



In the case of lime, favorable results will probably be experienced 

 wherever the lime is applied. On the other hand, gains from its use 

 may be larger and quicker if applied in preparation for new seeding. 

 Unless the lime on haylands and crops is applied on tillage area 

 which will be plowed and reseeded soon, there is considerable ques- 

 tion as to whether this use will bring the highest returns. In order 

 to study the conservation needs in detail, four typical dairy farms 

 were selected in Belknap county. These farms have been mapped 

 and the forest cover has been studied. In addition, the agronomy 

 department has carefully mapped the soil. The next step is to study 

 the tillage, pasture and woodland needs in relation to the soil. 



(Piirnell Fund) 



Type of Farming Areas in New Hampshire 



In previous years the land area in five counties, Sullivan, Cheshire, 

 Merrimack. Belknap and Hillsborough, have been classified according 

 to opportunities in commercial dairy farming. 



This year Byron Peterson is working on the classification of lands 

 in Strafford county. He has mapped five towns so far and will com- 

 plete the field work in January. This work includes checking the 

 town inventories for number of cows and hens, checking Avith local 

 selectmen as to location, and checking with the Agricultural Conser- 

 vation program records for amount of tillage land. (Purnell Fund) 



Rural Tax Studies 



Field work has been completed in this study which has as its ob- 

 jective to observe the extent of variation in administrative practices 

 in rural towns and to analyze town expenditures in terms of causal 

 factors and account for differences in local tax rates. Income and 

 expenditures are enumerated for the year ending Januarv 31, 1938 

 (school expenditures for the }-ear ending June 30, 1938), and are 

 now virtually ready for tabulation and summarization. The material 

 Avill probably be presented in a series of bulletins. The work is in 

 charge of H. C. Grinnell. (Purnell Fund) 



Pasture Management Study 



At the close of the second season on the pasture clearing plots, a 

 more accurate measure of brush control can be determined, reports 

 M. F. Abell. Burning, pulling or cutting are equally effective as a 

 means of controlling juniper, although burning has the advantage of 

 destroying seed. It leaves disagreeable dead brush. Pulling leaves 

 bare spots and necessitates some reseeding. Cutting requires the 

 most labor on juniper. Burning birch is most effective. By contin- 

 ued pasturing the new birch shoots are browsed off and almost com- 

 plete control is obtained. Cutting birch induces excessive sprouting 



