EO THE DIRECTOR. EIPERIMENTSL FARMS 



Q. Wt)uld it be in seed at that time ? 



A. No ; it would not be in seed until later. 



Q. Would it be in bloom at that time ? 



A. I scarcely think it would. 



Q. Clover is in blossom with us the first week in June; how about ploughing 

 down the first week in October ? 



A. That would not, I think, be so beneficial to the subsequent crop as ploughing 

 under in June. It would, however, be useful and the farmer would get the benefit of 

 a crop of clover hay. 



By Mr. ^y^hon: 



Q. How often do you repeat the practice of ploughing the clover under at tae 

 end of the first year '< 



A. We are doing it every season. 



Q. Instead of using ordinary manure ? 



A. Not instead of ordinary manure, but to supplement its use. 



'_ By Mr. Charlton: 



' Q. You consider it superior to artificial manures, chemical manures ? 



A. I think it is better in some respects to chemical manure, and especially for 

 soils deficient in humus. The beneficial effects of chemical manures are much lessened 

 when there is a deficiency of humus in the soil. If there is not enough to give the land 

 the power of holding a considerable quantity of moisture, the crop cannot be greatly 

 benefited by such application. 



By Mr. ]yilson: 



Q. I understand the result from this is a great deal better than anything else at 

 the same price. 



A. One crop of clover turned under will produce a large amount of humus and will 

 usually give to the land as much "nitrogen as could be got from ten tons of barn-yard 

 manure, and in addition the clover on account of its strong and deeply penetrating 

 root system, gathers other elements of plant food from the subsoil and places it 

 within the reach of subsequent crops. 



By Mr. CharKon: 



Q. Do you crop that ground before seeding down again ? 



A. We crop the ground the following year and often seed it again with that crop. 

 The main part of the experimental farm is devoted to a five year rotation, and the 

 land is manured once in five years. The manure is applied with the root or corn crop; 

 next year cereals are sown and the land seeded with clover and timothy. The next 

 year the land is in hay, then one year pasture, and the fifth year pease and mixed grain 

 crops seeded with clover. 



By Mr. ^yihon : 



Q. That is part of the ordinary farm ? 



A. Yes; the agriculturist, Mr. Grisdale, who has charge of this branch of the 

 work, will be here and will give you any furtlier particulars you may desire. 



By Mr. Charlton: 

 Q. You do not plough down clever in that five years ? 



