L80 REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST OF THE 
of grain and straw of this plat was quite inferior to that of its 
neighbors. The only difference in the treatment of plats Nos. 3, 
4 and 5 since the establishment of the Station was that in 1887 
plat No. 4 was permitted to grow up to weeds (intentionally), while 
Nos. 3 and 5 yielded a crop of maize. The three plats were 
plowed and planted alike with the maize, but after the plants had 
vegetated those on plat No. 4 were pulled out, leaving those on 
Nos. 3 and 5 to mature their crops. The weeds were permitted to 
erow undisturbed on No. 4 until autumn, when the growth on all 
the plats was removed. It appears, therefore, that the pernicious 
influence of weeds may not be confined to the season in which 
they grow, but that, at least when removed in autumn, they may 
injuriously affect the soil during the following season. 
INVESTIGATIONS IN SOIL PHYSICS. 
The influence of treatment upon soil moisture. 
Details of the construction of new lysimeters. 
The progressive movement of soil water during percolation. 
Experiments on capillary action in soils. 
The condensation of water upon the surface of soil during cold 
nights in spring. 
The height of water in wells. 
The soil hygrometer. 
INTRODUCTORY. 
Work in this department has been carried on the past season as 
time permitted. The investigations were brought to a sudden 
termination, however, on September 1, through the resignation of 
the assistant horticulturist, and were also restricted somewhat 
through inability to procure the needed apparatus. 
Some of the results submitted may appear fragmentary. As 
the experiments were performed only as time could be spared 
from the horticultural department, it seemed useless to attempt a 
more systematic line of investigation. | 
THe INFLUENCE OF TREATMENT Upon Som Moisrurs. 
Oljects of the experiment. 
1. To ascertain how far the amounts of moisture in the portion 
of the soil occupied by the roots of crops may be influenced by 
treatment aside from artificial watering. 
