The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1888-02-09

not be estimated. AS far as the fer
~tilizers alone are concerned, the fol
lowing will give an estimate-on an
average $50 fertilizers are analysed
every year. A professional chemist
charges for such work $4,000 for each
analysis, which would make $6,25O,OO
for the work on fertilizers alone every
year. Besides the fertilizers there are
analysed several hundred other SAM
piles each year, embracing among
others, marls, soils, waters, phosphates,
ores, cotton seed products, composts
and agricultural products.
EXPERIMENTAL WORK.
And now as to the other duty of
the Experiment Station to ascertain
by experimental work in the field, the
value of fertilizers on various crops,
and other Investigations to aid directly
| the farmer in his labors.
Not till the spring of 1886 did the
Board of Agriculture see fit to estab-
lish a farm in conjunction with the
work of the station and to carry
out the provisions of the Sec
ond part of the Act. True expert
mental work should consist mainly in
actual field trials to be supplemented
by the results obtained in the labora-
tory. One is necessary to the other as
a mans right hand is to his left. Elk
detrimental work in the field should be
combined with experimental work in
laboratory. United they prove Of the
greatest benefit in advancing the gen.
eral cause for which they should be
undertaken; divided they are shorn of
many of the advantages that would
inevitably follow their union.
The work at the farm since it's es-
adjustment has been to a large extent
preparatory in it nature. A COM
mencement has been made however,
and with the proper facilities the work
can be made Of the greatest benefit to
our farmers. In it's workings they
should take the liveliest interest, be-
cause for them it was established, and
for their benefit the work is carried IN.
The Experimental work that it
would be best to undertake should it
be considered entirely practical in
character, and such as would give the
most immediate and beneficial and
practical results for the use of
farmers, it should include among
others:
/. The effect of fertilizers on
various soils and crops, carried on in,
conjunction with the Experiment Sta
ton by individual farmers throughout
the State. With such a diversity of
soil and climate as we have, this is a
necessity to obtain results of value.
2. A study of the cultivation of our
staple crops, looking to the improve
ment in the present system.
8. The best treatment of worn out
lands to render them productive.
4. The best system for the rotation
of crops, and the effect of time for the
planting of each.
5. Experiments relative to the feed
ing value of the various forage crops,
and Of the grasses, now grown in the
State, or al be grown, and to instruct
our farmers in the value of the stand
ard hays and grasses, of the nutritive
value of each and to determine from
the analysis of the plants. grown the
proper ration for stock.
6. Investigation as to the growth
of other crops than those now planted,
to ascertain if more valuable crops
could be substituted, in part or in
whole, for those we now have. Such
investigation, might include among
others, the study Of sorghum, the
growth of root-crops, the growth of
plants yielding fibre, a study of the
various grasses of value, to ascertain
how far the new crops could supersede
the planting of cotton and other staple
crops, now SO exhaustive to the soil.
7. The construction of the silo, and
the preservation of green forage crops,
as ensilage, and comparative value of
the latter with forage in the dry state.
8. Digestion experiments with stock
to ascertain practically the value of
certain of our food stuffs.
8. A study of the temperature of
the soil, to ascertain how far it affects
the growth of the crop.
10. Investigation of the chemical
constituents of the standard crops in
the various stages of their growth;
and the growth Of the roots of these
crops, as determined by root-washing.
MI E - &c. L I -. -I