Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1898-03-26
FARM AND GARDEN.
MATTERS OF INTEREST TO
AORicULTURIsTs.
sems Up-to-Dats Hints Abont Cul-
tivstion of the Soil and Yields
Observation-Disclosures vitIcuIture and
Horticulture.
Farm Experiments.

Ehrm experiments
II is no disparagement to the work
OF our different experiment stations to
say that there is kind OF investiga-
ton which they can never perform,
says Michigan Farmer. The principles
on which successful farm practice must
depend may be properly and effectively
studied by these institutions. but in the
practical application of the results thus
secured there remains much which can
only be successfully accomplished on
the very farm to which the principles
are to be applied. The infinite variety
Of soil and climatic conditions to which
all crops are necessarily subjected. the
wide differences which even individual
farms offer. preclude the possibility Of
securing in any one locality the detail
OF data which shall control successful
practice in all other localities and
farms of the same political division.
Upland and lowland, sand and clay.
hard wood lands. and pine lands. dry
lands and wet lands. all offer local pc
cuiiarities demanding variations OF
practical treatment which cannot be
studied under opposite conditions and
which render the results obtained UNI
der one condition wholly inapplicable
TO another. II seems, therefore, OBJ
vious that our official stations should
devote a larger part OF their efforts to
the calculation of principles and to the
development of schemes and systems
Tor private investigation and less time
20 the routine Of plot trials and variety
tests, which can have only local appli-
cation and many Of which are better
and more effectively conducted by par
sizes whose commercial interests are in
solyed. To illustrate, the opinion or
Judgment of a reliable nurseryman or
scotsman, always obtained as result
of personal experience and trial. is US
ually a safer guide to the selection OF
trees. plants, seeds and fruits adapted
TO the locality in which he is located,
does business and has financial inter-
ests. than any advice furnished on the
same points by the experiment station
located possibly miles away, and with
soils and climatic conditions quite diff
ferent from those involved. 1t is impos-
sible to suggest plan of individual ex-
Fermentation which shall be universal
ly applicable, but few suggestions as
TO the conditions to be met and the
methods best calculated to secure trust
worthy and useful results seem feas-
ible. The location should be as near
ly as possible the average soil Of the
farm, as convenient of access as pos
sible and with an even aspect and
drainage. The area devoted to the pur-
pose must be controlled by the extent
OF the work contemplated. The site
should be carefully divided and meas
uree into plots. between which vacant
spaces OF not less than three feet in
width must be left to prevent as much
as possible the effects OF the treatment
OF one plot from affecting the results
OF its adjoining neighbors. The size
OF these plots will chiefly control not
only the area required, but also the re-
liability Of results. The common mis-
take in opinion and practice is that of
too large plots. Really, the smaller the
plots up to the minimum OF practical
working with farm methods and inn
PIGMENTS the better-1-10 acre may be
given as maximum area and 1-100
acre is probably better and possibly
the minimum feasible size of plot. The
reason for this fact is not far to seek
Results must all be based on averages.
and It must be obvious that 100 trials
on 100 plots occupying an acre of
ground will give greater probability of
average correctness of conclusion than
though the results were secured from
q single trial occupying the entire acre.