Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-11-28
EXPERIMENTSATA ARLINGTON
AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT is DE-
VELOPING STATION THERE.
About 400 Acres Included Compre-
teresting Tests to he Made.

VI Tie estate, VI
| which the title has been vested in the ma
tional government for many years. was re-
| Gently allotted to the Department of Agri-
culture for use as an experiment station
| and development ground. 1t is the purpose
Of Secretary Wilson and his assistants to
make this tract one Of the most important
| stations operated by the department and
much work preliminary to that end has
been done in the past two years. THE
Arlington farm" as it is known to the
agricultural experts occupies a consider
| able space in the annual reports Of the de-
partment, as will be indicated by the fol-
lowing extract.
/ Secretary Wilson in his statement to the
President makes the following observations
under the caption THE Arlington Farm"
This farm, which was placed at the dis
posal of the department two years ago,
consists Of about 400 acres of rolling land,
and, as a whole, Is very well suited for the
purposes set forth in the act. The appro-
priation available has been devoted to get
ting the ground into shape, and already
marked improvements can be noted. A
large part of the preliminary rough work
such as clearing, draining, etc, has been
accomplished, and the general plan of get
ting the land into condition for planting
preparatory to inaugurating experiments
has been perfected. The farm can be made
valuable adjunct of the department, and
will be so managed as to give opportunity
for conducting practical experiments in
many lines Of work. The shaping of a gen.
eral plan with this object in view is neces-
sarily slow as each step must be care
fully considered. Buildings will soon be
needed, and recommends tons have been
made to this end
Qualities of the Soil.
These conclusions were based in part on
the report Of the Secretary made from the
bureau Of plant industry, In the course of
which statement the chief Of that bureau
Prof. B. T. Galloway. says:
THE work of the Arlington experimental
farm is conducted under the office of the
chief Of the bureau, with Mr.. l.. C. Corbett
in direct charge. The farm is that portion
of the Robert E.. Lee estate between the
Arlington national cemetery reservation and
the Potomac river. 1t can be reached by
either of two lines of electric cars in twenty
minutes. or by carriage.
THE plot set aside for experimental use
consists of some 400 acres Of rolling land
made up chiefly Of clay loan, underlaid
at depth Of three to five feet with an i'm
perviouS clay subsoil, except the tops of the
knolls, which consist largely of gravel AS
a whole, the land lies well for the purposes
to which 1t is to be devoted In mechanical
condition. 1t Is all that could be desired-it
Is easily cultivated, responds readily to good
treatment, yet carries a sufficient amount
of sand to allow of cultivation soon after
heavy rains In general, it Is in fair state
OF fertility, the more elevated portions alone
showing lack of available plant food; this
however will be corrected by the use of
green manures and mineral fertilizers be-
fore permanent paintings are made. The
diversity in the surface provides suitable
locations for the various fruits adapted to
this latitude as well as facilities for study
ing the influence Of slight elevations upon
frost zones.
''since this parcel of land came under
the control of the department II has been
thoroughly grubbed all brush briars and
tree growth having been removed. thus
fitting the ground for the work of draining
and cultivation.
Tract is Now Much Improved.
Several large streams of water reach
the boundary of this property from the Ar
lington national cemetery. These streams
are too large to be carried either I'm drain
tile or large size sewer pipe, and accord
ingly open bitches have been dug to serve
as mains for these streams and to carry
OF the flow from the tile drains rendered
necessary by the great number of springs
which are at present near the foot of the
slope Of the hill, particularly in the south
western part of the farm. In order to
drain this springy land and fit 1t for Gull
tivation, some 10000 feet of three-inch and
four-inch drain tile have been laid. In
carrying on this work it has been the OBJ
Ject not only to carry off superfuous water,
but to do the work In such manner that
the soil would be aerated and sweetened.
"a shed which serves the purpose Of
stable and tool room has been erected.
There are no other structures of any de-
scription on the place.
"Plows were started in May, and some
forty acres have been prepared and seeded
with cowpeas.
Plans for Future Work.
1T will be the aim to develop the Airing
ton farm irto a high-grade experiment sta
ton for the purpose of propasating, test
ing and studying fruits. vegetables. grains
and other crops brought to the attention of
the department. Besides investigating the
needs Of the soil with reference to the
growth Of fruits and vegetables, plots will
be provided for the use Of the various
branches Of the department carrying on
work in connection with plant diseases, in
sect attacks. etc. The department has long
felt the need of a collection of fruits vege-
tables and other plants, where expert
ments OF this nature could be conducted.
and one object Of this work will be to pro-
vide these facilities as rapidly as possible.
Within recent years great many valua-
bic seeds and plants have been sent to the
Department, which, owing 20 lack Of proper