Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1908-02-14
DeIaware's Experimental Farm

The subjoined report was made
by the Agricultural Committee ia
the Board of Trustees of Delaware
College at meeting held on 2Sth,
1908, at the College.
Gentlemen -
Since the last regular meeting of
the Board much has been accom-
plished in the Agricultural Depart
ment of the College. Considerable
effort has been made to advertise the
Agricultural Courses, and to interest
not only young men in the advan-
tages offered by the College for an
Agricultural education, but those
who are actually engaged in farming,
as well. The results thus far OBJ
tanned have been quite satisfactory,
seven students registered in various
agricultural courses at the beginning
OF the year. We have every reason |
to feel that the Farmers Short
Course of two weeks, which begins
the middle of February, will be a
success, although, Of course we can
not expect any large numbers. The
work is new to our constituents, and
1t will be some time before the eff
forts that are now being made will
yield satisfactory returns.
There is a great need for more
systematic College Extension work
than is now possible with our pres
ent facilities. We are constantly
receiving requests to visit farms to
make suggestions and give advice
in way that is impossible to do
by correspondence. Our committee
feels that if we had a small State
appropriation to carry on this work
much good would be accomplished,
not only to the farms thus visited
and the people met in this way, but
it would also bring the College be-
fore the people of the State in a
desirable manner.
THE EXPERIMENT STATION.
Although the farm came into our
possession comparatively late to
plan satisfactory seasons work, a
, number of experiments have been
successfully carried out The ex-
pertinent in top dressing grass lands y
was satisfactory, although the season q
vas much against this kind of work. /
The experiment with varieties of
'ow peas and soy beans indicated
hat it would be possible for farmers
% grow certain varieties Of soy beans v
or seed at a large profit, not only
OF seed but also for feeding pur-
)oses. Ii the farmers could appre- N
late the value of SOY beans for hav
S well as for grain, and make
BUSINESS of growing them, they Z
rould no doubt save a large part OF
he money they now spend for ~ :.
foods. =
The Station is making an extern yo
i've test with different varieties of
heat, different varieties of crimson 4,
lover, and other grains, such as
inter oats, barley and spells. There
also in progress number of CO. |
perative experiments with alfalfa.
We are finding that the farm is Al
cry wet, and before much expert lie
rental work can be done in the sp
ED set aside for the work of the
gronomist, it will have to be I'M
.rdrained. =
We are looking forward to the II
me when we shall have additional sou
nds for this work, as well as for CIR
rm buildings better suited to the 70
,eds of the College and the Station sol
an those which we now have. 'p'
The work OF equipping the farm is --
as fast as possible, and
some branches the equipment is
Nv complete. v
Very respectfully submitted Riy
GEORGE G. KERR, Chairman, est
For the Agricultural Committee. t flsl