Milford chronicle., 1909-06-04
Delaware College Farmers Day.

= The fourteenth of June, 1909, i.
to be Farmers Day at Delaware
College. This is a day set aside by
the Trustees of the College for the
reception Of the farmers of the
State. The day will be given to a
demonstration of the experiments
now being carried on, and to give
some idea Of their value to the
Agricultural welfare of the State.
Among the experiments that are
in eresting and instructive is an ex-
tel sive wheat variety test. In this
test there are over sixty named va
riches Of wheat. A detailed study
of this experiment shows a wide
variation in length of straw and
head, stiffness of straw, stoOling
properties, and other attributes
which go to make up a desirable
wheat. A study of the forty vari-
ties of oats shows similar differen-
ces which are both interesting and
instructive. The corn variety test,
while not far enough advanced to
show as much as it will a little lat
er, will present some interesting
features by Farmers Day.
A most interesting experiment,
and one which will be nearly fin
ished for the year, is one to deter
mine what difference, if any, exists
between different varieties or types
of wheat in taking up and using to
advantage various kinds and guam
tiles of plant food. Or, in other
words; to ascertain to what extent
the feeding capacity of certain
types or of varieties of wheat differ.
To study this problem, over SO, 900
individual wheat grains were plant
ed six inches apart each way. The
differences they exhibit are of great |
interest to every wheat grower in
the State.
There are now about thirty-fve
acres Of young orchards on the
farm. The larger part Of the trees
consist of peach and apple, and are
being used in a study Of the plant
food requirements as we'll as some
other factors in growing peaches
and apples. The trees are looking
unusually well this spring, and af-
ford pleasing study to the Orcar-
dist.
The most important experiment,
from the view point of the fruit
grower, that is being carried on is
the experiment to determine the
function of Nitrogen, Phosphorus
and Potassium in the production of
the peach. For this work 40 con-
crete pits I2 feet in diameter and 5
feet deep have been built. Each
pit drains in such a manner that
the drainage waters can be collect
ed, measured and analyzed. The Y
pits are filled with washed sand, in d.
which a peach tree has been plant
ed. Each tree is fertilized with an
exact amount of Nitrogen, Phos-
or Potassium, or a COM .
2ination Of these elements. The .
knowing how much :,
1lant food the trees received and 4
low much leached out in the drain :,
lge waters, has fair idea of the !,
mount that has been taken up by =
he tree. As further check, the Il
rees are to be enclosed with wire =
ietting, the leaves gathered, weigh ;,
d and analyzed. The fruit will be :,
tudied in a similar manner, and
very precaution taken to de-
ermine, not only what the tree
oes with its plant food, but to Al
earn also what effect it has upon fe
he amount and quality of tue vi
-uit produced. It is hoped, too, th
nat an experiment planned with
, much care will give an indica
on at least, as to the effect of the
arious elements ofplant food upon 70
le resistance Of the trees to disease. tn
Those who are interested in i'm &C
roved live stock will find in the ia
addocks and stable horses, mules, IN
ieep and hogs that will stand crit tlC
al inspection. SIC
Lunch will be served at noon, ID
ter which, with Governor Penne- Iei
i'll presiding, Prof Spillman Of "a "a
le U. S. Department of Agricul- 10 ~
ire, will make an address on some " "
economical phase of ag- ~ ~
culture. or
This is Farmers Day, and it is fra
,ped that they will all come,
ing their wives and neighbors,
ID see what is being done at the
experiment. Station. tul
H. HAYWARD, Director. asl
for
TrOubIe Makers Ousted. 'HS