Middletown transcript., 1911-09-02
AGRICULTURE EXPERIMENT
Farmers Boy Day at the State
Farm

The first Delaware farmers Boy Day
will be held at the State Farm, Newark,
on Saturday, September 23d, 1911.
The purpose of the day is to bring the
young men of Delaware TO the State Farm
and show them what is being done there
to promote an interest in Agriculture
the basic industry of the State.
At the present time, there is much for
the keen minded country boy to see at
the State Farm. Among the many points
of interest that will appeal to almost any
young man is the work in the Horticul-
tural Department, which contains about
thirty-fve acres, and in which there is
growing 495 different varieties of fruit.
The commercial orchards are among the
best looking ones in the State. Here the
boy who is interested in Horticulture can
study the effect of different fertilizers
upon the growth OF the tree, the color of
the foliage, and the amount of fruit pro.
duced. He will also see how different
cover crops influence the development of
of trees, and observe the different
methods of pruning.
Prof. McCue has under way what is
probably the most elaborate and COM
prehensive experiment ever undertaken
to determine the function of nitrogen,
phosphorus, and potassium in the grow.
ing of peaches. To see this experiment
in all its details is alone worth the trip TO
Newark.
Prof. McCue is also carrying on
rather extensive experiment with soma-
toes. Included under this head is the
testing of large number of varieties,
about forty of which are at present grow
ing on the State farm. The effect of diff.
ferent fertilizers on this crop is also
rather striking feature of the work of the
Horticultural Department.
The boys are particularly interested in
grain and forage crops will take especial
delight in what Prof. Grantham is doing
on his 500 experimental plots. Here a
large number of varieties of corn are to
be seen growing side by side, under iden-
tical conditions, showing the result of care
full breeding for long period. In the 70.
tatlon plots, an opportunity is found to
learn great deal in regard to the plant
food requirements for corn, as the differ.
ences in these plots are very marked, in
many cases showing that the balance be-
tween profit and loss is turned by the
right or wrong kind of fertilizer.
Probably nowhere in the United States
is there such demonstration of soy bean
as at the State Farm. Prof. Grantham has
large number of varieties that he is test.
ing for their yields of grain, oil and hay,
They are attracting the attention of every
visitor to the farm. The total acreage On
the farm is approximately forty.
In the Live Stock Department there
are eleven different breeds of animals rep.
resented. In the herds, studs, and focks
may be found some unusually choice
Observation-Disclosures that would attract
attention almost anywhere.
Prof. Hayward expects to give the boys
demonstration in judging on farmers
Boy Day." going over some of the pure
bred animals on the farm and showing
the use of the score card.
The forenoon will be spent in the barns
and fields. A farmers lunch will be serv.
ed at 1890, after which Prof. Frank Tuck
of CorneIl University will address the
boys on some agricultural topic.
The farmers of the State are especially
requested to arrange their work so that
the boys can be spared for this occasion.
The 'tboy" of to day will be the farmer of
tomorrow. His efficiency as farmer and
as citizen will depend upon the enthusi-
asm and business ability he puts into his
work. A day at the State Farm will not
hurt him, and it may do him great deal
of good.