The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1915-02-28
FARMING TES b.
STATE RE VIEWED

Dean Sanderson Tells of the
Different Lines Of Investi-
cation Undertaken.
The biennial report o: the Yves,
I; Virginia Agricultural Experiment sta.
lion has just been issued and contains
full account OF the numerous lines
or research and experiments catrtec
on for the benefit : fthe farmers d
the state. ,s-
Live. Stock Experiments.
One Of the most important investi,
Hons recently inaugurated is the
\ feeding OF beef cattle. A carload OF
steers are. being fed for the SECOND
winter and the results OF feeding 81
lage have attracted considerable at,
tentionsfro the live stock men OF tht
state. as.these steers are being main.
4 tined on corn sflage and cotton eseC
meal at one-halk the cost OF feeding
them entirely on hay as is commons
done. Besides the experiments al
s.ioreantown; similar work is beine
done in cooperation with the United
States department of agriculture al
Iewisburg, Greenbrier county. where
IAN assistant Mr.. ]. B. Huyett, well
known, stockmans of Jefferson count,
deyotes his entire time to this
work
New Farm Crops.
Extensive tests Of different varie-
ties of soybeans and cowpeas have
been carried on and the station ex-
poets TO try the most promising strains
IN: other parts OF the state, SO as to
encourage their general planting. II
IA believed that either COW pears OF
ssoybeans should be grown on every
farm in the state, not only for their
value ass hay, and forage, but even
more for the depleted soils. Tests OF
numerous varieties of wheat, oats and
corn have heen started In two-thirds
1.-THE counties of the state. extensive
observations have been made. as to Its
z adaptability, and directions have been
published for its culture. The last
Legislature made small appropria.
tton for tobacco experiments, which
have been carried on IN Cabell, Put
nam and Lincoln counties. Seven in
troduced varieties of Burnley tobacco
\ last year yielded an average Of over
/. pcr cent more than the local var.
Sdety commonly grown. The chemical
department made the usual. analyses
Of about $50 samples Of commercial
fertilizers. collected each year from
all parts OF the state. and also an
a1yzed 400 samples of soils.
y Insect Control.
The entomolog ists, Of the station
eihave made important experiments in
the practical control Of borers IN
peach and apple trees In Barbour
Preston and Morgan counties. The,
have also secured most interesting
results in busting apples with arsen
site Of lead and sulphur in compari
SON with the ordinary liquid spray
which work was carried on IN u large
orchard in Jefferson county and prom
ises to be OF great assistance 10 oul
fruit growers.
Cost Of Farming.
The new department OF farm man
Il agement does its work in corporation
Il With the United States department. ol
Agriculture and has made careful stud
les Of the cost and profits OF farming
various parts of the STATE, Tncst
Hgnres are secured by careful studies
sof each farm and the figures of the
Il farmer as to his sales and costs. In
1919 314 farms in II counties wcr,
stndied, as well as 1879 in AIonongalia
county During the last summer mos
or the, farms in Brooke county and .
/ large number in Preston county were
I similarly surveyed and the results arc
now being prepared for publication.
horticultural Work.
The station has long been known
4 fol its excellent work in horticulture
4 and q i large series OF investigations
eot henetit to the fruit growers are
Z; now. being carried on by the horticul'
5stural stan. A thorough study OF tai
effect OF severe and i:slt prrii:ng o.
! both young and old apple and; peach
trees, Is being carried on at several
points. Extensive experiments have
been carried on with commercial FER
tiiizers for apples and peaches, the
results Of which are now being pub
Slished lin separate bulletin. Sur
4 lyeys we're made OF all the orchard:
IN Jefferson and Berkeley countic:
and the results show some interesting
facts in regard to the factors which
make for the success in fruit grow
ing and the cost OF production. Ovel
& I1D varieties OF strawberries ant
Varieties Of other bush fruit.
re been tested and the results viii
Z BE- publ ished after another. years trial
The extensive experiments with var
les Of potatoes have been contin-
stied In Preston county and samples q
tiie more promising sorts have beer
tffhuted for further. testing Il
growers in various parts OF the state
The plant pat biologist has practica:i,
cvnipietGd an exhaustive study Of tbs
esaar rust fungus which has cauaes
& tii,ch damage to apples In til,
EASTERN ranhsnd d lie. HIS work show
EonrifsiTelT lust how and when III,