the field of weeds.

Frequent shallow cultivation throughout the first half of the season gives the most favorable conditions for full growth and maturity, and fosters the moisture in the soil for the use of the plant.

4. The varieties of corn that have proven best in the Station tests are as follows: FLINTS-Landreth's Extra Early, King Philip, Early Canada, Yellow Smut Nose, Chadwick, Blue Blade, Self-husking, Pride of Dakota; DENTS-Lovelands, Hughson's, Gold Coin, Davis' White and Dakota King. All of the above varieties, planted at different intervals in May, have matured with us by the twelfth day of September.

The potato crop is an important one to the Dakota farmer and its proportion in the system of mixed farming which the State is fast approaching, might be profitably increased. The average price of potatoes for the past four years at this market has been forty-five cents per bushel and the average yield of the general crop on the College farm 143 bushels per acre, making it a very profitable crop. The soil here produces potatoes of the best quality and almost entirely free from disease, The Station experiments have been mainly in the line of variety tests and methods of cultivation, although methods of preparing seed and planting have also been given some consideration. The following is a summary of general results:

1. Early planting gives uniformly the largest yield of merchantable potatoes.

2. Thorough preparation of the ground, deep plowing and planting and frequent cultivation in the early part of the season, are important elements in potato culture,

3. The best variety of early potatoes tried by the Station is the Vanguard, then follows in the order named Early Harvest, Early Ohio and Chicago Market. For the main crop the Polaris excels, but it is closely followed by Beauty of Hebron. Hughson's Rose, The Thorburn, Warner's Rural Blush and the Snowflake family.

Different prominent breeds of live stock have been kept to determine their comparative adaptability to the climatic

conditions of the State under the same treatment and to show the comparative value of their grades and crosses for different purposes. One special feature of the latter work with sheep has been in the mixture of the Shropshire and Merino blood. The result is quite satisfactory. The crossbred Shropshire-Merino sheep holds, in a great measure, the fleece of the Merino, while it takes to a large degree, the size, mutton quality, fecundity and hardiness of the Shropshire.

DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY, HORTI

CULTURE AND BOTANY.

CHARLES A. KEFFER, SUPERINTENDENT.

The experiments in fruit, vegetable and tree culture have been pursued on the same lines as during the previous two years. In November 1889 a bulletin (No. 15) on Forestry was issued, which contained a resume of the work in forest tree growing up to that date, with suggestions for the planting and cultivation of tree claims, and notes on varieties adapted to South Dakota. Last Spring between five and six acres were added to the forest plantation. The varieties used were the Acer dasycarpum (silver maple,) Negundo aceroides (box elder,) Ulmus Americana (white elm.) Fraxinus viridis (green ash,) Populus certinensis (a Russian poplar,) Carya alba (shell bark hickory,) Carya amara (bitter hickory.) An acre and a half was planted to forest tree seeds of many varieties, including several species of oak, walnut, butternut, the hickories, elm, ash, maple, cherry, sycamore, basswood, wild plum and others. A plat of about half an acre was planted with Scotch pines and additions were made to the evergreen nurseries.

In small fruit culture three new plantations of strawberries were made in May 1890. One of these was composed of thirty new varieties of strawberries, including all

the more promising sorts. From twenty-five to fifty plants of each variety were set, but owing to unfavorable weather during planting and for two weeks thereafter, only a partial stand was secured. The other plantations were of Crescent, Windsor, May King, Wilson, Downing, Glendale and Mt. Vernon, varieties that had already shown promise in our grounds, but which it is thought best to test further.

A large plantation of red and black raspberries including all sorts that have proven hardy in Michigan, was set in April, but owing to dry weather at the time of planting, they did not succeed, with the exception of Turner and Cuthbert, plants of which were taken from old plantations in our grounds.

Additions were also made to the experimental cherry and plum orchard.

In gardening special attention is being given this season to the following vegetables: Cauliflower, cabbage, sweet corn, cucumbers, squashes and tomatoes. A large number of varieties of peas, peppers, lettuce, radishes, beets, carrots and other garden vegetables is also being cultivated, with a view to determining comparative value as to quality, yield, adaptability to our climate, etc.

In Botany a good beginning has been made in collecting and naming the native grasses and herbaceous plants generally. In connection with the Department of Chemis try, it is our purpose to make a complete collection of the native grasses of the State, and determine their feeding value. During the present season all the early blooming grasses in this vicinity have been secured. and last year many of the later flowering species were obtained. A study of the weeds of the State is under way, and specimens of all of the noxious weeds of this vicinity have been secured. Numerous inquiries concerning troublesome weeds, received from all parts of North and South Dakota, show the importance of a careful and thorough investigation of the weeds of the State. It is hoped sufficient material for a Bulletin on the subject can be secured during the coming

year.

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY.

JAS. H. SHEPARD, CHEMIST.

The examination of potable waters was continued until finally the samples received were all from neglected wells and from new wells that were similar to those already examined.

Several samples of peat were analyzed with reference to their fuel value. A company has been organized to work the peat deposits which are in the vicinity of Gary.

Two samples of soft coal and two samples of wood were analyzed to determine their value as fuels.

Ten samples of sugar beets from the College farm were analyzed and the results were published in a Bulletin. The seed for this crop came from American sources and the results were only moderately fair.

Work was begun on samples of native grasses for the purpose of determining their feeding value. Work in this direction has been much hampered by lack of adequate laboratory room. About twelve samples have been com