Seed of Thorburn's Gilt Cauliflower. Edge was sown in the hot bed March 6, and transplanted April 30. First heads were ready for use July 14; fourteen out of fifteen plants formed heads. One head weighed one pound and four ounces and measured six by three inches. One head weighed one pound ten ounces and measured seven by three inches. One head, picked August 3, three pounds five ounces, measured ten by three and five-tenths inches. For a trial of one season, it has given good satisfaction. The tool house erected the past season is 24 by 50 feet and enables us to protect all farm implements from sun and storm, which will prove a great saving in a few years. Many American. farmers lose enough annually to make a large payment on their taxes. The first story is used for general farm implements, the second for light tools and storage for alfalfa and grain samples. The The latter can be well dried or handled in stormy weather. roller doors the entire length of the building and on both sides are of great practical help. A team can be driven in on either side of the building and taken out on the opposite side-never stopping to back. Implements can be taken out on either side or both sides at the same time. Exhibits. The work on exhibits has greatly exceeded that of any other year and has been very satisfactory in its results. The first section for the Columbian Exposition was forwarded March 31. This was for the Experiment Station Exhibit, crop alcove, in charge of Prof. Plumb of Indiana. The second section in connection with the State exhibit was shipped April 15, and was in immediate charge of Commissioner James A. Yerington. In September a third shipment was made, consisting of potatoes, grain and garden products, together with cheese kindly donated by the Hon. Theo. Winters, and honey furnished by several of the enterprising beekeepers of Reno. Considering the short time for preparation, and the small amount of money at command, Nevada's exhibit at the World's Fair was very creditable. An exhibit was made at the State Fair held in Reno and also at the District Fair held in Carson. One grain card, forty by sixty inches, shown at these fairs was a duplicate of the cards sent to Chicago. Two shipments of threshed grain, head samples and bundles, also, grasses, alfalfa and broom corn have been made to the Midwinter Fair. Experiment Grounds. Efficient service was rendered by all working at the grounds this season. Commendable work was performed during vacation by University students S. Durkee and Chas. Magill. Respectfully submitted, R. H. McDOWELL. DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY. To the Director of the Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station: SIR-It is my pleasure to submit herewith the report of the Department of Chemistry for the year 1893. As was the case in 1892, the work of this department for the past year has been general in its nature, and the sames lines of work have been followed out. Attention has been given, especially, to soil analyses and a study of the character of our soils and their adaptation to agricultural purposes. This is of especial value to the State at this time, and a full discussion of the subject will appear in a bulletin to be issued in the near future. The sugar beet question has been under consideration the past year, for the third season, and the splendid results, showing the quality of our beets for sugar production obtained in previous trials, have been fully sustained. There seems to be no good reason why the development of the sugar industry in this State should not receive the immediate attention of capitalists, for we have the facilities, and no better beets can be raised anywhere. The interest in dairying throughout the State has greatly increased and we feel that the efforts of the department in behalf of this industry have not been in vain. A number of farmers have purchased milk testers, and are pursuing a systematic course of weeding out the poor milkers from their herds. The Bulletin No. 16 on "The Creamery Industry” has been in such demand that we were obliged to issue a second edition. Several newspaper bulletins on practical subjects have been issued during the year, and from time to time articles from this department, treating of timely topics in agriculture and agricultural chemistry, have appeared in the papers of the State. During the Summer months the laboratory was closed, owing to the writer's taking charge of the Chemical Department of the Cooperative Exhibit of American Agricultural Colleges and Experiment Stations at the World's Fair, in compliance with a request from the office of Experiment Stations at Washington, D. C. In September we made the usual exhibit at the Nevada State Fair. The exhibit this year was much more extensive than last year, and attracted a great deal of attention. The same exhibit was shown at the District Fair in Carson City. |