AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE.

TO THE DIRECTOR:

SIR: The following report is presented for the year ending December 31, 1897:

Experiments on trial this year have been in several cases a continuation of the tests of former years for the purpose of proving or disproving the results first obtained.

ALFALFA.

At Station No. 2 (State Fair grounds) both the first and second crop was good. A portion of the crop at Station No. I was injured from lack of water.

It would be of material help should we put in a substantial although not costly plant for taking water from the river and elevating it to a small reservoir on the grounds. This would furnish water for Station No. 1, and also furnish an object lesson for students and farmers who would like to duplicate the plant or use the general plan with some modification of detail. We have done a limited amount of note taking on the methods of measuring and weighing alfalfa stacks, but sufficient figures have not been taken for conclusions to be drawn, although to date there appears to be some foundation for the statement of one of our farmers "that for years we have given 2,500 pounds for a ton." Our suggestion would be for farmers to use united action to throw out the "tickle grass"; to cut alfalfa on time-putting up hay that cattle will readily eat-hay that cattlemen like to buy-and then adjust differences of weight and measurement at the first opportunity.

Our own experience in feeding alfalfa that stood a few days too long, becoming a trifle "brushy," is that the steer leaves a large amount in the manger, and does not thrive as he does on alfalfa that was cut in season, perhaps from one-fourth to one-third in bloom. One of our farmers says he rids his fields of "tickle grass" by keeping the water off for a time in the spring and thoroughly cutting the field

with a disc harrow. We have tried this experiment only on a limited scale, but, so far as we have gone, the indications are that the farmer is right.

SUGAR BEETS.

For 1897 we distributed one sack of seed furnished by the Department of Agriculture.

Although we sent out to farmers but a single sack of seed-much less than is sent out on an average-the result of the season's work has been very encouraging, chiefly by reason of the high-grade beets grown by farmers-beets that scored from 78 to 99.7 on a basis of 100 points being perfect, practically models in many instances, with a sugar content ranging from 14 4 to 18.43 per cent, and. a yield per acre varying from 14.4 to 30 tons per acre.

Our Station beets have made a fair yield per acre, with a sugar content in the beet varying from 14.25 to 23.04.

Even in cases of high altitude, and with the sowing necessarily delayed, the sugar content, as judged by the standard of beet-producing centers, was good.

In a farming section having 20,000 acres of land in a body—growing sugar beets that carry from 14.4 to 18.43 per cent of sugar in the beet, together with a reported yield per acre of thirty tons-provided that a field of fifty acres of beets gives returns sustaining the above figures, and granting that fuel, limestone, water and transportation can be satisfactorily arranged for-there would seem to be little ground left for doubting that Nevada has territory where capital can be profitably engaged in the manufacture of sugar from beets.

CORN.

Nevada has not an ideal corn climate, but in the area about Reno, by planting a medium-sized dent corn from April 20th to May 1st, possibly May 8th, in the majority of seasons the ears will ripen. We have good results from planting Pride of the North.

The stalks, when cut in time and run through a cutting box, make good feed. It is improved by throwing in a small amount of bran or pulped roots. In the East, where winter continues for five or six months, the method largely used with corn is to cut when the kernel is in the dough, and run the stalks and ears through a cutting box, producing silage, which is elevated to a tight compartment, sometimes rectangular in form, while many of the late silos are circular.

BROOM CORN.

We grow a very fair quality of broom corn-in limited quantity merely to show the possibilities and allow the public to see the field growth, the brush with the seed on, the seed removed, and the finished broom ready for service and pronounced good by those who have worked the brush.

Foreman R A. Lounsbury made a serviceable broom of regulation This was done without any special machinery for the work, and indicates that farmers can attain the same results. Details with reference to the work will be mailed on application.

EXHIBIT.

The exhibit at the State Fair held in Reno occupied more space than usual.

Of grains, about fifty varieties of wheat, oats and barley were shown; wheat grown with different amounts of irrigation, giving to farmers a practical illustration of the amount and quality that can be secured with a given amount of water; also, corn and broom corn, garden peas, Canada field in quantity, buckwheat, flax, twenty-five varieties of potatoes, fifteen of the best varieties of tomatoes, kale, cabbage, tobacco in growing condition, sugar beets of several varieties, with figures on cards giving the per cent of sugar in Nevada beets, and the average of sugar for three years for Nebraska and California grown beets; also, beet sugar manufactured in Russia and shown at the Columbian Exposition.

By devoting most of the time for the week, both day and evening, to the Pavilion the writer was enabled to talk with many of our citizens from different portions of the State. The natural tendency of these talks on Station crops, varieties and methods, and also the home experience of the citizen, is a better understanding between the Station and the public.

FERTILIZING.

At Station No. 2 the plats were enriched this spring by using fifteen loads per acre of well-composted manure of about 5,800 pounds per load. This item of manure is one that should receive the attention of every farmer. By some the manure pile has been called the farmer's bank. It will pay to plan to save all the manure of the farm, both solid and liquid. In some cases coarse manure may be plowed under in the fall with benefit to a compact clay soil; otherwise coarse manure should

be composted in a pit prepared for the purpose. This may be made by excavating with plow and scraper about three feet in depth and the necessary size (varying with the number of acres and number of animals kept), gradually sloping the ends so that a team can be driven in at one end, across the pit, and out at the opposite end.

To prevent waste by leaking the bottom and sides may be cemented or puddled with clay. To hasten the composting a moderate stream of water may be turned in from the ditch to wet the entire mass, which should be forked over in the pit as the wetting proceeds. We have a fertilizer experiment on trial which consists of sowing one-twelfth of an acre to Canada field peas, one-twelfth to buckwheat, and one-twelfth given to summer fallow. The latter is cultivated once in thirty days. The peas and buckwheat when at full height are plowed under about four weeks in advance of seeding to wheat. This was started for the purpose of trying under Nevada farm conditions a form of manuring that is within the reach of every farmer—one that can be used to help the barnyard manure, and also can be applied more rapidly. The latter item is important in renovating a tract of forty or two hundred

acres.

FEEDING.

Pigs, four in number, have been fed this year. Alfalfa hay was given a trial as a ration; also, whole peas, whole corn and sugar beets. In December feeding was begun with four steers; alfalfa will be fed, and later on some grain will be added.

GROUNDS.

Regular men and students have been faithful in giving help. The removal of rock, the cleaning and recleaning of irrigating ditches, the placing of boxes and checks for irrigation, weed cutting and drawing is a class of work that is very necessary in reaching final results, and yet is scarcely thought of or appreciated for value and amount of labor involved, excepting by those who are immediately connected.

Visitors at the grounds have been more in number than usual, and have expressed pleasure and surprise at the variety and quality of farm and garden crops that Nevada can produce Among the visitors were two gentlemen from Russia who were on a tour of inspection through the United States taking notes on our system of schools, methods of farming, irrigation and machinery. It was a pleasure to show them about, as they were constantly interested and on the alert for informa

tion whether we were looking through the libraries, at the crops and plan of irrigation, farm machinery or a creamery plant. One of these gentlemen owns 15,000 acres of land in his own country, and has 3,000 acres of sugar beets and a beet sugar factory.

FORAGE.

Orchard grass, fall meadow oat and sand vetch make a very fair growth. The latter comes on early in the spring, and will do to cut about May 15th.

For feeding in the valleys the greatest good to the greatest number comes from the use of alfalfa. The only practical competitors that we find to date are red and mammoth clover and cornstalks.

In this we are not speaking at all of range grasses; such grasses as are relished by stock and do well under range conditions are valuable for stockmen.

HOPS.

This crop has been on trial since April 15, 1894. The fourth acre plat will be plowed under next season, with the exception of twɔ rows, which will show to visitors the growth and the system of trellis. At the Station we get nearly 500 pounds of dry hops per acre the first season after planting. Those who have a deep, strong soil and a liking for this branch of farming, with a fair knowledge of the details, including marketing, in advance, will in reasonable probability do well raising hops, provided that the business is started with the intention of continuing it for years. One of the most objectionable features of hop growing is the great fluctuation in price. Farmers who wish information more in detail are referred to our bulletin on the above.

OATS.

We continue to grow this crop, which will always be a valuable article of food either for men or animals; oats, a natural horse feed, either for speed or draft.

The writer is fully aware that many drivers wish more or less barley or corn-too hot for horse feed, but does better for steers and pigs. The Excelsior, Dannebrog, Highbred, Poland White and Hulless do well with us. The latter may be fed to horses in moderate quantity, and when cooked is a very fair substitute for rolled oats.

The Hulless is not a delicate variety that requires special care, but may be sown with a two-horse drill and cut with ordinary harvesting