The crop was harvested October 22. The entire season was remarkable for its exceptional coolness in July, and its abundance of rain. The leaves retained even to the time of harvesting a considerable degree of vitality. Carrots (Danver's Yellow). This crop occupied an area of 109 by 70 feet; the field was manured in the same way and with the same quantity of fine-ground bones and muriate of potash as the one which served for the raising of the above-mentioned varieties of roots. The soil was in both instances practically of a corresponding character, and in a corresponding state of fertilization. The seed was planted in rows, fourteen inches apart, June 1. The young plants appeared above ground June 17; the crop was kept clean from weeds by the use of the hand and the cultivator. The roots were harvested October 31; they amounted to 6,850 pounds, or 137 bushels, at 50 pounds each, which is equal to 19.52 tons per acre. Samples of all the varieties of roots raised at the Station have been carefully collected and at once photographed, to present a concise idea of their peculiarity, as far as their exterior is concerned. Analyses of each kind will be presented later on. Three samples of every variety, representing the largest, middle and smallest size of each, served the photographer. The picture was in each case taken at a corresponding distance, to allow comparison of size. The weight of each is also stated. TABULAR STATEMENT OF Weights of Roots PHOTOGRAPHED. VI. NOTES ON MISCELLANEOUS FIELD WORK. Aside from the strictly experimental work on our older field, much preparatory work has been carried on during the past year on our more recent addition of lands. The older field, which has been for six years under our control, is located along the west side of the highway leading from Amherst to North Amherst; it covers an area of about twenty acres, including the grounds occupied by the present buildings of the Experiment Station. The more recent addition of lands (1886) is located along the east side of the highway; it covers an area of thirty acres, of which ten acres are occupied by a natural forest growth. The entire field forms the western slope of a prominent elevation. Most of the cultivated portion, which consisted of old grass lands, is gradually slanting towards the north-west, while a considerable portion of it is nearly on a level, with a slight depression towards the north. The entire area, consisting essentially of a good gravelly loam, admits of a satisfactory management of the work to be carried on upon it. The steeper portion along the wood land will be used for experiments with large and small fruits, the adjoining part towards the west for experiments with general farm crops, and the more level western termination for permanent grass lands. This plan for its future use was adopted after taking possession of the grounds in 1886. As the lands along the slope are somewhat springy, and as its lower portion has at times to convey to the north a considerable amount of water coming from adjoining southern hillsides, a thorough system of underdraining was at once devised, and in its essential direction carried out, before any of the sod was turned over. Subsequently, during the autumn of 1886, the northern end of the entire field, to the extent of twelve acres, was ploughed; while the ploughing of the southern terminus of the field, comprising eight acres of old grass land, was for financial considerations reserved for a year later (1887). The ploughed lands were thoroughly treated with a wheel harrow during the succeeding spring, before planting. Wood ashes, at the rate of one ton per acre, was the only fertilizer used during the first season. This mode of manuring these lands was adopted for the purpose of assisting in a rapid decomposition of a rank growth, and of bringing the soil, as far as practicable, to a corresponding state of fertilization in the interest of future experiments. A variety of crops was subsequently planted, with the main aim to secure, in every instance, a thorough mechanical working of the soil by drill cultivation or by the use of the hoe. Several varieties of barley and of oats, corn, potatoes, squashes, and a variety of other garden crops, occupied the field. The periodical stirring of the soil promised to free the land from a foul growth, which in the course of time naturally overruns old grass lands. During the month of September about seven acres of the entire cultivated area were prepared for a permanent meadow, and seeded down with a mixture of herd's grass and red-top; some varieties of clover were added the succeeding spring (1888). The southern end of the field, which had still served, as above stated, for the production of hay, was turned over late in the season, to be prepared during the succeeding spring for future experiments in the same manner as the north end. 1888. The preparatory work has been continued in all parts of this field. The exceptional rainfall has seriously tested the capacity of our drain tiles; they have stood the test, on the whole, satisfactorily. Needed alterations have been attended to, and the prospects are that no further serious trouble may be expected. No fertilizers but wood ashes have been used thus far. Drill cultivation has been generally adopted, to assist in future cultivation. Several acres of oats, barley and corn have been raised, to assist in the support of feeding experiments. The permanent grass lands have been increased here to from nine to ten acres. Definite grass mixtures have been used as seed, to test their respective merits in our locality. The results will be carefully watched, from a botanical as well as from an economical stand-point. An orchard will be laid out during the coming year. The subsequent statement contains an enumeration of the principal crops raised in different parts of the farm, on lands either permanently assigned for the production of fodder for the live stock of the Station, or engaged in a course of preparation for future experiments: Crops for ensilage (corn, 9 tons; Soja bean, cow-pea and Hungarian grass, 3 tons), 7 41 2 41 13 . Potatoes (mainly Beauty of Hebron, Early Rose and Polaris), 260 bush. From four to five acres of Southern cow-pea, Soja bean, horse bean, lupine and buckwheat have been subjected to drill cultivation, for the purpose of renovating old grass lands and to serve ultimately as green manure. NEW LAWS FOR THE REGULATION OF THE SALE OF COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. WORK IN THE CHEMICAL DEPARTMENT. I. FERTILIZER LAWS AND FERTILIZER ANALYSES. The Legislature of 1888, at the suggestion of the State Board of Agriculture, has enacted a new law, entitled, " An Act to regulate the Sale of Commercial Fertilizers," chapter 296. This Act, which has been in operation since Sept. 1, 1888, assigns the supervision of the sale of commercial fertilizers to the director of the Massachusetts State Agricultural Experiment Station at Amherst, Mass. The provisions of the Act are as follows: [Chap. 296.] AN ACT TO REGULATE THE SALE OF COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. Be it enacted, etc., as follows: SECTION 1. Every lot or parcel of commercial fertilizer or material used for manurial purposes, sold, offered or exposed for sale within this Commonwealth, the retail price of which is ten dollars or more per ton, shall be accompanied by a plainly printed statement, clearly and truly certifying the number of net pounds of fertilizer in the package, the name, brand or trade mark under which the fertilizer is sold, the name and address of the manufacturer or importer, the place of manufacture, and a chemical analysis stating the percentage of nitrogen or its equivalent in ammonia, of potash soluble in distilled water, and of phosphoric acid in available form soluble in distilled water and reverted, as well as the total phosphoric acid. In the case of those fertilizers |