RESULTS OF CO-OPERATIVE EXPERIMENTS IN 1903.

The following are the average results of the cooperative experiments which were successfully conducted throughout the Province of Ontario within the past year:

The market value of field roots grown in Ontario last year amounted to upwards of $10,000,000. The growth of fodder crops in the Province is increasing year by year; the market value of fodder corn alone being something over $5,000,000 in 1902. The Bureau of Industries of Ontario does not place a market value on the pasture produced in Ontario, but we find that in 1902 there were nearly three million acres of pasture land. The market value of the hay crop for the same year was slightly over $40,000,000. FIELD ROOTS AND FODDER CROPS.

Mangels. Three varieties of mangels, namely, Sutton's Mammoth Long Red, Yellow Leviathan, and Cornish Giant Yellow Globe, were distributed for cooperative experiments in 1903. These represent three distinct classes, namely, the long, the intermediate, and the globe. Although the Sutton's Mammoth Long Red gave 61 bushels of roots per acre more than the Yellow Leviathan, the last named variety was considerably the most popular among the experiment ers. This variety has given exceptionally isfactory varieties of mangels grown in Ontario at the present time. The seed was obhigh results in the experiments at the college, and, apparently, is one of the most sattained from D. M. Ferry. Windsor, Ontario. The Cornish Giant Yellow Globe gave a yield of 18 bushels per acre less than the Yellow Leviathan.

Sugar Beets for Feeding Purposes. Previous to 1900, one variety of sugar beets was included in the experiment with mangels, but it was thought advisable in 1900 to make a distinct experiment with sugar beets, and, therefore, two varieties from among

some thirteen different kinds which had been tested at the Agricultural College were selected for the co-operative tests. For that year, the Danish Improved and the White Silesian were used, and the results showed that the yield per acre from the two varieties was practically the same, but the Danish Improved was more popular than the White Silesian in the estimation of the experimenters. In 1901, in 1902, and again in 1903, the Danish Improved and the Kleinwanzlebener were the two varieties included in the cooperative tests. The Kleinwanzlebener is the variety which is perhaps used more extensively than any other variety for the production of sugar in America. According to analyses made at the College in 1901 and 1902, the Kleinwanzlebener gave an average of 16.9 per cent., and the Danish Improved, 11.4 per cent. of sugar. In the average yield per acre of the experiments conducted throughout Ontario, the Kleinwanzlebener was surpassed by the Danish Improved by 168 bushels in 1901, 140 bushels in 1902, and 157 bushels of roots per acre in 1903. The two varieties used in the co-operative experiments were grown from an agricultural standpoint, and not from the standpoint of sugar production. The roots were grown in rows 25 inches apart, and the plants were thin. ned to a distance of 10 inches apart in the rows. As the Kleinwanzlebener gave an average of 22.3 tons per acre in 1901, 22 tons per acre in 1902, and 22.3 tons per acre in 1903, it will be seen that even this variety can be grown throughout Ontario to.give comparatively high yields per acre.

Swede Turnips. The Sutton's Magnum Bonum, which is an English variety, has given very satisfactory results in the co-operative experiments throughout Ontario, occupying first place in yield of roots per acre in three out of the past four years. In 1903, not only did it give a larger yield per acre, but it was the most popular variety in the estimation of the experimenters. The Hartley's Bronze Top, a good old variety, was surpassed this year by the Sutton's Magnum Bonum variety by about 58 bushels per acre.

Fall Turnips and Kohl Rabi. Two varieties of fall turnips and one of Kohl Rabi were distributed in 1903 for cooperative experiments, but no satisfactory reports of carefully-conducted experiments with these roots have been received.

Field Carrots and Parsnips. In 1902, the Bruce's Mammoth Intermediate Carrot headed the list in yield of roots per acre. Seed of this variety was secured in the spring of 1903, but, owing to poor germination, it was not distributed. The Pearce's Improved Half Long White and the Improved Short White varieties were used for the co-operative experiments this year, the first named variety proving the best yielder and the most popular. The best variety of parsnips which had been grown at the college came far short of the best variety of carrots in yield of roots throughout Ontario in 1903.

Fodder Corn. The Mastadon Dent, Wisconsin Earliest White Dent, and White Cap Yellow Dent varieties of corn were used for testing on the farms of Ontario in 1903. For the production of fodder, the Wisconsin Earliest White Dent was the most popular among the experimenters. It, however, gave an average yield of 134 tons per acre less than the Mastadon Dent, and nearly one ton per acre more than the White Cap Yellow Dent. It is a variety which reaches about the right stage of maturity through the central part of Ontario for fodder or silage use, and it produces a very large yield of ears, thus making fodder or silage of excellent quality. The Mastadon Dent is considerably later, and the White Cap Yellow Dent fully as early as the Wisconsin Earliest White Dent.

Millet. The co-operative experiments show very peculiar results from the growing of millet in 1903. The Hungarian Grass has been surpassed by both Japanese varieties of millets in each of the four years previous to 1903. In the average results of the past five years, both Japanese varieties have given decidedly larger yields per acre than

the Hungarian Grass. It will be noticed that the yields per acre of the millet in 1903 were exceedingly low, owing, no doubt, to the weather being unfavorable to the full development of this crop. 1

Sorghum. Only one good report on sorghum has been received this year. This indicates, as formerly, that the Early Amber Sugar Cane produced the greatest, and the Millo Maize the smallest yield per acre of the three varieties used in the cooperative tests.

Grass Peas. and Vetches. Contrary to the results of each of the four years previous to 1903, the Hairy Vetches were surpassed in yield per acre by the Common Vetches in the tests of the past season. Usually the Hairy Vetches give higher yield per acre than either the Common Vetches or the Grass peas, but, owing to the peculiar weather conditions of the past season, the Hairy Vetches came second in yield of green crops per acre.

Rape. The Dwarf Bonanza Rape was distributed in 1903 for the first time, and the results of two tests show that it produced an average yield of about two tons per acre more than the Dwarf Essex variety.

Clover. As the average of nine tests of growing clover during the second year after seeding, the first cutting produced 4 tons per acre from the Mammoth Red, 2 3-3 tons per acre from the Alsike, and 2 1-10 tons per acre from the Common Red variety. Lucerne, Sainfoin, and Burnet. As these crops usually remain in the land for a good many years, we hope to obtain some good results from these experiments in a few years' time. In the results so far, the Lucerne has given decidedly better results in yield per acre than either the Sainfoin or the Burnet.

Grasses. Some very interesting experiments with grasses are being conducted, but not many returns have yet been received after the grasses have become thoroughly established. We hope in the near future to be able to obtain some good information from this experiment. In the average of some eight tests of the second year's growth after seeding, it was found that the Tall Oat produced 2.7; Timothy, 2.6; Meadow Fescue, 2.1; and Orchard Grass, 1.9 tons of hay per acre.

Autumn Sowing of Winter Rye, Hairy Vetches, and Crimson Clover as Fodder Crops. An interesting co-operative experiment was made for the first time by sowing Winter Rye, Hairy Vetches, and Crimson Clover in the autumn for the purpose of producing green fodder in the following summer. The reports show that the Crimson Clover received the greatest injury from the early spring frosts. The highest individual yields were produced by the Hairy Vetches, In the average results, however, the Winter Rye surpassed the Hairy Vetches by 420 pounds of green fodder per acre, but the quality of the feed of the latter was superior to that of the former. In ten out of a dozen tests, the Hairy Vetches were eaten readily by farm animals, and seemed particularly suitable as a feed for hogs. A Bruce farmer reported that "the Hairy Vetches gave a large yield, and were relished by all classes of animals."

METHODS OF PLANTING CORN.

For four years an experiment has been conducted throughout Ontario in planting corn in squares, or hills, in comparison with planting corn in rows, or drills. The same amount of seed was used in both cases. The rows were three feet apart, and the grains of corn nine inches apart in the rows, and the hills three feet apart each way, having four kernels in each hill. Each plot was four rods square, thus containing sixteen square rods, or one-tenth of an acre. In every year that the experiment has been conducted, the average results have been some what in favor of planting in squares, or hills;

some thirteen different kinds which had been tested at the Agricultural College were selected for the co-operative tests. For that year, the Danish Improved and the White Silesian were used, and the results showed that the yield per acre from the two varieties was practically the same, but the Danish Improved was more popular than the White Silesian in the estimation of the experimenters. In 1901, in 1902, and again in 1903, the Danish Improved and the Kleinwanzlebener were the two varieties included in the cooperative tests. The Kleinwanzlebener is the variety which is perhaps used more extensively than any other variety for the production of sugar in America. According to analyses made at the College in 1901 and 1902, the Kleinwanzlebener gave an average of 16.9 per cent., and the Danish Improved, 11.4 per cent. of sugar. In the average yield per acre of the experiments conducted throughout Ontario, the Kleinwanzlebener surpassed by the Danish Improved by 168 bushels in 1901, 140 bushels in 1902, and 157 bushels of roots per acre in 1903. The two varieties used in the co-operative experiments were grown from an agricultural standpoint, and not from the standpoint of sugar production. The roots were grown in rows 25 inches apart, and the plants were thinned to a distance of 10 inches apart in the rows. As the Kleinwanzlebener gave an average of 22.3 tons per acre in 1901, 22 tons per acre in 1902, and 22.3 tons per acre in 1903, it will be seen that even this variety can be grown throughout Ontario to.give comparatively high yields per acre.

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Swede Turnips. The Sutton's Magnum Bonum, which is an English variety, has given very satisfactory results in the co-operative experiments throughout Ontario, occupying first place in yield of roots per acre in three out of the past four years. In 1903, not only did it give a larger yield per acre, but it was the most popular variety in the estimation of the experimenters. The Hartley's Bronze Top, a good old variety, was surpassed this year by the Sutton's Magnum Bonum variety by about 58 bushels per acre.

Fall Turnips and Kohl Rabi. Two varieties of fall turnips and one of Kohl Rabi were distributed in 1903 for cooperative experiments, but no satisfactory reports of carefully-conducted experiments with these roots have been received.

Field Carrots and Parsnips. In 1902, the Bruce's Mammoth Intermediate Carrot headed the list in yield of roots per acre. Seed of this variety was secured in the spring of 1903, but, owing to poor germination, it was not distributed. The Pearce's Improved Half Long White and the Improved Short White varieties were used for the co-operative experiments this year, the first named variety proving the best yielder and the most popular. The best variety of parsnips which had been grown at the college came far short of the best variety of carrots in yield of roots throughout Ontario in 1903.

Fodder Corn. The Mastadon Dent, Wisconsin Earliest White Dent, and White Cap Yellow Dent varieties of corn were used for testing on the farms of Ontario in 1903. For the production of fodder, the Wisconsin Earliest White Dent was the most popular among the experimenters. It, however, gave an average yield of 134 tons per acre less than the Mastadon Dent, and nearly one ton per acre more than the White Cap Yellow Dent. It is a variety which reaches about the right stage of maturity through the central part of Ontario for fodder or silage use, and it produces a very large yield of ears, thus making fodder or silage of excellent quality. The Mastadon Dent is considerably later, and the White Cap Yellow Dent fully as early as the Wisconsin Earliest White Dent.

Millet. The co-operative experiments show very peculiar results from the growing of millet in 1903. The Hungarian Grass has been surpassed by both Japanese varieties of millets in each of the four years previous to 1903. In the average results of the past five years, both Japanese varieties have given decidedly larger yields per acre than

the Hungarian Grass. It will be noticed that the yields per acre of the millet in 1903 were exceedingly low, owing, no doubt, to the weather being unfavorable to the full development of this crop.

Sorghum. Only one good report on sorghum has been received this year. This indicates, as formerly, that the Early Amber Sugar Cane produced the greatest, and the Millo Maize the smallest yield per acre of the three varieties used in the cooperative tests.

Grass Peas. and Vetches. Contrary to the results of each of the four years previous to 1903, the Hairy Vetches were surpassed in yield per acre by the Common Vetches in the tests of the past season. Usually the Hairy Vetches give higher yield per acre than either the Common Vetches or the Grass peas, but, owing to the peculiar weather conditions of the past season, the Hairy Vetches came second in yield of green crops

per acre.

Rape. The Dwarf Bonanza Rape was distributed in 1903 for the first time, and the results of two tests show that it produced an average yield of about two tons per acre more than the Dwarf Essex variety.

Clover. As the average of nine tests of growing clover during the second year after seeding, the first cutting produced 4 tons per acre from the Mammoth Red, 2 3-3 tons per acre from the Alsike, and 2 1-10 tons per acre from the Common Red variety. Lucerne, Sainfoin, and Burnet. As these crops usually remain in the land for a good many years, we hope to obtain some good results from these experiments in a few years' time. In the results so far, the Lucerne has given decidedly better results in yield per acre than either the Sainfoin or the Burnet.

Grasses. Some very interesting experiments with grasses are being conducted, but not many returns have yet been received after the grasses have become thoroughly established. We hope in the near future to be able to obtain some good information from this experiment. In the average of some eight tests of the second year's growth after seeding, it was found that the Tall Oat produced' 2.7; Timothy, 2.6; Meadow Fescue, 2.1; and Orchard Grass, 1.9 tons of hay per acre.

Autumn Sowing of Winter Rye, Hairy Vetches, and Crimson Clover as Fodder Crops. An interesting co-operative experiment was made for the first time by sowing Winter Rye, Hairy Vetches, and Crimson Clover in the autumn for the purpose of producing green fodder in the following summer. The reports show that the Crimson Clover received the greatest injury from the early spring frosts. The highest individual yields were produced by the Hairy Vetches. In the average results, however, the Winter Rye surpassed the Hairy Vetches by 420 pounds of green fodder per acre, but the quality of the feed of the latter was superior to that of the former. In ten out of a dozen tests, the Hairy Vetches were eaten readily by farm animals, and seemed particularly suitable as a feed for hogs. A Bruce farmer reported that "the Hairy Vetches gave a large yield, and were relished by all classes of animals."

METHODS OF PLANTING CORN.

For four years an experiment has been conducted throughout Ontario in planting corn in squares, or hills, in comparison with planting corn in rows, or drills. The same amount of seed was used in both cases. The rows were three feet apart, and the grains of corn nine inches apart in the rows, and the hills three feet apart each way, having four kernels in each hill. Each plot was four rods square, thus containing sixteen square rods, or one-tenth of an acre. In every year that the experiment has been conducted, the average results have been some what in favor of planting in squares, or hills;