Forestry

In this Bulletin an effort will be made to give an accurate history of the work in forest tree culture for the past year, together with observations on plantations visited, and suggestions based upon them. The tables included show the growth of the different species during the several months of 1889 and 1890, and they should be studied in connection with the weather record for the two years

Notes on the Growth of Trees in the College Grounds

The following notes on the growth of the trees in the Agricultural College grounds are given as showing the action of different varieties under similar conditions. The trees were planted one and two years ago, having been shipped from Lake City, Minn., a town· on the Mississippi River. They were placed in what is destined to be the campus, and having been set in irregular groups, with a view to ultimate landscape effect, it was impossible to give them much cultivation. They were carefully planted, liberally mulched with coarse manure, and left with but little care until September last. The campus occupies the summit and slopes of a slight ridge, and being exposed to winds on all sides, the trees were so blown as to make holes at their bases, in many instances as much as six inches deep and three inches in diameter. In September the mulch was removed from the trees and the ground about them was firmly tamped, after which the mulch was replaced and the trees left for the winter

The Germination of Frosted Grain

A number of letters have been received requesting information on the value of frosted and stack burned grain for seed. There is submitted here with a tabulated statement of the results of tests of eighteen samples of grain, including two samples of barley, one of oats, and fifteen of wheat. Different methods for determining the percentage of germination were employed. Fifty seeds of each sample were drilled in black soil, in shallow boxes, which were then placed in the propagating house, where they would have a gentle bottom heat. The soil used was taken from a field that had never been manured

No. 6 -- Meteorological Tables May--November, to accompany Garden Notes and other Field Observations. No. 7 - Notes on Small Fruits, the Orchard, and Ornamental Plants

By the establishment of a volunteer weather station at the Dakota Agricultural College by the United States Signal Service, the Experiment Station of that College is able to publish the following tables of meteorology. The instruments could not be obtained and set up earlier than May 17, 1888, and even then only a part of them. Fuller observations are now taken and will be continued. These tables, however, though imperfect, throw some light upon the bulletins descriptive of the growth of the garden vegetables, com and other grains, as well as the forestry and fruit trees

Forest Trees, Fruits and Vegetables

This Bulletin contains suggestions for methods of planting forest trees, street and lawn trees, orchard and small fruits and garden vegetables, with notes on varieties suitable for cultivation in South Dakota. In April, r888, a Bulletin on Arbor Day: Why to Plant, What to Plant, How to Plant\u27\u27 was issued by this Station. Since that time thirteen acres of forest trees and about six acres of fruit trees have been planted at the Station, and thus a beginning has been made in sylva-culture and orcharding

Strawberry, Sand Cherry and Orchard Notes

A careful study of the leading old varieties of the strawberry, as grown at this station during the past three years, leads to indications that are of interest to the farmers of the state, not because the indications suggest the successful cultivation of this delicious fruit, but because of their negative value, and because they illustrate one 0£ the principal difficulties that our climate presents to the fruit grower

Forestry

The work of experimentation in forestry has been pursued during the past season under the same unfavorable conditions that have troubled the farmers over the greater portion of the state. Insects have attacked our trees, and the fall was dry, and the spring was dry and cold. In order to give the most accurate basis possible from which the judge the results of the work, a few items from the meteorological record are inserted

Meteorological Tables, May---November, to Accompany Garden Notes and other Reports of Field Observations

By the establishment of a volunteer weather station at the Dakota Agricultural College by the United States Signal Service, the Experiment Station of that College is able to publish the following tables of meteorology. The instruments could not be obtained and set up earlier than May 17, 1888, and even then only a part of them. Fuller observations are now taken and will be continued. These tables, however, though imperfect, throw some light upon the bulletins descriptive of the growth of the garden vegetables, com and other grains, as well as the forestry and fruit trees

Forestry

Scarcely more than a beginning was been made in forestry operations at this station, but the work is of such importance, and the general interest in all subjects connected with tree growing is so great, that it would seem best to describe the work in detail. In the nature of the case, experiments in practical forestry require for their completion a series of years, so that any observations made before their completion must be suggestive, rather than conclusive. And it is a wise precaution on the part of the reader to note carefully the recorded conditions before coming to a conclusion as to the value of results. In the month of October 1887, a plat of ground containing about three acres, lying north of the college buildings, was planted with tree seeds, the intention being to permit the trees to stand where they grew, and thus secure a windbreak for the buildings and campus. The ground used is at the crest of a slight elevation which slopes to the west for about half a mile, to a small creek. The soil is black with a stiff yellow clay subsoil in which there is a little sand. While not “hard pan” this subsoil is far from being porous in the usually accepted meaning of the word. The same soil is found in all the plantations of this department, and is most common in this part of Dakota

Announcements and Reports of Progress of Work in the Departments of Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture and Entomology

This bulletin of the Dakota Experiment Station is simply a midsummer report of progress and an announcement to the farmers of the Territory of the experiments that are receiving attention. When the season closes, bulletins will be issued stating in detail the methods of the experiments, and so far as possible all reliable results. Most of the experiments are for the purpose of throwing light upon the relations of our climate to various kinds of cereals, forage crops, fruits and garden vegetables. Any farmer in the territory who desires the bulletins of the station can have them mailed free to him by sending in his address. The press of the territory can do a favor to the station and to the people by giving this notice wide publicity. Correspondence is also invited upon any question relating to farm interests. Questions relating to farm crops or stock should be addressed to Professor Foster; questions relating to tree culture or to gardening should be addressed to Professor Keffer; questions relating to insects should be addressed to Dr. Orcutt questions concerning the chemical composition of soils or waters should be addressed to Professor Shepard, and questions about the diseases of animals and their treatment should be addressed to Dr. Alloway,-all at Brookings, Dakota