Kentucky Agricnltnml Experiment Stat-ion. xi
' keep pace with neighboring States, it is absolutely necessary
that we should have more funds and assistance.
Orchard inspection is badly needed in Kentucky as a
protection to the nurseries.
We examined, in 1909, approximately 320 acres of I
nursery and about 9,971,425 trees and plants.
The growth of the work of seed inspection has been
rapid of late, and promises to continue growing for _some
time. We have certainly accomplished something for pure
1 seeds in this State. The samples examined under the law
have been gathered by men traveling for the Food, Feed and
Fertilizer Divisions. The number is not large and the terri-
tory represented not as extensive as it should be, but under
the present arrangements is the best we can do.
For a number of years, we have tested each year
numerous forage plants with a view to learning their pecu-
liarities and their value for the State. "
In this connection, we are also making some forage
.__ plot experiments in Knott County, Kentucky. It is evident
I that such agriculture as is adapted to that section of the
State must depend on some forage plant that will support
stock and serve as a means of preventing the destructive
washing of soils, and of keeping up their fertility. As a
start, and to get information as to the plants likely to suc- I
ceed in the mountains, thirty—one one-tenth-acre plots were
laid out at Hindman and planted with forage plants thought
to promise well. Professor Garman has had charge of this
work. These plots are now in good condition, and we hope
in a few years to be able to give some valuable advice as to
how to preserve and maintain the fertility of the soil in
the mountainous section of Kentucky.
Professor Garman has also made a large number of
bacteriological tests of drinking water. We hope to be
relieved of these examinations after a time, as the State
Board of Health will take up this work.
In addition to our regular seed tests, we have made a
,¤. good many experiments with a view to determining the
conditions under which seeds of grains and clover germi-