6 DEY-LAND GRAINS FOR NORTH AND SOUTH DAKOTA. 



In all discussions in this paper the seasonal precipitation is under- 

 stood to be the amount of moisture which falls from March 1 to July 

 31 . In the northern Great Plains the precipitation during this period 

 seems to be more closely related to crop production than does that 

 of any other period. For small grains the August and September 

 rains are usually of no use as far as the crop for that season is con- 

 cerned. On the other hand, the March precipitation if conserved 

 may often be of considerable use. Even for crops which mature late 

 in the season, such as corn, the rainfall previous to August is as 

 important as that which occurs later. In the growing of winter 

 wheat the autumn and winter precipitation must also be considered. 



The differences in soil and climate at Belief ourche, Highmore, and 

 Dickinson do not appear to be great enough to cause very different 

 behavior of the grains. The results agree so closely that many of 

 the same varieties are recommended for the three areas. As much 

 difference is found between Belief ourche, Highmore, and Dickinson 

 as is ordinarily found between other locahties in the northern Great 

 Plains. It follows, therefore, that the results presented are probably 

 apphcable to the greater part of this area. The farmer, no matter 

 where he is located, should study his conditions — soil, rainfall, tem- 

 perature, evaporation, etc. By a comparison of his own conditions 

 with those of the experiment farms and a study of the results obtained 

 he may reach a very reliable conclusion as to the grains which are 

 most likely to succeed on his farm. 



OTHER FACTOBS WHICH HAVE INFLUENCED THE RESULTS. 



At all the experiment farms under discussion the grains have been 

 grown as nearly as possible under field conditions. The ground has 

 been well prepared, although no better than can be done on every 

 well-regulated farm. The preparation has been uniform, so as to 

 secure comparable yields for all varieties. 



At Dickinson and Bellefourche the crops have been grown on new 

 land, with the exception of the barley at Dickinson in 1909, which 

 was grown on corn ground. The usual practice has been to break 

 the land in the spring of the previous year and backset it in the fall. 

 At Highmore the grain has usually been grown on land on which corn 

 or small grain was grown the previous year. Corn ground has been 

 used whenever possible. Before seeding in the spring the ground 

 is disked and harrowed sufficiently to provide a good seed bed. The 

 grain has been sown with a drill, usually a disk drill. 



The rate of seeding has not always been the same for different 

 years. At Bellefourche the durum wheat has usually been sown at 

 the rate of 5 pecks per acre, common spring wheat 4 pecks, and barley 

 and oats 5 and 6 pecks, respectively. In the variety test in 1908 the 



[Cir. 59] 



