10 



DKY-LAND GRAINS IN THE GREAT BASIN. 



drill being used. The soil on the substation is fairly uniform, and check 

 plats are planted — all to the same variety — in various parts of the 

 field, to indicate any soil differences. This makes it possible to get 

 results sufficiently reliable to warrant the selection of particular varie- 

 ties as superior to others. During the growing season the grain varie- 

 ties are usually harrowed at least once to break up the crust formed 

 on the soil during the winter. 



SUPERIORITY OF WINTER VARIETIES. 



In the Mountain States, where the rainfall is lowest during the 

 summer months, winter varieties almost invariably produce higher 

 yields than those planted in the spring. At the substation the winter- 

 wheat varieties have outyielded the spring wheats from 30 to 300 per 

 cent. 



Table III gives the average yields of the winter and spring varieties 

 of wheat during the past six years. 



Table III. — Average yield to (he acre of irintcr and spring varieties of wheat grown at 



Nephi, Utah, from 1904 to 1909, inclusive. 



a Bulletin 100, Utah Agricultural Experiment Statjon. 



Table III shows a difference of 7.04 bushels to the acre in favor of 

 the winter wheats. These figures, together with the fact that these 

 wheats have the advantages of longer straw, greater uniformity, and 

 earlier time of ripening, leave absolutely no doubt that they are to be 

 much preferred. Whether the same preference should be shown the 

 winter oats and barleys is not so certain as yet. Experiments with 

 these grains will be discussed later. 



LEADING VARIETIES OF GRAIN. 



WINTER WHEATS. 



Of the 60 varieties tested, the Turkey wheat (G. I. No. 2998°) has 

 been the highest yielder. At the time cooperative work was started, 

 July, 1907, only 9 winter wheats were under test. Since then 51 

 varieties and strains have been added. The Turkey (G. I. No. 2998) 



[CIr. 61] 



oGrain Investigations Number. 



