DRY-LAND GRAINS IN THE GREAT BASIN, 2Y 



meet both these conchtions depends on the condition of the soil and 

 the quality of the seed. If the seed bed is j)roperly prepared and 

 the seed is well cleaned and pure, from 35 pounds to 45 pounds per 

 acre is sufiicient. Wliether to sow 35 pounds or 45 pounds should 

 be determined by the average size of the kernels to be planted, seed 

 consisting of large kernels requiring the higher rate. 



RATE OF SEEDING SPRING GRAINS. 



While no definite test is conducted at the substation to determine 

 the best rate to seed spring wheat and spring barley, the variety test 

 plats of these grains are ])lanted at the rate of 3 pecks per acre for 

 wheat and 5 pecks per acre for barley. Tliese rates appear to be 

 quite satisfactory. A test was conducted in 1909 with Sixty-Day 

 and Swedish Select oats in which each variety was planted at the rate 

 of 4, 5, and 6 pecks to the acre. The differences in yields were not 

 large, but the thinner seeding, 4 pecks per acre, gave somewhat better 

 yields and indicated that 5 pecks and 6 pecks are rather high rates, 

 especially in a very dry season like 1909. 



DEPTH OF PLANTING. 



The results in testing the best depth of planting have been rather 

 variable. Plats are i)lanted at the depth of 1^ inches, 3 inches, and 

 6 inches, respectively. Until the test is continued considerably 

 longer positive conclusions are luiwarranted, but the indications favor 

 3 inches as the most desirable ilepth of the three. In 1909 the plat 

 planted 1^ inches deep produced somewhat better than the one 

 planted 6 inches deep. It is believed that 3 inches is sufficiently 

 deep, if the seed bed is well prepared and a good drill is used. 



BROADCASTIMG, COMPARED WITH DRILLING. 



It would naturally be thought that a test of the two methods of 

 j)lanting wheat, broadcasting and drilling, would be unnecessary. 

 There are still a few advocates of the old method of planting by hand, 

 however, and this test is conducted mainly as a demonstration of the 

 inferiority of that method. The plat planted with the drill has in- 

 variably so far outyielded the other as to put the inadvisability of 

 broadcasting beyond all question. The broadcasted plat has aver- 

 aged from 2 bushels to less than 9 bushels to the acre, while the 

 drilled plat has yielded between 20 bushels and 25 bushels per acre. 

 There is no good reason why an}^ dry-land farmer should not use a 

 drill. No matter how small the field is, broadcasting should never 

 be practiced. 



ICir. 61] 



