484 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



For forage and root crops the season was extremely favorable and for cereals 

 much better than any previous year since 1897, except 1902. There was a more 

 normal rainfall, which, for the six months of the srowins season, amounted to 

 20.G1 inches, as against 18.29 for 1902 and 25.28 for both 1901 and 1903. 



Temperatures ruled low throughout most of the season. The ground became 

 partly bare April 23 and the last trace of snow disappeared five days later; but 

 while planting began May 2, the ground remained cold until the middle of June. 

 For the first time, there was practically a total absence of spring frosts, for, 

 while the thermometer registered 30 degrees on May 31, no subsequent damage 

 could be detected even upon the most tender vegetation. Light frosts occurred 

 September 12, 20 and 21 and these were succeeded by a killng frost on Septem- 

 ber 22. October and November temperatures ruled high until permanent snow 

 fell on November 25, the ground being unfrozen at the time. The greatest depth 

 of snow during the preceding winter was 38 inches and was recorded on March 19. 



The records of mean temperature and precipitation during the growing season 

 are shown in the foregoing table: 



FIELD CROPS — CEREALS. 



The very favorable temperature conditions immediately following planting time, 

 were largely offset by the continuous and heavy rainfall during May. As a 

 consequence, the plants made a very slow growth and became an easy prey to 

 the rust fungus, recuperating only during July. Owing to cool nights in August, 

 the ripening season extended well into September, and the wet weather of the 

 first half of September caused a second outbreak of rust. There was no damage 

 either from grain aphis or other Insects. The primitive methods of handling 

 grain with cradle and hand flails are still in use at the station, making the 

 amounts of grain lost by remaining in the straw through imperfect threshing, 

 quite uncertain. This must be taken into account when looking over the actual 

 and comparative yields of the plots. Realizing these facts, there has been neither 

 time nor effort spared in taking the most careful and minute observations of 

 the growth and behavior of all varieties from the time they are planted until 

 they are harvested. The reader will therefore find the descriptive notes of 

 some of the varieties of more importance than the tables of yields. 



OATS. 



Whether the damage from rust has heretofore been slight or severe, the oats 

 have been invariably affected more than the other cereals. The Station is fre- 

 quently asked for information concerning certain varieties of oats which are 

 claimed to be rust proof, and the following may serve as a general answer. Sev- 

 eral varieties claimed to be rust proof have been tested here, and all were dam- 

 aged by rust fully as much, and in some cases more than certain other varieties 

 for which no such claim is made Enough varieties have been tested here to 

 warrant the statement that a so called rust proof oat owes its origin to the same 

 "clever" propagating methods as a bug proof potato. The dryer the season, the 

 less the spores of the rust fugus will be able to sprout. During wet seasons the 

 early maturing varieties of oats will be damaged by rust much less than the late 

 varieties; this however is not due to immunity, but merely to the shorter length 

 of time during which the plants are exposed to the ravages from rust. Thus 

 the earliest maturing variety. Early Champion, which is not claimed to be rust 

 proof, was practically free from rust during the past season. Earliness therefore 

 may well be considered a desirable quality whenever wet seasons are to be feared. 



Among the promising varieties tested for the first time, may be noted: Early 

 Champion, a white open head variety with small, but heavy grain and thin hull. 

 Straw somewhat shorter than that of late varieties, but is of good size and 

 texture. A very valuable sort, owing to its extreme earliness. University No. 

 6, a promising white variety of large size and heavy grain, the stiff straw enabling 

 it to stand up well. Sicedish or Wisconsin No. 4, a white variety with large, 

 open heads and grain of good size. Will no doubt prove more valuable than the 

 jjresent yield indicates, for, owing to the poor quality of seed, the stand was thin. 

 White Shonen. an open head, white variety as promising as the last two. Owing 

 to the very small size of the plot, the seed was drilled in instead of broadcasted, 

 and to this the better yield is no doubt partially due. Improved Prize Cluster, 



