542 Bulletin .84 



A portion of the farm was harrowed twice in April, 1913, and the 

 remainder three times. 



Five acres of the Hancock farm had been plowed in 1910, but 

 the troublesome growth of weeds prevented preparation of a good 

 seed bed for experimental cropping for more than a year. The re- 

 maining fifteen acres were cleared of scattered trees and brush in 

 1913. The Hancock farm lies on a low, gently sloping hill and has 

 a soil varying from four to ten feet in depth. Tillage of this farm, 

 preparatory to the first experimental planting, was similar to that 

 of the Smith farm. 



In the absence of reliable information, experiments on the 

 Snowflake Dry-farm were planned in order to secure comparative 

 data on crops and varieties best adapted, times of planting, rates 

 of seeding, conservation and utilization of moisture, and economy 

 of production. 



BEANS 



Table XX records the results of a variety test of beans for a 

 six-year period ending in 1915. 



Most of the varieties tested are well known. They include a 

 number grown for an indefinite period by the Indians, and two local 

 strains. Little's and Bates', which, in the absence of more suitable 

 identification, are given the names of the gentlemen from whom they 

 were secured. 



Bean yields on the Flake farm were low in both 1910 and 

 1911. On the Hancock and Smith farms the highest yields in 1912 

 were only about 200 pounds per acre, and the beans were mostly 

 destroyed by rabbits. High winds, drought and rabbits caused 

 most varieties to fail in 1913, the only harvest being from plots of 

 Bayou and Pink beans, and the largest yield was 116 pounds per 

 acre. In 1914 effects of efforts directed against weeds began to 

 be noticeable, and a more favorable season occurred with the result 

 that yields of many varieties were high enough to insure some 

 profit. The best showing was made by White and Red Hopi beans, 

 while Colorado Pinto, a variety introduced in 1914, which has 

 since been one of the best producers of the region, yielded 520 

 pounds per acre. In 1915, the entire crop was more satisfactory 



