256 



Twenty-seventh Annual Report 



November 15 made a very meagre growth, failed to form any seed, 

 and were plowed up as a failtire. More extensive investigations are 

 planned for next year w-ith these legumes as forage and green manur- 

 ing crops. Our soils are deficient in humus, and it is particularly desir- 

 able that a proper winter legume be found for green manuring pur- 

 poses. The cause of the above failure will be studied, and if possible 

 methods found to grow them successfully in Arizona. • 



Approximately seventeen acres of the farm were devoted to alfalfa. 

 This was cut twice from January 1 to July 1, yielding the following 



amount of dry hay : 



First cutting- April 5 to 10. Yield 33495 lb. 

 Second cutting May 22 to 25. Yield 48325 lb. 

 Average for 2 cuttings, 2.4 tons per acre. 

 The alfalfa was cultivated with a spring-tooth harrow January 10. 



It was irrigated on the following dates : February 22, March 20, April 



21, May 4, and May 17. 



As stated before, all experimental work on the Phoenix Farm ter- 

 minated July 1, 1916. On that date the alfalfa was about ready to cut 

 for the third time, but was left for the lessee, who took immediate 

 possession. 



flax: The flax testing jilats were continued again this year, using 

 the same varieties tested last year and a considerable number of others 

 furnished by the U. S. D. A. This work is done in cooperation with 

 the Department of Agriculture under the immediate supervision of 

 Charles H. Clark, Assistant Agronomist in charge of Flax Investiga- 

 tions. Six varieties. North Dakota Resistant, Select Russian, Smyrna, 

 Punjab, Boulga, and Soddo Brown, were growai in one-fourth acre 

 plats. In these seeding was made in 6-inch drill rows. 



Table IV gives the results of these plantings together with in- 

 formation as to date of seeding, harvesting and irrigation. 



TABLE IV. FLAX IN ONE-QUARTER ACRE PLATS 



