42 IMPKOVING THE QUALITY OF WHEAT. 



The season of 1900 was rather dry and hot from the time growth 

 started in the spring until harvest. There was no time when there 

 was an abundant supply of moisture, but occasional rains wet the 

 soil for a few d&js at a time. The temperatures during the day 

 were high and the air was dry. In 1901 the spring was quite moist 

 and cool until June, when it became extremely hot and dry. A few 

 da3"s before harvest the temperatures ranged above 100° F. daily, 

 with no rainfall. The season of 1902 was the direct opposite of that 

 of 1901, except that the change came earlier. It was extremely dry 

 and hot until the middle of May, when abundant rains came, and 

 the temperatures were considerably below normal until harvest. 

 The season of 1903 was wet and cool throughout. 



In general, it may be said that in those seasons, like 1900 and 

 1902, in which the temperatures were high and moisture scarce dur- 

 ing all or the early part of the growing season, the grain had a liigh 

 percentage of nitrogen, and there was a large production of nitrogen 

 per acre. In years of low temperatures and abundant moisture, 

 as in 1903, or even when such conditions obtained late in the sea- 

 son, as in 1901, there were a low percentage of nitrogen in the grain 

 and a small production of nitrogen per acre. 



High temperatures and scant moisture during early growth would, 

 therefore, seem to favor the accumulation of nitrogen by the wheat 

 plant. 



It may also be noted that these are the conditions favorable to 

 the process of nitrification and to the accumulation of nitrates near 

 the surface of the soil. 



Comparing the wheat crops grown at Rothamsted for a period of 

 twenty years, the yields and nitrogen production of which have just 

 been stated, with the averages for the Nebraska-grown wheats con- 

 tained in the last table, it will be seen that the yields of grain were 

 larger at Rothamsted, but that the production of nitrogen per acre 

 was considerably greater in Nebraska. '' 



The maximum production of nitrogen per acre at Rothamsted 

 during the twenty years was 38.1 pounds, while at Nebraska it was 

 52.7 pounds. 



There can be little doubt as to whether this difference was due 

 in greater measure to soil fertility or to climate. Nowhere is better 



« The yield of nitrogen at Rothamsted is calculated from total organic nitrogen, while 

 at the Nebraska Station it is from proteid nitrogen. ■ 



