362 



YII. On sandy branch bottom land which had borne two 

 crops of weeds, the loss when the weeds were burned, in- 

 stead of being plowed under, was 2.8 bushels of corn per 

 acre. 



VII E. The yield of grain was less when the entire stalks, 

 were cut and cured before pulling the ears and also less- 

 when topping was practiced than when the plants were not 

 disturbed before gathering the ears. Financially, topping 

 was unprofitable, and the profit in harvesting the entire 

 stalks was doubtful where no shredder was available to pre- 

 pare the stalks for feeding and when corn was valued at 45 

 cents per bushel, and stalks at 25 cents per 100 pounds. 



A compilation of results of stripping the blades or puUing- 

 f odder showed an average loss of 2.9 bushels of corn per 

 acre from pulling fodder. Only when fodder is high and corn 

 low in price can fodder-pulling be regarded as profitable.. 

 Hay making would generally give better returns than fodder- 

 pulling for the labor employed. 



I. The Rainfall During the Growing Season of 1896, 



Of all the factors in crop production that are beyond 

 the farmer's control, the most important is the amount and 

 distribution of the rainfall. With ample and well distributed 

 rainfall in April, May, June, and July, a relatively good 

 crop is almost certain. A deficiency in the total rainfull 

 for these months, or the occurrence of long dry spells at 

 this time, almost invariably causes a poor yield, no matter 

 what the method of fertilizing and cultivating the crop. 



The greater part of the growing season of 1896 was ab- 

 normally dry. The rainfall for March and May was only 

 about half the normal, and in April and June it was only 

 about one-third the usual quantity. 



Very heavy rains, accompanied by damaging winds, fell 

 about the middle of July, but this was too late to be of 

 much benefit to the corn crop. 



The following table shows the periods in which there wafr- 

 little or no rain : 



