326 



From all the data at hand wo arrive at the conclusion that to treat seed wheat 

 with hot water in order to prevent smut, it should bo immersed for 5 minutes in 

 water at 135° Fah. ; if the temperature drops below this point the seed should be 

 left in the water a little longer time, and if the temperature rises above it the time 

 should be shortened. A greater variation than 5° above or below the 135° Fah, 

 should be guarded against. 



The loose smut of wheat ( Usfilago tritici) caused a loss of 11 per 

 ceut of the crop of Original Red wheat and 24 per cent of Ontario 

 Wonder, on the station farm in 1890, according to observations reported 

 in this article. 



Field experiments with wheat, W. C. Latta, M. S. (pp. 10-18).— 

 In 1890 these included tests of varieties, rates of seeding, times of 

 seeding, large vs. small seed, rotation vs. continuous grain cropping, 

 and experiments with fertilizers. For a previous account of similar 

 experiments, see Bulletin Ko. 27 of the station and Experiment Station 

 Eecord, Vol. I, p. 206. 



Test of varieties. — Tabulated data for 27 varieties tested in 1890, 

 with the average yields of these varieties during from 1 to 7 years. 

 Velvet Chaff has given the highest average yield (31.9 bushels) for the 7 

 years. 



Quantity of seed to the acre. — Tabulated data are given for the yields 

 of wheat seeded at rates varying from 2 to 8 pecks per acre during G 

 years (1885-90). The yield for the 6 years has been from 19 to 31 

 bushels per acre, increasing with increased thickness of seeding. 



(1) The yields from thin seeding are poor and fluctuating, while thick seeding 

 shows uniform good yields. (2) There is quite a rapid increase in average yield from 

 thicker seeding up to five pecks per acre, and a slight average increase for each 

 higher rate. (3) The increase in yield from thick sowing is most marked in adverse 

 years. 



Early and late seeding. — Tabulated data are given for the yields of 

 wheat sown in 1888 and 1889 at different dates from September 18 to 

 October 18. The results are conflicting. 



Large vs. small seed. — Seeds which ijassed through the seed screen of 

 a fauning-mill were classed as "small"; those which did not pass 

 through, as "large." Tabulated data are given for experiments in 1888 

 and 1889. The results slightly favor the use of large seed. 



Rotation vs. continuous grain cropping. — " Experiments were begun in 

 1880 to determine the effect on the soil and on the crops of continuous 

 grain production, as compared with judicious rotations, involving both 

 grain and grass crOps. No manure has been used on either series of 

 plats, and the entire crop has been removed in every case. Grass (tim- 

 othy and clover) constitutes the essential difference in the two series of 

 plats. The effect of the two systems of cropping on the yield of wheat 

 only will be noted here." The average yields per acre (bushels) of all 

 the wheat plats of each series for the last four years are as follows: 

 grass and grain, 18.6; grain alone, 14.9; gain from rotation, 3.7 bush- 

 els. "The yields of corn and oats also show the benefit of rotation. 

 The smallness of the yields is due to the absence of manure." 



