FIELD CROPS. 33 



Experiments have been conducted for 2 years with the Chinese mat rush 

 (Cyperiis tegetifonnis) and Japanese Bingo-i mat rush (Jiincus etfusus). The 

 former yielded 19,701 lbs. per acre of cured reeds, varying in length from 36 

 to 60 in. and over. From 6 to 7 months were required from planting to matu- 

 rity and 5 months for the rattoon crop. Sample reeds forwarded to a factory 

 proved of commercial quality. The Japanese mat rush as yet lacks sufficient 

 length for commercial purposes but is improving with each crop and does not 

 require splitting. 



Sea Island and Caravonica cottons have yielded a large amount of long, 

 strong, lustrous fiber. Lint percentages ranged from 30 to 40. All cotton varie- 

 ties so far tested are perennial in these islands. The shape of trees and time 

 of maturing bolls may be controlled by pruning. These trees will average at 

 least 5 lbs. at each of 2 pickings per year. A recent experimental picking 

 yielded 15 lbs. of seed cotton from a single plant. 



In tests of soy bean varieties obtained from the Bureau of Plant Industry of 

 this Department, Xo. 21080, produced 600 lbs. of shelled beans, imported Japan, 

 SOO lbs., and Kona seed, 1,060 lbs. per acre. The plants are less than 12 in. 

 in height and upright in growth. They require little moisture and permit close 

 planting. It is believed that the crop could be made a profitable one for the 

 small farmer. 



A'ariety and cultural tests are under way with the Spanish, Bunch Jumbo, 

 Running Jumbo, and Virginia Running varieties of peanuts, 3 types of soil, 

 varying in elevation and amount of soil moisture, being used in the test. A 

 small quantity of seed of the wheat from the straw of which Italian Leghorn 

 hats are made has been drilled in I'ows 12 in. apart. The plants tiller well 

 and have apiiarently the same moisture requirements as upland rice. Between 

 March 23 and June .30 the height of 36 to 40 in. was attained. 



Report of work for 1907 and 1908 at Highmore substation, C. Willis 

 (South Dakota Sta. Bill. 115, pp. 551-510). — Work on cereals previously noted 

 (E. S. R., 18, p. 133) has been continued and later work is reported. 



In 1907 the yields per acre in a variety test of Kafir corn were for Black- 

 hull, 3 tons 993 lbs. for Milo, 2 tons 1,794 lbs., for Red Kafir, 2 tons 1,439 lbs., 

 and for Shallu, 2 tons 1,217 lbs. Kaoliang (brown) gave an average yield of 2 

 tons 1,571 lbs. A series of tenth-acre plats gave average yields at the rate per 

 acre of 5,.350 lbs. sorghum fodder, 2,076 lbs. Bromus inermis hay. 11.25 bu. of 

 flax 1,152 lbs. corn fodder, 23.99 bu. corn, 28.78 bu. wheat, 49.47 bu. oats, and 

 30.23 bu. of barley. Broom-corn millets in a variety test gave the following 

 yields per acre: Tainboy, 27.08 bu.. White Ural, 24.16 bu., Black Voronezh, 

 22.5 bu.. Red 74-10625, 20.83 bu., Early Fortune, 20.41 bu.. Red Russian, 19.58 

 bu., and Red Orenburg, 14.5 bu. The varieties of oats yielding 30 bu. or more 

 per acre were American Triumph and American Beauty, each yielding 35.31 bu., 

 Minnesota No. 26, 34.68 bu., Minnesota No. 6, 33.75 bu.. Banner and Sixty Day, 

 each 31.56 bu., Lincoln, 30.62 bu., and Swedish Select, 30.31 bu. Of the five 

 varieties of Durum wheat tested, Kubanka showed the highest average yield 

 at the rate of 26.87 bu. per acre. Arnautka yielded on the average 24.24 bu. 

 per acre, Beloturka, 24.16 bu., lumillo, 22.16 bu., and Wild Goose, 22.5 bu. per 

 acre. Among the common wheats. No. 61.3clc yielded 24 bu. per acre. No. 2492, 

 19.16 bu.. Red Fife 18.66 bu.. South Dakota Climax and Velvet Chaff, each 

 18.5 bu., and Blue Stem, 16.66 bu. per acre. 



During the year 1908, the varieties of Durum wheat gave average yields per 

 acre as follows: Beloturka, 27.83 bu. per acre, Arnautka, 26.55 bu., lumillo, 

 25.83 bu., V\'ild Goose, 25.16 bu., Kubanka, 24.12, and Pererodka, 22 bu. per acre. 

 The varieties of oats yielding an average of 30 bu. or more per acre were 

 Sixty Day, 47.5 bu., Kherson, 45.76 bu.. Red Algerian, 32.81 bu., and Danish 



