FIELD CROPS. 



35 



A full statement is given of the method of cultivation and marlieting, and tlie 

 conclusion is drawn that the greater diversity and intensity of cultivation have 

 been advantageous. The work of the year is summarized in the following table : 



Financial results of intensive and diversifled cropping on the Ijasis of net cash 

 returns to the small farmer. 



The alfalfa, which was fed to the team, was valued at $100 additional. 



The Truckee-Carson experiment farm, C. S. Scofield and S. J. Rogers 

 {TJ. S. Dept. Agr., Bur. Plant Indus. Bui. 157, pp. 38, pis. 2, figs. .^).— This 

 bulletin describes the region in which the Truckee-Carson reclamation project 

 is located with reference to climatic and agricultural conditions. Notes are 

 given on possible agricultural industries which may be establishetl there and 

 the experiment farm together with the work inaugurated is also discussed. 



Experiments on the clay land show that it should not be plowed deep at 

 first and that special farm implements, such as turning and slicing harrows and 

 corrugated rollers, and careful irrigation are necessary to get crops started. 

 The sandy soils need protection from the action of the wind during the spring. 

 It has been found that redtop, rape, and sweet clover are best adapted to the 

 heavy soils when first broken, and that good crops of beets of a high sugar 

 content may be secured in that section. Potatoes, corn, wheat, oats, barley, 

 and alfalfa can also be grown. Alfalfa, which is the most important crop of 

 the region, yields 2 or 3 cuttings per year. It was further found that crops 

 of sugar beets, sorghum, and some grasses may be grown on alkali land with 

 proper care in tillage and irrigation. 



Natural reveg'etation of depleted mountain grazing lands, A. W. Sampson 

 (U. 8. Dept. Agr., Forest Service Circ. 169, pp. 28, figs. 5). — Previous results 

 of this work have been noted (E. S. R., 20, p. 629). 



This circular is a progress report of experiments looking toward the increase 

 of the grazing capacity of lands in the national forests. The work was begun 

 on the Wallowa National Forest in the spring of 1907, and has embraced 

 studies of the abundance, distribution, seed habits, and forage value of the 

 forage plants, their life histories, and the revegetation of overgrazed areas. 



It has been determined that good seeding can be secured without the loss of 

 any part of the season's forage. It is suggested that an area of choice for- 

 age be reserved for late grazing, and that a protective grazing system be con- 

 tinued until seedling plants are beyond great danger of injury. Artificial 

 seeding may be resorted to where the natural seedling stand is insufficient after 

 a year's protection. 



Some experiments in the hybridizing of Indian cottons, P. F. Fyson (Mem. 

 Dept. Agr. India, Bot. 8er., 2 (1908), No. 6, pp. 21, pis. 9). — A general descrip- 

 tion of Indian cotton plants is given and the results in breeding to the fifth 

 hybrid generation are tabulated and discussed. 



