FIELD CROPS. 331 



In tests at the various farms to determine tlie best widtli between rows of 

 ensilage corn, that planted in rows 21 in. apart quite generally yielded a higher 

 total weight than that planted in rows 28, 35, or 42 in. apart. In a test of 

 methods of planting corn conducted at the Indian Head and Lethbridge farms, 

 the corn planted in rows produced a greater yield than that planted in hills, 

 the average difference at the Lethbridge farm being 1 ton 980 lbs. per acre. 

 An early planting of root crops followed i\v another about 2 weeks later almost 

 invariably showed a decisively greater yield in case of the earlier planting. 



Tabulated data show the results of vitality tests of barley, wheat, and oats 

 from each of the provinces. 



At Ottav^-a, in special experiments with fertilizers continued for 21 years, no 

 change from last year's plan was made, and the relative standing from each 

 treatment for the whole period of test remained the same. With every crop, the 

 average yield for whole test of each of these plats fertilized with some form of 

 l)arnyard manure, exceeds that of the remainder of the 21 plats enriched with 

 mineral fertilizers. In 1908 the yield on the rotted-manure plats of ensilage 

 corn averaged 14 tons 676 lbs., or 1 ton 1,030 lbs. more than on plats fertilized 

 with fresh manure. On the wheat plats, the difference was but 20 lbs. per 

 acre in favor of the well-rotted manure, with turnips, ISO lbs., and with mangels, 

 1.387 lbs. Among rotations involving various crops and cultural methods 

 adapted to sheep, hog, and other ^types of farming, in a 4 years' test a corn- 

 grain-clover-hay rotation gave the highest net profit ($10.30 per acre). Po- 

 tatoes spread out in a light room for a period of 1* months before planting, 

 liroduced yields averaging IS bu. per acre higher than those produced by seed 

 kept in a cellar at a temperature of 50 to 60° F., and 31 bu. per acre above 

 those produced by .seed kept in cold storage at 40°. 



Chemical analyses showed (1) that a high water content of the soil decreased 

 the protein content of the wheat, (2) that prolonged vegetative growth increased 

 the starch content, and (3) that early rii)ening, lessening of soil moisture, and 

 high temperature at time of maturity, produced hard, glutenous wheat. Dur- 

 ing storage flour and wheat increased in ash, protein, gliadin, and gluten con- 

 tent in every instance. Wheat that had remained " tough " for 8 months, 

 showed no abnormality in any point save for a change in color. Neither fer- 

 mentation nor heating occurred. 



No perceptible difference in the content of sugar beets due to climatic differ- 

 ences of the stations, or to varied water supply, could be detected. 



Turkey Red wheat produced the strongest flour but the lowest yield per acre. 

 Egyptian Amber produced very good flour and yielded 51A bu. per acre. Oats 

 sown at the rate of 2i bu. per aci-e in-oduced 3 bu. 18 lbs. per acre more than 

 those sown at the rate of 2 bu. per acre. 



At the Nappan farm, applications of 250 and 500 lbs. of commercial fertilizer 

 to turnips produced increased yields, but at an economic loss. The yields varied 

 from 18 tons 610 lbs. to 23 tons 556 lbs. per acre. The use of clover as green 

 manui'e on clay loam secured an increase per acre of 2 bu. 20 lbs. of wheat, 

 7 bu. 34 lbs. of barley, and 9 bu. 2 lbs. of oats. No advantage appeared from 

 inoculating clover and alfalfa with nitroculture. A slight dressing of air- 

 slaked lime on marsh or dike lands showed a decided advantage. "Run-out" 

 heavy clay, very deficient in humus, on which was sown a mixture of 3 bu. of 

 oats, barley, and peas, 12 lbs. of timothy, and 10 lbs. of clover per acre, showed 

 an increase in yield per acre of 17 bu. due to the application of manure at the 

 rate of 10 one-horse cartloads per acre, of lOJ bu, from the application of 300 

 lbs. of fertilizer, and 8^ bu. from the application of 150 lbs. of fertilizer. Pre- 

 ceding this crop the field had been sown at the rate of 3 bu. per acre with a 



