FIELD CROPS. 



443 



testing, seeding, growing, curing, and liarvesting, for seed and for liay, are 

 outlined, especially with regard to conditions on new land and on sandy and 

 clay soils. 



An avei-age yield of 1.84 bushels per acre was secured on the S3.2S8 acres 

 devoted to clover seed production in Wisconsin in 1905, whereas in 1908 the 

 average yield of clover see<l on 13 northern Wisconsin farms cooperating with 

 the station was 2.75 bushels per acre. The average yield of alsike clover 

 secured on clay soil was 3.96 bu., and on sandy soil 1.78 bushels per acre, 

 while medium red clover yielded 1 bushel per acre on clay soil and IJ bushels 

 on sandy soil, and mammoth red clover yielded in the only case reported 1 

 bushel per aci-e on sandy soil. 



It is advised that the biennial clovers be either i)astured until about June 

 10, or clipi)ed about that time or cut for hay when about one-half of the plants 

 are in bloom, the first crop never being allowed to attain its full growth. 

 Alsike and mammoth red should usually be left undipped. 



A comparison of early and late cutting at the 3 northern substation farms 

 showed an average difference in favor of late cutting of 1.5 tons of hay and 0.4 

 bu. of clover seed per acre, although there was a loss from late cutting of 0.2 

 bu. of seed per acre at Iron River. 



On the yields of alfalfa with varying numbers of cuttings during the 

 season, P. HaxXsex (Tidss^kr. Lamlhr. PlantcuvJ, Hi (lOOU), Xo. ,1 pp. J/IS- 

 .'/29). — Trials were conducted at the Tistofte Experiment Station during the 

 period 1903-1907, to determine the influence of- differences in the number of 

 cuttings of alfalfa during the season, on yield, resistance, purity, and quality 

 of the crop. The data are summarized in the following table : 



Influence of the number of cuttings on the yield and quality of alfalfa. 



As the number of cuttings increased, so did the weakening effect on the plant, 

 the difficulty in keeping the field free from weeds, and the possibility of saving 

 the leaves. Under favorable conditions 3 cuttings proved best, but under un- 

 favorable conditions only 2 cuttings are recommended. 



Alfalfa in America, J. E. Wing {Chicago. 1909, pp. J/80, pis. 15, figs. 2). — 

 This volume gives a historical sketch of alfalfa, describes the plant and its 

 habits of growth, states its soil and fertilizer requirements, and gives directions 

 for the preparation of the seed bed, seeding, cultivation, irrigation, harvesting, 

 and storage. Other alfalfa topics discussed are its diseases, insect and animal 

 pests, and its food value for various animals. 



Industrial value of artichokes, L. Chaptal and D. Vidal {Prog. Agr. et Vit. 

 {Ed. VEst-Centrc), 31 {1910), No. 2, pp. .52-56).— This article discusses the value 

 of artichokes for the paper distilling and starch industries, comparing them 

 with various other crops used in these industries. 



A new type of Indian corn from China, G. N, Collins {U. S. Dept. Agr., 

 Bur. Plant Indiis. Bui. 101. pp. 30, pis. 2). — A description of a new type of maize 

 is given, with si)ecial emphasis u]ion 4 striking points of difference from other 

 varieties of maize: (1) Erect leaf blades; (2) a frequent monostichous arrange- 



