FIELD CROPS. 141 



On a farm at Milbrook, N. Y., 4 acres of a planting of 4 kernels of corn aud 

 6 soy beans per hill planted by hand in hills 36 by 40 in. apart yielded in 1905 

 72 tons of fodder. The ratio of corn fodder to soy-bean fodder, by weight, in 

 the mixture was estimated at 5:1. The next year a mixture of 4 or 5 grains 

 of corn to 10 or 12 soy beans per hill gave a crop in which the ratio was slightly 

 less. During the following March the silage contained 4.22 per cent of protein 

 and 2.2 per cent crude fat. During 1907 corn made a poor growth and the 

 proportion of corn to soy-bean fodder based on the weight of 12 hills was 2 : 1. 

 The silage showed higher percentages of solids, protein, fat, and carbohydrates 

 than did ordinary corn silage, and its nutritive ratio was 1 : 6.75. 



During the next 2 years hand planting was supplanted by mixing the beans 

 and corn in equal quantities, and sowing with a grain drill at the rate of 20 qts. 

 of the mixture per acre in rows 3^ ft. apart. Although droughts interfered in 

 1911, 12* tons of fodder per acre were secured from a field below the average 

 in productiveness. In the same neighborhood another farmer planted 16 acres 

 in 15 hours with a corn planter which dropped from 4 to 6 kernels of corn and 

 from 8 to 10 beans in the same hill from separate boxes and also distributed 

 fertilizer. A yield of from 12 to 15 tons per acre followed this planting. 



In another case every third row was devoted entirely to beans and the binder 

 was driven across the rows containing only beans. Of the mixture, 19 per cent 

 was soy beans as compared with 114 per cent from the rows which had been 

 planted at the rate of 5 or 6 kernels of corn and from 8 to 12 beans per hill. 



A few farmers reported the hand planting of soy beans between corn hills or 

 very close to them "crosswise of the first cultivation." Frequently the beans 

 failed because of dry weather, or the advancement of the corn, and the plan 

 succeeded only under favorable conditions. Cooperative tests of mixed plant- 

 ings in 3 localities in 1908, 5 in 1909, and 4 in 1910 are reported showing an 

 apparent decrease in the growth of corn due to the mixture, but no conclusions 

 are drawn. In 3 years' tests of mixed planting at the University farm, corn 

 alone gave a slightly higher total yield per acre, but analyses showed a lower 

 percentage of protein and ether extract than did the mixed fodder. 



Although the author states that he "has failed to prove the real value of 

 soy beans grown in corn fields for silage in the exiieriments just described," 

 he presents statements from a number of farmers, some of whom have prac- 

 ticed such mixed planting and appear to regard it as decidedly advantageous. 



Report on field trials with varieties of swedes in the year 1910, E. Hab- 

 RisoN and E. E. Stokes {Midland Agr. and Dairy Col. Bnl. 6, 1910-11, pp. 

 SS-Jfl). — This is a report of a variety test of swedes conducted during 1910, 

 including data as to the yield and dry matter percentages of the varieties 

 tested in 5 different localities. In amount of dry matter produced per acre, 

 Golden Melon stood first. Magnum Bonum second, and Extra Improved Purple 

 Top third. 



The adulteration and misbranding of the seeds of red clover, Kentucky- 

 blue grass, orchard grass, and hairy vetch, B. T. Galloway (17. 8. Dept. 

 Aiir., Office Secretary Circ. 39, pp. 7). — In continuation of the seed inspection 

 of 1910 (E. S. R., 25, p. 237), 1,548 samples of seed were examined in 1911, of 

 which 250 were found to be adulterated or misbranded. 



Of 305 samples obtained as orchard grass, 28 were adulterated with the seed 

 of meadow fescue, rye grass, or other seeds. Of 430 samples obtained as Ken- 

 tucky blue grass, 35 were wholly or in part the seed of Canada blue grass or 

 other grasses. None of the 510 samples of red clover seed secured were found 

 to be adulterated or misbranded. Of 303 samples secured as hairy or sami 

 vetch, 187 were found to be adulterated or misbranded. 5 were spring vetch 



