FIELD CROPS. 835 



In light sandy soil from 1^ to 2i in. appeared to be the best depth for sowing 

 barley, although satisfactory results were obtained at depths of 4 in. beyond 

 which a greater proportion of the plants died back. In heavy clay loam from 

 J to 2i in. appeared to be the normal depth of planting, and the highest yields 

 of grain were secured from sowings between 1 and 2 in. deep. 



Oats in light sandy soil germinated best at depths between li and 2* in., 

 but might be planted 4 in. deep without much danger of serious loss from 

 faulty germination. About three-fifths of the seed so\^'n germinated successfully 

 at a depth of 6 in. The germination of oats sown from li to 2i in. deep took 

 place between the tenth and thirtieth days after sowing, as compared with the 

 ninth and eighteenth days for barley, and the tenth and twenty-first days for 

 wheat sovm at similar depths. In heavy clay loam from li to 2 in. appeared 

 to be the best depth of sowing for oats, but fully three-fourths of the seed sown 

 5J in. deep germinated successfully. The proportion of plants dying back in- 

 creased steadily at depths greater than 4 in. 



One year's tests indicate that on sandy soil field beans and peas will give a 

 germination of from 90 to 100 per ceut at all depths between i in. and 6 in. 



From 2 years' work it was not possible to state in figures a de[)th of planting 

 corn that would be applicable to all cases. Shallow planting appeared likely 

 to result in late and irregular germination depending almost entirely upon the 

 rains following planting. 



For sorghum about 1 in. appeared to be the best depth of sowing if sufficient 

 moisture in the surface soil layer could be relied upon. Under ordinary cir- 

 cumstances, however, sowing from 1 to 2 in. deep in heavy soils or from 2 to 2i 

 in. deep in light soils, and in case of late seeding even deeper sowings, are 

 recommended. Millet should not be sown more than 1 in. deep on heavy land 

 or li in. on light soil. 



[Fertilizer tests on meadows], G. Bkedemann (Fiihling's Lnndw. Ztg., 61 

 (1912), Nos. 5, pp. 166-191; 6, pp. 210-229).— A brief summary of earlier work 

 is followed by statements of the results of fertilizer tests on meadows extend- 

 ing over a considerable period of years at each of a number of German experi- 

 ment stations. The fertilizer mixtures applied were (1) Thomas meal and 

 kainit; (2) Thomas meal, kainit, and every fourth year quicklime, and (3) 

 Thomas meal, kainit, and every fourth year a double application of quicklime. 

 Mechanical and chemical analyses of the soils of each of the stations are 

 given. 



Cooperative experiments with alfalfa, M. F. Miller and C. B. Hutchison 

 (Missouri Sta. Bui. 106, pp. 23-56, figs. 8). — The experiments here reported, 

 begun in 1907, were increased in number from year to year and finally fur- 

 nished data from 74 of the 114 counties of the State. Each cooperator was 

 instructed to devote 1 acre to the test and to divide this into 4 equal plats. 

 The first plat was to receive 12 tons of manure per acre, the second 8,000 lbs. 

 of lime, the third 300 lbs. of steamed bone meal, and the fourth was to receive 

 no soil treatment. Two-thirds of each plat was to be inoculated and one-half 

 of the inoculated portion given cultivation with a disk or spring- tooth harrow. 

 The results of the individual experiments as well as summaries based on the 

 soil types and the soil treatment are given in tables and discussed. 



The data secured in this cooperative work indicated that alfalfa does not have 

 as wide adaptations as most forage crops grown in the State. The most im- 

 portant factors in the success of the crop were drainage, the character of 

 the subsoil, the fertility, and the quantity of lime carbonate present. The well- 

 drained silt and sandy loam bottom lands with porous subsoils proved to be 

 the best alfalfa lands of the State. On upland soils the best results were 

 secured on the fertile, rolling prairies of the north and west central part, the 



