FIELD CROPS. 535 



ologlcal Plant Ecology, B. E. Livingston : Vegetation and Altitnde, C. H. Shaw ; 

 Problems of Local Distribution in Arid Regions, V. M. Spalding; and The Re- 

 lation of the Climatic Factors to Vegetation, E. N. Transeau. 



FIELD CROPS. 



[Field crops in 1908 at the Dickinson Substation, North Dakota], L. R. 

 Waldron '{Xortli Dakota *S7a.. Riit. Du'kiit.so)!. !Siihst<i. 1908, pp. //-7', 9-23, 27-33, 

 pis. J). — Notes are given on cultural and other tests with a large number of 

 field cl'ops. 



It is stated that ordinary upland, medium loam soils demand artificial inocu- 

 lation for successful alfalfa culture. Uninoculated alfalfa the second season 

 l>roduced cured hay in amounts ranging from S88 to 1,170 lbs. per acre. Clover 

 winterkilled largely and yielded only from 15 to 50 lbs. of seed per acre. This 

 is considered due to the newness of the soil and the lack of sufficient inocula- 

 tion. Brief notes on other leguminous crops are also given. 



Brome grass sown at the rate of 16 lbs. yielded 1,272 lbs. per acre, as com- 

 pared with 1,848 lbs. for a plat sown at the i-ate of 24 lbs. of seed per acre. 

 The use of a nurse crop in starting this grass had apparently a very detrimental 

 effect. Manured plats gave an average yield per acre of 2,012 lbs. as compared 

 with 1.242 lbs. secured on plats receiving no manure. The yield from wild 

 prairie was at the rate of 776 lbs. of hay per acre. Among different annual hay 

 crops hull-less barley stood first with 4,532 lbs. per acre, this yield being about 

 900 lbs. greater than the yield of oats. 



The yields of different varieties of cereals, potatoes, and root crops are re- 

 corded in tables. The average yields of wheat for 3 years for the different 

 classes under experiment were as follows : Durum 24.9, Fife 21.5, and Blue 

 Stem 21 bu. per acre. A comparison of the yields of oats, barley, and emmer 

 for 2 years shows emmer at a decided disadvantage each year. The average 

 yield of oats for the 2 years was 2,074 lbs. per acre, of barley, 1,883 lbs., and 

 of emmer 1.494 lbs. 



Sowing durum wheat in 1907 at the rate of 3J pk. per acre gave practically 

 as good a yield of grain as sowing at the rate of 5 pk. In 1908 a similar experi- 

 ment gave rather indefinite results. The best yields of oats in 1908 were secured 

 from sowing at the rate of 5 and 6i pk. per acre. 



Among 25 varieties of potatoes the best showing was made by Early Eureka 

 and Early Michigan, the yields being 138.2 and 135 bu. per acre, respectively. 

 In a test with small and large seed tubers it was found that the large tubers 

 produced a net value of $58.41 per acre and the small tubers a uet value of 

 .$32.73. In a comparison of mangels, sugar beets, ruta-bagas, carrots, and arti- 

 chokes, ruta-bagas produced the largest yield, 12 tons and 1,960 lbs. per acre, 

 followed l)y sugar beets with 12 tons and 1.300 lbs. 



The work of the San Antonio Experiment Farm in 1908, F. B. Headley 

 and S. H. Hastings ( U. 8. Dcpt. Agr., Bur. Plant Indus. Circ. 3/f, pp. 17, fig. 1). — 

 The meteorological data at San Antonio are reported for a series of years and 

 discussed. The soil conditions of the region are described and the equipment 

 of the San Antonio Experiment Farm and the lines of work undertaken are 

 briefly noted. 



In 1908 Appier Rustproof oats produce<l the highest yield. .37.7 bu. per acre, 

 among 4 different varieties. Boswell Winter oats wei'e so seriously injui'ed 

 l)y rust that no grain was produced. The straw of Red Algerian and Appier 

 oats was weak and caused these varieties to lodge badly. The straw of Culber- 

 son oats was very stiff and the entire crop stood up well, but its yield was not 

 so large as that of the other 2 varieties. 



