236 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



YIELD CROPS. 



Report of the agricultural department, W. C. Latta (Indiana 

 Sta. Ept. 1897, pp. 51-59).— In this report the work of the year is out- 

 lined and the results of the experiments briefly summarized. The 

 work is largely a continuation of former experiments (E. S. R., 9, 

 p. 347). Among 13 varieties of wheat, Russian, Michigan Amber, 

 Velvet Chaff, and Bearded Winter Fife, and among 21 varieties of 

 oats, White Russian, White Swede, and Black Prolific, were the most 

 promising varieties. 



A test of fertilizers on oats was made on two series of plats, one of 

 which had produced crops in a regular rotation, while the other had 

 grown grain crops for the same length of time. There were 10 plats 

 in each series, including 3 check plats which had received no fertilizer. 

 Acidulated phosphates, nitrate of soda, and muriate of potash were 

 applied in different quantities. On the plats which had been in the 

 rotation the best yield (08.12 bu. per acre) was produced by the appli- 

 cation of 125 lbs. acidulated phosphate, 37£ lbs. nitrate of soda, and 

 15 lbs. muriate of potash per acre, but the yields of the check plats 

 were 48.19 bu. per acre for the first, 53.28 bu. for the second, and 08.28 

 bu. for the third. On the series of plats which had produced grain 

 continuously, the best yield was G8.91 bu. per acre, which was obtained 

 from the plat fertilized with 145 lbs. acid phosphate, 75 lbs. nitrate of 

 soda, and 15 lbs. muriate of potash per acre. The yield from the check 

 plats in this series varied from 50.78 to 53.90 bu. per acre. 



Cultivating corn 1 and 3 in. deep gave better yields than cultivating 

 2 and 4 in. deep. The average results for 9 years have been in favor 

 of cultivating 1 in. deep. 



From the results of the experiments it is concluded unwise to at- 

 tempt the growing of winter oats in that latitude. Notes are given on 

 grasses, clovers, and forage crops, and experiments on previous manur- 

 ing on the yield of corn, heavy and light applications of manure and 

 fertilizer, and continuous growing of clover, as yet incomplete, are 

 described. 



Chicory growing as an addition to the resources of the Amer- 

 ican farmer, M. G. Kains ( U. S. Dept. Ayr., Dirision of Botany Bui. 

 19, pp. 52, figs. 12). — This bulletin describes the chicory plant and 

 its uses and gives directions for growing the crop for the root and for 

 fodder. Details of the preparation of the soil, sowing, cultivation, and 

 storing the crop, statistics on the importation of chicory since 1809, 

 and analyses of the raw and roasted root are given. Three varieties, 

 Brunswick, Magdeburg, and Schlesische, considered the best known 

 kinds used in America for roasting, are described. 



The results of experiments in the germination of seeds from early and 

 late chicory flowers and of large and small seeds are reported in tables. 

 "•The ratio of good to poor seed in individual flower heads proved, in 

 all cases examined, to be in favor of the early flowers." 



