FIELD CROPS. 



543 



With but 2 exceptions the northern-grown seed proved to be supe- 

 rior. In 1890 Early Rose second-crop seed gave a better yield than 

 northern seed, and Crown Jewel from second-crop seed ripened 3 days 

 earlier than from northern seed. In general, second-crop seed was slow 

 and irregular in starting and produced vines inferior in vigor and 

 appearance. It was also found that potatoes from northern seed gave 

 a better yield at different stages of growth than potatoes from second- 

 crop seed. In 1896 the average yield of the 7 varieties from northern 

 and second-crop seed on May 2<> was 80.39 and 09.14 bu. per acre, respec- 

 tively, and on June 1 89.35 and 82.75 bu. per acre. 



Four plats were planted with large and small second-crop seed to 

 compare the yields. Perfect whole tubers 2 to 3 in. in diameter were 

 planted on plats 1 and 3, and whole tubers from j| to 1^ in. in diameter on 

 plats 2 and 4. Plats 3 and 4 were planted with cut tubers of the same 

 size as those used on plats 1 and 2, respectively. Large whole potatoes 

 yielded 18 per cent more than whole small seed, and the large cut 

 tubers 15.8 per cent more than the small cut tubers. 



The results of a series of culture tests were in favor of level as 

 against ridge culture. The results are considered due largely to the 

 drought and the sandy character of the soil. The rows were ridged 2, 

 4, 8, and 12 in. high and each increase in the height of the ridges 

 resulted in a decrease in the yield. 



Of 20 varieties tested, Ohio Jr., Crown Jewel, Early Six-Weeks Mar- 

 ket, World's Fair, and Wood Earliest gave the best results. 



An outlay of $2 per acre for spraying or dusting Paris green on the 

 plants to destroy the potato beetles resulted in an increase of 11 bu. or 

 13.0 per cent per acre. 



Sugar beets, H. Snyder and A. Boss {Minnesota Sta. Bid. 56, 

 pj). 377-416, figs. 4). — This bulletin gives a summary of the sugar-beet 

 investigations in Minnesota from 1888 to 1898, a report on the work for 

 1897, and an outline of the proposed experiments for 1898. 



From 1888 to 1898, 1,351 samples of sugar beets from different parts 

 of the State were analyzed. The average sugar content of these 

 samples was 14.22 per cent, with 81.2 purity. 



Average results of culture experiments ivith sugar beets, 188S to 1891. 



The conditions which affect the sugar content of the crop are discussed 

 at some length. In 1897 culture experiments were made at the station 

 and by farmers throughout the State. The results are given in tables. 

 The results obtained from sugar beets in different, parts of the State 

 under poor conditions of cultivation are reported separately. 

 12342— Xo. 4 



