243 



Ohio Station, Bulletin Vol. IV, No. 4 (Second Series), August 25, 1891 (pp. 23). 



Experiments in wheat seeding and treatment of seed fob 

 SMiTT, J. F. Hickman, M. S. A. (pp. 77-89). — These included experi- 

 meiit.s in (1) thick and thin seeding-, (2) seeding- at different depths and 

 by ditterent methods, and (3) treatment of seed witli copper sulphate 

 solutions and hot water for smut. The first two were in continuation 

 of experiments recorded in i)revious xuiblications of the station. 

 Accounts of these experiments in 1889 and 1890 are given in Bulletin 

 vol. II, p. 115, and vol. iii, p. 175, of the station (see Experiment Station 

 liccord, vol. I, p. 287, and vol. ii, p. 249). 



Thick and thin seeding. — In 1891 this experiment was conducted on 

 light clay loam, with a gravel subsoil, which had been cropped with 

 wheat for 9 successive years. Eesults are tabulated for Velvet 

 Chaff (Penquite) and Deitz varieties. Owing to the ravages of the 

 wheat midge, which were greater in the case of the Velvet Chaff", the 

 results obtained from the two varieties are not comparable. The yields 

 in 1891 ranged from 26 bushels per acre for the 2-peck rate to 28.8 

 bu.shels for the 6-peck rate. For the 10 years the 7-peck rate has given 

 the highest average yield (37.9 bushels), but is closely followed by the 

 5 and 6 peck rates (37.4 and 36.4 bushels). " Seeding above 7 pecks 

 per acre gives fewer bushels but a superior quality of grain." 



Methods of culture and different depths of seeding. — The results 

 obtained by different methods of seeding, mulching, and planting at 

 different depths are given in one table for 1891 and in another for seven 

 seasons. The variety of wheat used in 1891 was Martin Amber. In 

 1891 the yields from planting at depths of from 2 to 4 inches were nearly 

 the same. "Broadcast seeding has given as good results this year as 

 drilling, but in a series of years drilling has produced the largest crop. 

 Very light mulching has apparently been of some benefit this year. 

 Heavier mulching has invariably injured the crop. Cross-drilling has 

 shown no advantage this year. No larger crop has been produced this 

 year from mixed seed of two varieties than from pure seed of the same 

 varieties sown separately." 



Treatment of seed to destroy smut germs. — ]!^otes and tabulated data 

 for an experiment in which wheat seed was immersed for 10 minutes 

 in sulphate of copper solutions (12 gallons of water to from 2 to 12 ounces 

 of copper sulphate), and in hot water (124° to 152° F.). Both treatments 

 were effective, but that with hot water (132° to 135° F.) is much more 

 economical. 



Comparative tests of varieties of wheat, J. F. Hickman, M. 

 S. A. (pp. 89-97). — These were in continuation of the tests reported in 

 Bulletin vol. iii, p. 184, of the station (see Experiment Station Record, 

 vol. II, p. 250). In 1891 the test was on river bottom land, with 52 

 varieties on clover sod and 11 on wheat stubble. Tabulated data are 

 given for the 63 varieties tested this year and for 16 varieties tested dur- 

 ing 7 years. 



