1^2 EXPEEIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol, 86 



wheat sorts. White Russian oats gave the highest yield for the oats, and 

 Chevalier II the highest yield for the barleys. Spring emmer yielded at the 

 rate of 58 bu. per acre. The Russian varieties of flax, C. I. Nos. 3 and 19, 

 gave the highest yield of seed. In variety tests with potatoes the late varieties 

 gave decidedly better results than the early varieties. The variety of corn 

 deemed safest to plant is Northwestern Dent. The most desirable distances 

 for corn seem to be 10, 14, and 17 in. apart in the row. 



In an experiment undertaken to determine the best time for breaking dry- 

 land sod, early breaking, April to July, gave the best results for thie crop 

 following, with no consistent results after the first year. 



[Work with field crops on the Huntley reclamation project experiment 

 farm in 1915], D. Hansen {U. 8. Dept. Agr., Bur. Plant Indus., Work Huntley 

 Expt. Farm, 1915, pp. 1-9, 11-14, 18-21, figs. 3). — Continuing previous work 

 (E. S. R., 33, p. 429), this bulletin gives a brief outline of the work being con- 

 ducted on the Huntley reclamation project, including climatic and general 

 agricultural conditions. 



The studies on this project are chiefly with irrigated crops. The results of 

 four years' experiments with various crop rotations are reported, the crops 

 used being alfalfa, sugar beets, potatoes, oats, wheat, corn, and flax. The ex- 

 periments include continuous cropping, and two, three, four, and six year 

 rotations. 



In studies with alfalfa to determine the time of harvesting and shrinkage 

 no consistent increase was found from delaying the cutting of the first crop, 

 although the total yield was slightly higher. There was a slight decrease in 

 the amount of shrinkage in the first crop as the growing period was increased, 

 but only a slight variation in the second crop. The average shrinkage on the 

 project during three years has averaged about 76 per cent of the green weight. 

 Some experiments were made in establishing irrigated pastures, a number of 

 grasses being planted separately and in combinations with and without a 

 nurse crop. All the grasses except Kentucky bluegrass gave good results, 

 although further observations are deemed necessary before drawing definite 

 conclusions. 



Variety tests included wheat, potatoes, and corn. A preliminary report is 

 given on studies of the losses undergone by sugar beets in the silo. 



[Work with field crops on the ScottsblufE reclamation project experiment 

 farm in 1915], F. Knour (U. S. Dept. Agr., Bur. Plant Indus., Work Scotts- 

 bluff Expt. Farm, 1915, pp. 1-11-13-22, figs. 5). — This continues previous work 

 (E. S. R., 34, p. 228), and contains a brief discussion of the various projects 

 under way in 1915, with data on weather and crop conditions. 



A number of experiments have been undertaken with pasture grasses both 

 when seeded alone and in mixtures. The most promising of the grasses tried 

 are tall oat grass, smooth brome grass, orchard grass, and meadow fescue. 



In experiments conducted with crop rotations binder irrigated conditions, 

 reported by J. A. Holden, the results to date indicate that there is a decided 

 gain when beets and potatoes follow alfalfa. The yields of both beets and 

 potatoes have also been materially increased by the use of manure. Seeding 

 alfalfa in the fall, after the removal of a small grain crop, has been found 

 feasible. 



Variety tests with oats and corn were badly damaged by hail, and no defi- 

 nite conclusions could be drawn. Beloturka yielded highest of the spring 

 wheats and Hannchen of the barleys. Of the stock beets tested Giant Red 

 mangels gave the highest 3-year average yield. 



The potato studies included variety tests, seed-stock tests, and irrigation 

 and tillage experiments. In the variety tests No. 4452 and Pearl gave the 



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