1917] FIELD CROPS. 133 



highest yields. The seed-stock tests showed immature seed to be distinctly 

 superior for planting. The irrigation and tillage experiments indicated that 

 through a series of years very little difference in yield is to be expected as a 

 result of different methods of irrigation or ditching. 



Experiments with sugar beets indicated that deep plowing and deep cultiva- 

 tion are not beneficial to the sugar beet, while they are a source of added 

 expense. 



[Work with field crops on the Truckee-Carson reclamation project experi- 

 ment farm in 1915], F. B. Headley (U. S. Dept. Agr., Bur. Plant Indus., Work 

 Truckee-Carson Expt. Farm, 1915, pp. 1-10, fig. 1). — This publication continues 

 previous work (E. S. R., 33, p. 728), giving in addition to a report on experi- 

 ments in progress a brief summary of weather conditions, a temperature survey 

 of the project, and a statement as to agricultural conditions. 



In pasturing hogs on alfalfa, a net gain of $44.04 per acre was realized. Ex- 

 periments have been conducted with corn, but acclimatized varieties have not 

 yet been developed. In variety tests with wheat Little Club and Dicklow have 

 given the highest yields. A number of varieties of barley were tested, with 

 the Coast variety proving far superior to all others. Golden tankard mangels 

 have given larger yields than the long red mangel. 



[Work with field crops on the Yuma reclamation project experiment farm 

 in 1915], R. E. Blair {U. S. Dept. Agr., Bur. Plant Indus., Work Ywna Expt. 

 Farm, 1915, pp. 1-15, figs. 2). — This continues previous work (E. S. R., 34, p. 

 229), including meteorological data and a discussion of the general agricultural 

 conditions. 



In work with Durango cotton, it was again found that any check in growth 

 occasioned by drought after the heavy setting of fruit begins is directly reflected 

 in both the yields and the quality of the fiber. A number of varieties of alfalfa 

 were tested but have not been grown a suflicient length of time to give definite 

 results. This was also true of a number of experiments relating to the treat- 

 ment of alfalfa seed production. Of the 374 strains and varieties of grain 

 sorghums tested, none were found superior to varieties already being grown. 

 Sudan grass has proved to be of value when planted on depleted alfalfa fields 

 or when the hay mixture resulting from such a crop is desired. Sudan grass 

 also furnishes satisfactory pasture when properly irrigated. 



A number of miscellaneous forage crops were tested out, among them being 

 forage sorghums, several varieties of millet, flax, and broom corn. Alfalfa 

 showed an increased yield of approximately 2 tons per acre of air-dry hay 

 following a green manure crop. 



Cereal experiments on the Cheyenne Experiment Farm, Archer, Wyoming, 

 J. W. Jones {U. S. Dept. Agr. Bui. ^30 (1916), pp. 40, figs. 12).— This bulletin 

 reports a number of cooperative experiments conducted on the Cheyenne Experi- 

 ment Farm, Archer, Wyo., since 1912. The results are not given as final but 

 as an indication of what might be expected under similar dry-farming condi- 

 tions. A detailed description of the territory is given, including a compre- 

 hensive discussion of the climatic conditions. The plan of the experiment in- 

 cludes variety tests, rate-of-seeding tests, and date-of-seeding tests. 



The following varieties of the principal grain crops are regarded as the most 

 promising for the district : Ghirka and Kharkof winter wheat ; Kubanka, Erivan, 

 and Marquis spring wheat ; Kherson, Sixty-Day, and Swedish Select oats ; White 

 Smyrna and Hanuchen spring barley ; and Montana Common and Select Russian 

 flax. Neither v/inter nor spring emmer has proved of value. Foxtail and proso 

 millets have given only low yields, and buckwheat does not appear promising. 

 Grain sorghums and corn are deemed promising forage crops for roughage or 

 silage, but apparently have little or no value as forage crops. 



