1917] EXPERIMENT STATION RECORIl. 227 



FIELD CROPS. 



The influence of atmospheric electricity on crop development, T. Hedltjnd 

 {Ber. Verks. Alnarps Lantbr. och Mejeri Inst., 1913, pp. 67-97, fig. 1). — Obser- 

 vations are reported and discussed which led to the conclusion that variations 

 in plant development, either hereditary or otherwise, which manifest themselves 

 in different latitudes are the result of differences in temperature and sunshine, 

 and that there is no evidence that electric currents have any significance in .this 

 connection. 



An experiment in electroculture by the Lemstrom system with sugar beets 

 and grain at Alnarp is described and the data secured are shown in tables. 

 The results were not sufficiently decisive to ascribe increases in yield to the 

 influence of the artificially applied electric currents. 



[Work with field crops on the demonstration farm at Sacaton, Arizona] 

 (U. 8. Dept. Int., Rpt. Comr. Indian Aff., 1915, pp. 26, 27). — ^Notes are given 

 on the culture of various crops on this farm, and a yield of 890 lbs. per acre 

 of lint of long-staple Egyptian cotton on a 4-acre plat under irrigation is 

 reported. 



Growing grain on southern Idaho dry farms, L. C. Aichee {U. S. Dept. 

 Agr., Farmers' Bui. 769 (1916), pp. 23, figs. 9). — This bulletin is a discussion 

 of the dry farming conditions of southern Idaho, based on the results obtained 

 at the Aberdeen substation since 1911. The information given is intended in 

 particular for those who contemplate taking up homestead claims in the Snake 

 River basin territory. The general climatic and soil conditions are discussed. Dry 

 farm machinery equipment is described in some detail, and recommendations are 

 made for its use. The general cultural practices best adapted to the region 

 are discussed, and the most productive varieties of each of the leading cereals 

 given. 



The best winter wheat varieties are those of the Crimean group of hard red 

 winter wheats. The successful production of winter wheat is dependent upon 

 certain climatic and topographical factors which are emphasized in the discus- 

 sion. Leading spring wheat varieties are Early Baart, Pacific Bluestem, and 

 Colorado Special. The production of this crop is also somewhat limited by 

 conditions similar to those mentioned above. The highest-yielding oat varieties 

 are Sixty-Day and Kherson. Winter barley has proved hardy at the lower 

 elevations. Tennessee Winter barley has given the highest yields. Mariout 

 and White Smyrna are the leading spring barley varieties. Winter emmer and 

 spelt, rye, and flax have been tested at the substation, but rye is tlie only one of 

 the four that can be recommended for general use. The Ivanof variety is one 

 of the best types for this region. 



Dry farm grain tests in Montana, A. Atkinson and N. C. Donaldson {Mon- 

 taim Sta. Bui. 110 (1916), pp. 165-218, figs. 7).— The work here reported has 

 been noted from U. S. Department of Agriculture Bulletin 398 and Farmers' 

 Bulletin 749 (E. S. R., 35, p. 735; 36, p. 33). 



Measuring hay in ricks or stacks, H. B. McClltee and W. J. Spillman 

 iU. S. Dept. Agr., Office Sec, Circ. 67 (1916), pp. 10, figs. 4).— This circular is 

 a revision of material noted in Bureau of Plant Industry Circular 131 (E. S. R., 

 29, p. 532), including new data relating to errors in measurement and to the rate 

 of settling of hay in the stack. 



A table has been compiled showing the losses due to measuring 6 in. short in 

 any dimension for the nine different shapes of stacks illustrated. The greatest 

 error occurs in measuring width and the least in measuring the " over." 



The "Department rule," as outlined, is compared with the " quartermaster's 

 rule " and the Frye-Bruhm rule for measuring the volume of a stack in cubic 



