1917] FIELD CEOPS. 435 



about 10 mg. of soil in an attempt to find whether fungi are as important as 

 bacteria in soil. 



While bacteria were found abundantly, mold hyphae were present only where 

 the soil contained considerable organic matter. Where organic matter was not 

 added to the soil development was slow, and this is considered to suggest that 

 molds are relatively insignificant in the soil. In the author's experiments 

 nearly every kind of soil micro-organism except molds was found, and it is 

 thought doubtful whether fungus mycelium is present to any significant extent 

 in soil. 



FIELD CEOPS. 



Report of [field crops] work at Fairbanks Station, J. W. Neal (Alaska 

 Stas. Rpt. 1915, pp. 42-50, 52-54, pis. 4). — This reports the continuation of 

 field crop work previously noted (E. S. R., 33, p. 631). 



The frost-free period at this station extendi! over an interval of 109 days, 

 spring seeding being begun 18 days earlier tlian in 1914. Four varieties of 

 sjiring wheat were tested, with the Russian variety known as H. G. giving the 

 most promise for the future. Marquis proved to be of good quality and the 

 Russian spring wheat No. 36 was early in maturing. Three varieties of spring 

 barley were tested, with hull-less barley No. 19851 from the station 1914 crop 

 giving the best results. This barley has never failed to mature a full crop 

 when seeded reasonably early. Sixty-day, Canadian, and Finnish Black oats 

 were tested, with the latter giving the highe.st yields. All varieties gave heavy 

 yields, but Finnish Black did not yield so heavily as heretofore. Gesselberg 

 spring rye was tested but was slow in maturing. 



Twelve varieties of winter wheat and four of winter rye were seeded in the 

 fall of 1914. Eight of the wheat varieties winterkilled, while the four remain- 

 ing varieties wintered a fair stand, but were killed by the spring freezing and 

 thawing. This is the first experience of the kind at the station. All the rye 

 wintered a fair stand, but were badly damaged by the spring freezing and 

 thawing. These experiments have been continued and in the fall of 1915 each 

 plat was covered vdth a heavy well-matted growth. 



All alfalfa varieties except a few plants of the Siberian strains winter- 

 killed. Notes are given on the following varieties that made a fair growth : 

 North Swedish, Hansen Cherno, Hansen Cossack, and Hansen Semipalatinsk. 

 New seedings were made of Grimm alfalfa No. 162, Pioneer Strain, Disco No. 28, 

 and Grimm Coin Holder (Glenheim strain). These varieties all made a heavy 

 top growth and the early plants produced many well-filled seed pods. Later 

 seedings were made of Orenburg common alfalfa, hardy Grimm, and Glen- 

 heim White Blossom. No seed pods were set. In these seedings the seed was 

 sown in deep furrows and lightly covered and packed to aid early germination. 



Red clover winterkilled, but a considerable quantity of seed practically 

 matured from the spring seeding, although the weather was too wet to cure 

 the crop. 



One hundred and fifty bu. of Petrowski turnips were set out in the spring, 

 but owing to drought only 260 lbs. of seed were saved. 



Fifteen potato varieties were tested and the yields listed in tabular form. 

 Considerable loss has been sustained from the corky scab and potato rust 

 which the formaldehyde treatment did not seem to check. 



Report of [field crops] work at Kodiak Live Stock and Breeding' Station, 

 M. S. Snodgrass {Alaska Stas. Rpt. 1915, pp. 71-76, 76-79, pU. 2).— The con- 

 tinuation of field crop work previously noted (E. S. R., 33, p. 632) is reported 

 for 1915. 



