528 EXPERIMENT STATION RECOBD. [Vol.36 



The small grains have been placed in a separate group in order to emphasize 

 the differences that occur among themselves. The grasses studied are all 

 common to the eastern United States, the distinctively western species being 

 excluded. 



In addition to the analytical key, detailed descriptions of 48 seedling grasses 

 and 8 small grain seedlings are given and illustrated. 



Dry farming in Utah, F. S. Haeeis and A. D. Ellison {Utah Sta. Circ. 21 

 (1916), pp. 3-S5, figs. 15). — This circular is a general discussion of dry farming 

 in Utah, with recommendations regarding the selection and management of 

 land for dry-farming purposes. Dry -farm crops for Utah are listed as follows : 

 Wheat, rye, oats, barley, emmer, potatoes, corn, peas, beans, alfalfa, the sor- 

 ghums, and certain miscellaneous crops, as the gi-asses, clovers, flax, etc. Other 

 points discussed are seed selection, cultural methods, cropping systems, storage 

 of water in the soil, irrigation as a supplement to dry farming, and dry-farm 

 equipment. A general summary of the discussion is as follows: (1) Dry farms 

 should not be located in regions having less than 12 in. of rainfall a year; 

 (2) the soil should be uniform and deep and should support a good natural 

 growth, preferably of sagebrush; (3) new land should be plowed a year before 

 planting a dry-farm crop and fallowed each alternate year; (4) deep plowing 

 and thorough tillage during the following year are necessary to conserve mois- 

 ture; and (5) irrigation is often a valuable supplement to dry farming. 



A twenty-year comparison of different rotations of com, potatoes, rye, and 

 grass, B. L. Haetwell, S. C. Damon, et al. {Rhode Island Sta. Bill. 167 {1916), 

 pp. 38). — This reports the results of investigations with different crop rota- 

 tions, and fertilizer studies in connection with them, which were begun in 1893. 

 Previous reports have appeared, giving the methods of planting, care, fertilizer 

 formulas, and details regarding each rotation (E. S. R., 7, p. 396; 12, p. 1030; 

 13, p. 34 ; 15, p. 144 ; 16, p. 150 ; and 21, p. 730). 



The rotations were as follows: Three-year — potatoes, rye and rowen, and 

 grass ; 4-year — potatoes, rye and rowen, grass, and corn ; 5-year — potatoes, 

 rye and rowen, grass, grass, and corn; 5-year — potatoes, rye, grass, grass, and 

 corn; and 6-year — potatoes, rye and rowen, grass, grass, grass, and corn. In 

 the early spring 3 lbs. of alsike and 4.5 lbs. of red clover per acre were sown 

 on all plats except those of the second 5-year rotation. 



The cultural methods practiced toward the end of the 20-year period are 

 discussed for each crop, and the fertilizer treatments for the various crops 

 for the entire period are given in tabular form. The yield of each crop for 

 each year of the experiment is also tabulated and the averages for each rota- 

 tion briefly discussed. 



The average yields per acre for all crops at the time of harvesting were 207 

 bu. of potatoes over 2 oz. ; 17 bu. of rye, 1.57 tons of straw and 0.66 ton rowen ; 

 3.16 tons first-year hay and rowen ; 3.08 tons second-year hay ; and 58 bu. hard 

 corn. The highest yield of marketable potatoes, 223 bu., was secured from the 

 6-year rotation, the 5-year rotation without legumes being second with 216 bu. 

 The highest yield of rye grain, 19 bu., and straw, 1.7 tons, was secured from 

 the 3-year rotation. The highest hay yields were secured from the 6-year rota- 

 tion regardless of the number of years removed from seeding. The highest 

 yields of corn, 03 and 61 bu., were secured from the 4 and 6 year rotations, 

 respectively. 



The comparative effect of manure and chemical fertilizers on yields is dis- 

 cussed, and the conclusion drawn that there was no decided difference in the 

 corn yields when 4 cords of stable manure or chemical fertilizers, furnishing 

 30 lbs. of nitrogen, 80 lbs. of phosphoric acid, and 60 lbs. of potash, were used. 



