828 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol. S6 



p. 528). White Jewel has again proved to be the most resistant variety found, 

 showing a loss by lodging of 40 per cent in comparison with losses as high as 

 90 per cent sustained by other standard varieties. 



Owing to the open and severe winter of 1915-16 serious winterkilling of 

 alfalfa was experienced. L. F. Graber, in tests with different strains of alfalfa 

 originating from both northern and southern grown seed of the purple varie- 

 ties, as well as variegated strains (including the Baltic and Grimm), found 

 nine plats of northern-grown seed showed 55 per cent winterkilling and 3,840 

 lbs. of cured hay per acre ; two plats of southern-grown seed, 52 per cent winter- 

 killing and 4,470 lbs. of hay ; one plat of an imported variety (Turkestan) 31 per 

 cent winterkilling and 5,540 lbs. of hay; and four plats of variegated strains 

 showed 27 per cent winterkilling and 6,045 lbs. of hay. 



Observations indicate that seedings of common alfalfa are much more suscep- 

 tible to winterkilling the second winter than the first. The so-called " hardy 

 alfalfas," the seed of which was derived from 25- to 35-year-old fields in Montana 

 and Dakota, were no more resistant to winterkilling or superior in yields than 

 the common strains from those States. 



Comparative tests of 34 different strains of alfalfa on 2- and 3-year-old growths 

 indicate that there is no correlation between hardiness and the nature of the 

 root growth. Observations show that all of the principal strains of American 

 grown alfalfa possess both the tap root and branched types of root systems. 



Brief notes are given on Sudan grass for Wisconsin. Seedings of from 20 to 

 25 lbs. per acre from June 1 to 10 are recommended. An average yield of 3.5 

 tons of hay per acre has been secured, while a yield of 12.8 tons of forage per 

 acre was realized when sown in cultivated rows for soiling purposes. 



Of the com varieties adapted to upper Wisconsin, Wisconsin No. 25 is recom- 

 mended by E. J, Delwiche for sandy and sandy loam sections not over 1,200 to 

 1,300 ft. in altitude, as it matures ten days earlier than Wisconsin No. 8 (a 

 northern bred variety) and yields approximately 75 bu. per acre. For the cooler 

 climate and heavier soils of the Superior region Wisconsin No. 25, No. 23, 

 Northwestern Dent, and Whitecap Dent mature sufficiently early to make good 

 silage. 



The work in wheat breeding conducted at Madison by B. D. Leith and at Ash- 

 land by E. J. Delwiche has been continued, with Pedigree No. 2 again giving 

 the highest yields and surpassing all other varieties in milling tests as to volume 

 of loaf, A number of pure-line selections and cross selections developed at Ash- 

 land have shown exceptional merit, some yielding 25 per cent over the standard 

 Blue Stem type. Several of these pedigreed strains yielded from 51 to 55 bu. 

 per acre this year, while the soft winter varieties yielded about 4 bu. more than 

 the hard varieties. Efforts are being made to Improve the rust-resisting quali- 

 ties of these strains by selection. 



Work with the soy bean for seed production has been continued. Pedigree 

 No. 2 of the Ito San variety has given the best results at Madison, while Early 

 Black has proved best for upper Wisconsin. Black Eyebrow has been found 

 well adapted for both hay and silage purposes. 



Brief notes are given on the management of sweet clover. 



The development of the hemp industry has been continued under A. H. Wright. 

 The production of fiber in 1916 was estimated at 1,500 lbs. per acre with a value 

 of $105. The total estimated value of the crop for the State is $125,000. Field 

 tests are In progress to determine the suitability of various soil types for hemp 

 production and to ascertain whether or not hemp seed could be matured profit- 

 ably in the State. Efforts are being made to improve the strains used for culti- 

 vation, especially as to early maturity, using Minnesota No. 8 for selection. 



