832 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.36 



dom winterkills, (2) because of poor drainage, and (3) because of certain limit- 

 ing factors which entered into the field tests. 



It is stated that grain should not be sown in furrows where the land is poorly 

 drained, nor on hillsides subject to erosion. This method appears to be espe- 

 cially promising for areas where the moisture supply is deficient, and where 

 the winters are cold and characterized by light snowfall and frequent winds. 



The effect of clipping on the root development of alfalfa, R. McKee {Jour. 

 Amer. Soc. Agron., 8 (1916), No. 5, pp. S29-332 ) .— This is a brief account of 

 some alfalfa investigations conducted at Chico, Cal., during the seasons of 1912, 

 1913, and 1914. 



The effect of clipping alfalfa the first season was studied with special refer- 

 ence to root development, and it was found that clipping materially reduced the 

 diameter of the root immediately below the crown. The effect of clipping the 

 first season on the subsequent yield of hay, as observed so far as the length of 

 the experiment permits, wag indicated to be that clipping the first year reduces 

 the subsequent yields of hay, especially in the first and second season, unless the 

 clipping is essential for weed control. 



Com. — Varieties and limiting factor tests, season 1916, W. L. Hutchinson 

 (South Carolina Sta. Bui. 190 (1917), pp. 7).— Tests with 16 varieties of corn 

 at Clemson College and 17 varieties at the Pee Dee substation are reported. 



Lowman Yellow gave the highest yield at Clemson College, with 43.2 bu. 

 per acre, and Marlboro the highest at Pee Dee, with 45.7 bu. Lowman Yellow 

 was second at the Pee Dee substation, with 44.6 bu. The lowest yielding 

 variety at both stations was Hickory King, with 29 and 26.8 bu., respectively. 



Limiting factor studies with various fertilizers were continued with the same 

 results as previously noted (B. S. R., 35, p. 338). The check plats at the Pee 

 Dee substation, growing cowpeas with corn in a two-year rotation of corn and 

 cowpeas and cotton, gave good yields, indicating that the soil is being improved 

 without the aid of fertilizers. 



Com, yields per acre and prices, by States, 50 years 1866—1915 (V. S. 

 Dept. Agr. Bui. 515 (1917), pp. 16). — Tabulated statistics are given for the 

 yield of corn per acre, prices, and values for each year of the 50-year period 

 1866-1915 in the United States, the several divisions of States, as North Atlan- 

 tic, South Atlantic, etc., and by States. 



Cotton. — Varieties and limiting factor tests, 1916, W. L. Hutchinson 

 (South Carolina Sta. Bui. 189 (1917), pp. 8). — Continuing work previously noted 

 (E. S. R., 35, p. 136), results of tests with 26 varieties of cotton at Clemson 

 College and of 30 at the Pee Dee substation are reported. 



It is recommended that the Webber-Columbia types of long-staple cotton be 

 carefully selected for length of fiber, without lessening their good qualities, in 

 order that they may be clearly grouped as long-staple varieties, even when 

 grown under adverse conditions. The Cleveland, Cook (when free from an- 

 thracnose). Sawyer, and Pulnott are reported as having outstanding merit in 

 the short-staple group. 



At Clemson College the Webber variety was first, with a tota^ value of $157.54 

 per acre, and Columbia second with $137.04. Of the short-staple types Simmons 

 Cleveland stood first, with a total value of $133.78. For the varieties tested 

 the rate of yield of lint ranged from 272 to 608 lbs. per acre, and the percentage 

 of lint from 28 to 40. 



Alabama Cook, with a total value of $131.92 per acre, stood first at the Pee 

 Dee substation and Pulnott second, with a total value of $124.39. The, range 

 in the rate of yield of lint for the varieties tested at this station was from 

 210 to 608 lbs. per acre, and the percentage of lint from 29 to 39. 



