214 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Preparaiio7i for plantinfi (pp. 17-20). — In a test of tliorougli, partial, 

 and no plowing the yields for 3 years increased with the thoroughness 

 of ])reparation of the soil. Harrowing with the disc or spring-tooth 

 harrow, instead of plowing, was unsatisfactory. The yields from j)low- 

 ing 4i ill. deep were better than from in. deej). Subsoiling showed 

 no gain for the 3 years in yiekl of rutabagas, corn, or sugar beets. 

 . Bute of seedhifi (pp. 22-24). — Tabulated data for 3 years are given. 

 At a distance of 45 in. in 45-inch rows the total yield increased as the 

 number of stalks in the hill increased, but there was an increased pro- 

 portion of unmerchantable ears. The authors found that with a stand 

 of 85 per cent it was unprofitable for the single season's trial to replant 

 the missing hills. 



Cult i ratio)!, (pp. 25-27). — In deep vs. shallow culture the better yields 

 were obtained from the latter. 



Tt?e drainage (pp. 27, 28). — Tile drainage on upland clay with fair 

 surface drainage has been for 3 years unprofitable with corn, mangel 

 wurzels, and .sugar beets. Weekly moisture determinations indicated 

 slight differences in the water content of the drained and undrained 

 soil from A])ril to October. 



Yields and time of ripening of five different varieties of maize, 

 Samek [Tirol, landiv. Blatter, 15 {1S96), lio. 9, p. 85). — Two foreign and 

 3 native varieties of nmize were comi)ared as to yield and time of ripen- 

 ing. The very tenacious soil received an application of barnyard 

 manure and on May 10 was planted to maize at distances of 40 cm. in 

 07 cm. rows. 



The yields are tabulated. The periods of ripening extended from 

 August 21 with Szekler to October 19 with White Lanaer, the duration 

 of growth thus varying from 98 to 150 days. The early or foreign sorts 

 suffered more from insect attacks than the native or late sorts. The 

 highest yield was given by W^hite Lanaer 50.22 bu. per acre, followed 

 by a native light yellow sort 44.89 bu., Cinquantino 30.10 bu., Polish 

 maize 32.72 bu., and Szekler 23.25 bu. The last two were the foreign 

 varieties and had the shortest periods of growth. Had they been 

 planted more closely they would i)robably have given a larger yield. 

 They are well adapted to northern climates with shorter seasons or to 

 double cropping in warm regions. 



Grain and forage crops, J. H. Shepperd {North Daliota Sta. Bui. 

 23, x^p. 31-54). — Previous work in this line was published in Bulletins 

 10 and 11 of the station (E. S. Pv., 5, pj). 170, 078). Tabulated yields 

 are given of 36 varieties of sirring wheat, 39 of oats, 20 of barley, 23 of 

 corn, and 38 of potatoes. The Tartarian and Race Horse varieties of 

 oats Avere comparatively rust proof. 



The rotation plats were reduced in size in 1894 from 1 acre to ^ 

 acre and the number increased to 35. Compared with the yield of 

 wheat under continuous cropping, the effect of the rotation during the 

 first year was to increase the yield after summer fallow 03 per cent; 



