FIELD CROPS. 



Tlio fi»l]()wiiig table j^fives a summary of the results: 



Percentage difference in yields of corn cultivated -i in. and /^ in. deep. 



301 



The author says: "It is here seeu that of the 20 trials 14 are in favor 

 of 3-inch cultivation and 5 in favor of the li-iuch, while in the other 

 the yields are equal." 



These results are not in full accord with similar work at other stations, 

 and the author concludes as follows: "It seems to be quite definitely 

 settled that with rare exceptions a cultivation as deep as 4 inches is 

 less productive than a shallower one. It seems also clear that the best 

 depth to cultivate is not constant, either for soil or seasons. The prob- 

 lem is manifestly a complex one, and in view of the magnitude of the 

 interests involved merits a more extended and careful study than it has 

 yet received.'' 



Effect of depih of cultivation on the water content of the soil (pp. 279- 

 291). — This has been studied during three seasons. The water was 

 determined in 1-foot sections at depths of 1, 2, 3, and 4 feet, the samples 

 being "taken in the center between the 2 middle rows of each group 

 of 4, and 2 adjacent groups of rows only have been compared." Where 

 there was an api)reciable slope of the surface from one group to another 

 the samples from 2 groups of like cultivation on opposite sides and 

 adjacent to the group with which they were compared were combined, 

 giving their average water content. 



The results are tabulated. The author concludes as follows: 



"The results, covering 3 consecutive years and embracing 12 sets of determinations, 

 each extending to a depth of 4 ft., taken in 7 diflerent fields, show in a very con- 

 clusive manner that cultivation 3 in. deep does leave the ground luoie moist below 

 the soil stirred than cultivation 1.5 in. deep. Indeed . . . there are only 2 cases in 

 the surface foot and iu)nc in the second foot where the soil of the 3-inch cultivation 

 is not more moist than the shallower depth, the average difference being 0.74 per 

 cent for the first foot and 1 per cent for the second foot; and this means for the soils 

 in question a ditference of 1.5 lbs. of water to the sijuare foot in the upper 2 ft. in 

 favor of the 3-inch cultivation; and this ditl'erence has occurred, too, where, in the 

 majority of ca.se8. there has been a larger production of dry matter and presumably 

 a larger consumption of water. . . . 



"The data bring into strong relief another effect which has been referred to in 

 earlier reports, namely, the translocation of soil moisture. ... Of the 4 sets of 



