130 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.38 



Sugar beets grown in rotation yielded 1.59 tons more per acre in 1916 tlian 

 in 1915, tlie average percentage of sugar, however, amounting to 15.5 in 1916 

 as compared with 17.7 in 1915. Beets grown on manured oat stubble land 

 gave an average yield of 12.52 tons per acre, while the average yield after oats 

 without manure was 8.5 tons. 



Maximum yheat yields were secured in a 2-year rotation with sugar beets. 

 Wheat grown continuously for 5 years yielded 21.7 bu. per acre as compared 

 with a yield of 24.8 bu. on an adjoining plat where the straw was returned 

 each fall and plowed under. 



Maximum corn yields were secured in a 2-year rotation with potatoes and 

 the minimum yield in a 2-year rotation with oats. Flax following alfalfa pas- 

 tured by hogs in 1914 and corn hogged off in 1915 yielded 27.9 bu. per acre in 

 1916, while flax grown continuously for 5 years produced 7.5 bu. per acre. 



In experiments in establishing irrigated pasturage, three grass mixtures were 

 employed, representing rates of seeding of 21, 17, and IG lbs. per acre, respec- 

 tively. Average acre yields were secured amounting to 35 bu. of wheat as a 

 nurse crop cut for grain, 1.93 tons for wheat cut for hay, and 0.85, 0.22, and 

 0.67 ton of grass hay for mixtures 1, 2, and 3, respectively. It was concluded 

 that good stands of grasses could be obtained with grain seeded as a nurse 

 crop provided proper care is exercised in applying the irrigation water. It is 

 deemed expedient to meet the water requirements of the grasses rather than 

 those of the nurse crop for the best results. Plats seeded in the manner de- 

 scribed above in 1915 are said to show comparatively little difference in the 

 growth of the gras.ses although those seeded without a nurse crop produced 

 slightly more growth early in the season. 



Spacing tests with sugar beets were conducted in 1912, 1914, and 1916, the 

 beets being planted in rows 18, 20, and 24 in. apart and thinned to distances of 

 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 in. in the row for each row width. The highest yield for 

 1916 was at the rate of 15.4 tons per acre from the 24-in. rows, with beets thinned 

 to 6 in, in the row. The lowest yield, amounting to 13.26 tons per acre, was 

 secured from 18-in. rows thinned to 15 in. Three-year average yields for the 

 different row widths amounted to 15.31, 15.17, and 16.03 tons per acre for 

 18-, 20-, and 24-inch rows, respectively. Average yields for plats thinned to 6, 9, 

 12, 15, and 18 In. regardless of distance between rows amounted to 15.95, 15.03, 

 15.77, 15.31, and 15.51 tons, respectively. A slight decrease in sugar content 

 appeared to accompany an increase in width of row, distance of thinning, and 

 size of beet produced. 



Field tests in sugar beet root-louse control by means of irrigation, similar to 

 more limited experiments conducted in 1915, are reported with results confirma- 

 tory of those previously noted (E. S. R., 33, p. 430). 



Sugar beets siloed at harvest time showed an average loss in weight on 

 December 1 of 4.4 per cent. Based on 1916 prices for sugar beets it is esti- 

 mated that the average loss in value amounted to 28.5 cts. per ton, the sugar 

 content remaining practically constant 



Red, white, and alsike clovers were sown on duplicate plats in the spring 

 with wheat as a nurse crop cut for hay, with wheat cut for grain and without 

 a nurse crop, and seeded in late summer in wheat stubble. Red clover produced 

 a good stand with the three methods of spring seeding, while white and alsike 

 clovers produced good stands only without a nurse crop, a stand estimated at 

 about 50 per cent being secured with a nurse crop. All three clovers produced 

 good stands from the late summer seedings. Red clover plats gave an average 

 yield of 1.8 tons of hay per acre and alsike clover a yield of 0.65 ton per acre. 

 The average yield of wheat as a nurse crop cut for grain was 40.6 bu. per acre 

 and of wheat cut for hay 2.03 tons per acre. 



