1918.] FIELD CROPS. 829 



(tirst foot) and from 0.7 to 3.67 per cent in the subsoil (second foot). Of the 

 crops sown in the summer only pigeon peas and Japanese cane made satisfac- 

 tory growth, all others failing completely after a period of about 70 days' 

 stunted growth. Fall seedings resulted in good stands, but no better growth 

 was made than in the case of the summer plantings, except on small scattered 

 areas where brush piles had been burned. The stimulated growth observed 

 on these areas led to rather extensive studies of the effect of burning brush in 

 ditches and on the level surface of these soils and incorporating the ashes with 

 the soil. A comparative test of stable manure applied at the rate of 33 tons 

 per acre in ditches 1 ft. deep and rolled level was also includsd. Various 

 crops, numbering 45 in all, and including grasses, oats, wheat, Japanese millet, 

 edible caunu, sorghums, cassava, and legumes, were grown on soils receiving 

 the various treatments, and the resulting growth is indicated in tabular form 

 on a basis of 100 per cent for normal growth under normal soil and moisture 

 conditions. The best average results for all crops were obtained from the 

 manured plats, while burning over the ditched and level soil resulted in in- 

 creased production over the untreated checks for practically all the crops. 

 Observations are also noted on the effect of iron compound sprays on the 

 various forage crops lh'Owu on manganese soils. Alfalfa sprayed with copperas 

 every two weeks during April and May showed a slight effect previous to a 

 cutting made June 2, but not on later growth, while on Japanese cane the 

 effects were quite marked. 



Progress report, Substation No. 7, Spur, Tex., 1909 to 1914, R. E. Dickson 

 (Texas Sta. Bui. 218 {1911}, pp. 7-33, figs. 7).— This reports the results of 

 variety and cultural tests with alfalfa, Sudan grass, grain and forage sorghums, 

 cotton, corn, small grains, and cowpeas ; and of field experiments on time and 

 methods of seed-bed preparation, and on manuring. The average annual pre- 

 cipitation for the 20-year period 1895 to 1914. inclusive, was 21.73 in., of which 

 15.17 in. fell during the sis summer months. The average date of the last 

 killing frost in the spring was March 18, and the first in the fall, October 25, 

 for the iDeriod 1911 to 1914, inclusive. Much of the experimental work reported 

 was conducted during 1914, when a total precipitation of 34.63 in. obtained. 



The successful production of alfalfa is deemed the most important contribu- 

 tion of the substation to the agriculture of the State, a 4-year-old field giving 

 a total yield of 3.74 tous of hay per acre in 1914. Fall seeding is said to be 

 much more desirable thisn spring seeding. In the fall of 1913 alfalfa sown in 

 close drills and in 18 and 36 in. rows showed average yields amounting to 2.27, 

 1.42 and 1.22 tons of hay per acre, respectively. Yields of cured hay, ranging 

 from 1.72 tons for Province to 2.96 for Turkestan, were obtained in variety 

 tests conducted during 1913-14. A seeding rate of 10 lbs. per acre is deemed 

 amply sufficient on a well prepared seed bed, while excellent results are said 

 10 have been secured with a rate of 4 lbs. per acre. 



Seeding Sudan grass for hay in 18-in. rows, broadcast, and in 36-in. rows 

 resulted in yields amounting to 4.927, 4.551, and 4.204 tons per acre, respectively. 

 A seeding rate of 14 lbs. per acre gave a slightly heavier yi^eld, 5.14 tons of 

 hay, than rates of 7, 18, 22, 32, or 40 lbs. Sudan grass was also grow-n in close 

 drills and in 36- and 18-in. rows for seed in 1914, and resulted in yields of 989.5, 

 973.5, aud 847 lbs. per acre, respectively. A seeding rate of 22 lbs. with a yield 

 of seed of 1,209 lbs. was found to be superior to rates of 7, 14, IS, 32, or 40 lbs. 

 per acre. 



In grain sorghum variety tests, Dwarf Yellow milo, feterita, and Dwarf 

 White milo gave average yields of 50.58, 40.58, and 37.32 bu. per acre, re- 

 spectively. Red Kafir, with a yield of 15.46 tons of green forage per acre, 



