FIELD CROPS. 39 



Plantings were made in strips to eliminate the effect of soil differ- 

 ences in out' direction. The same variety was planted on every third 

 strip for comparison to eliminate lateral differences. The strips were 

 harvested in sections to locate abnormal places. The tables show the 

 total yields of all varieties, the computed yields of the check variety, 

 if it were grown over the whole held, and the yields corrected as the 

 check variety was above or below the average. Variations due to soil 

 differences are thus believed to be almost entirely eliminated. 



Experiments with corn, W. J. Fraser (Illinois Sta. Bui. 46, pp. 

 349-352). — Cultivation experiments were made on a small field divided 

 into 10 plats and planted with Burr white coin. From one plat the 

 weeds were removed but no cultivation was given ; one plat was mulched 

 with grass*! in. deep after the first cultivation; another was cultivated 

 deeply with a double shovel plow, and the remaining plats were culti- 

 vated from 1 to 6 in. deep with a harrow-toothed cultivator. 



The results show a great indifference to cultivation. The 3 highest 

 yields were from the mulched plat, the uncultivated plat, and the plat 

 cultivated in. deep. Ideal conditions as to moisture existed during 

 the season and made cultivation of less importance. 



Corn and potato experiments, R. II. Miller and E. H.Brinklei 

 [Maryland Sta. Bui. 46, pp. 55-69). — Tabulated results of cultivation, 

 distance, and fertilizer experiments with corn and potatoes and of 

 variety tests of potatoes are given. 



Corn. — Commercial fertilizers did not give sufficient returns to he 

 profitable. Crimson clover plowed under increased the yield <>.7 bu. 

 per acre, and where plowed under for 2 years in succession 46 bu. per 

 acre were obtained the first year and 53.4 the second year. 



The cultivation experiment gave but slightly varying results. The 

 average yield for 3 years was t9.5 bu. per acre for drilled and 44.0 for 

 checked corn. 



Potatoes. — Forty-one early varieties were tested and Ilolten Rose was 

 grown on every sixth plat as a check. Vanguard, Summitt, Mil- 

 waukee, Irish Cobbler, Lee Favorite, and Early Maine in the order 

 named produced the largest crops. 



A complete fertilizer proved most effective. Sulphate of potash 

 proved more effective than muriate of potash or kainit. 



Cultivation tests resulted in but slight differences in yield. The 

 rows 2J, ft. apart, with 14 in. between plants in the row. yielded on an 

 average for 3 years 100.5 bu. per acre, as compared with 78.7 bu. for 

 rows 3 ft. apart, with 12 in. between plants. 



Field experiments with corn, cotton, and forage plants, J. H. 

 Connell and J. Clayton [Texas Sta. Bui. 40, pp. 851-874).— This is 

 in part a continuation of work reported in Bulletin 34 of the station 

 (E. S. 11., 7, p. 114). The experiments were made on a black sandy 

 and poorly drained soil. The corn and cotton were grown on tenth- 

 acre plats, every fifth plat containing the same variety as a. check. 



