FIELD CROPS. 237 



The rational feeding of crops, M Fischer (Mitt. Oekonom Gea. Sachs., 1896 

 pp. 65-90). — The article treats of the use of fertilizers. 



Commercial plant food, W. II. Jordan (Agr. Mass.. 1896, jip. 53-90). — This is ;i 

 popular discussion of the purchase and use of commercial fertilizers with suggestions 

 of means of securing greater economy in the use of such material. The desirability 

 of uniformity in methods of inspection and simplicity in trade names is suggested. 

 The farmer is also advised not to place any reliance in so-called special fertilizers, 

 but to attempt to determine the needs of his crops and soils by experiment, and to 

 buy unmixed fertilizing materials in large lots for cash. More complete utilization 

 of farm sources of manure is strongly urged. 



The influence of mineral salts in commercial fertilizers on the mechanical 

 condition of the soil (Braumchw. landw. Ztg., 65 I 1891 |, No. SO, p. 136). 



Bone meal adulterated with sand, A. Atterberg (Tidskr. Landtman, 17 (1896), 

 pp. 665, 666). 



Field trials with artificial fertilizers, K. Hansen (Tidsskr. Landokon., 16(1897), 

 pp. 184-218) 



FIELD CROPS. 



Field experiments with corn, oats, and forage plants, W. C. 

 Latta andW. B. Anderson {Indiana Sta. Bui. 6-i, pp. 16). — The results 

 of experiments and variety tests with corn and oats are given in tabu- 

 lar form, together with descriptive notes and tabulated data on grasses 



and clovers. 



A number of experiments in early and late planting of corn during 

 periods <>f 5, 6, and 7 years indicated that the best results are to be 

 obtained by planting between the 1st and 10th of May. The highest 

 average for 11 years resulted from planting stalks 14 in. apart in the 

 row. It was noticed in dry years that the yield <>!' stover increased 

 with thicker planting while the yields of grain decreased, yet on the 

 whole a greater total yield of corn and stover was obtained from thicker 

 planting. 



Plats of drilled corn were cultivated 1. 2, and .'! in. deep for 6 con- 

 secutive years, and a plat cultivated 4 in. deep was added in 1894. 

 The best average yield was in favor of cultivating 2 in. deep. 



One series of plats produced corn, oats, and wheat continuously or in 

 alternation with each other for 15 years; while an adjacent series pro- 

 duced those crops in rotation with timothy and clover during the same 

 period. No manure was applied. In 1896 corn was grown on all these 

 plats. The following table shows the results: 



Yield per acre from rotation and all-grain cropping. 



Plan of cropping. 



Crops grown in rotation. 

 Grain cropa only grown. 

 Gain from rotation 



Average of 



9 years. 



Bushels. 

 :J3. J6 

 27.24 

 6.22 



Bushels. 



54.08 



48. 42 



5.66 



In one experiment corn was grown continuously on the same ground 

 since 1880. In 1883 and 18S4 a total of about 50 tons per acre of fresh 

 horse manure was applied to certain plats, and no manure was used 

 afterwards. During 12 years the manured plats averaged 9 bu. more 



