FIELD CROPS. 441 



One hundred and thirty-six varieties of corn were tested for fodder, 

 silage, and grain. Of the 53 varieties under trial for G years Chester 

 Comity Mammoth stands first, Brazilian Field second, and Mammoth 

 White Surprise third in average yield per acre. Mammoth Southern 

 Sweet, Wisconsin Earliest, White Dent, and Compton Early, represent- 

 ing the early, medium, and late varieties, were planted to test the effect 

 of distance between plants and rows. The largest total yield of green 

 crop per acre was produced from the plants which were 4 in. apart in 

 the drill and the largest yield of ear corn in every case was produced 

 from the plants which were 12 in. apart in the drill. Seeds from the 

 small end of the ear gave the largest total crop and seeds from the 

 large end of the ear the largest crop of ears. Planting corn 2 in. was 

 better than planting 1 or 3 in. deep. Corn from seed grown in Ontario 

 and from seed grown in the United States gave practically the same 

 results. 



Among 8 fodder crops rape was the most productive, and when large, 

 plump seed was used better results were obtained than from the use of 

 smaller seed. Four inches between plants in the drill proved to be 

 the preferable distance. Eape seed planted 2 in. deep gave better 

 results than seed planted 1, 3, or 4 in. deep. Nitrate of soda was more 

 effective than other commercial fertilizers applied to the crops. The 

 rape crop responded readily to subsoiling. 



Alfalfa gave more than double the average yield per acre of either 

 sainfoin, Long lied Rawdon, Mammoth Red Perennial, Alsike, Yellow 

 Trefoil, or the common red clovers. Crimson clover has not given 

 favorable results. 



In a test of 21 varieties of grass lyme grass (Elymus virginicus) pro- 

 duced the heaviest yield of green crop. An experiment with different 

 grass mixtures for permanent pastures was made, and notes ou miscel- 

 laneous crops are given. 



Peas and oats when sown together produced the largest yield of 

 green crop per acre of all the mixtures of peas, oats, wheat, and barley 

 which were sown. Sowing 2 bu. of oats and 3 bu. of peas per acre 

 gave better results than sowing less of either or both. 



German or Golden millet on trial for 5 years gave the largest yield 

 of green crop per acre among the varieties of millets tested. Three 

 Japanese varieties recently introduced proved promising. 



Soil and forage crop tests at Dover, W. H. Bishop (Delaware Sta. 

 Bpt. lS9G,pp. 100-163). — Previous work in this line was published in 

 the Annual Report of the station for 1895 (E. S. R., 8, p. 486). A series 

 of plats, consisting of 3 check plats and 7 others, fertilized with nitrogen, 

 phosphoric acid, and potash, alone and in combinations of 2 and 3, were 

 planted to Chester County Mammoth com, teosinte, Pearl millet, Long- 

 Red niangel-wurzels, Vilmorin Improved sugar beets, Yellow Millo 

 maize, White Millo maize, Brown durra, Red Kafir corn, and White 

 Kafir corn. The results are given in tables. 



Teosinte gave a larger yield than any of the other forage Crops. Of 



