P^IELD CROPS. 151 



low-grade acid phosphate, and 300 lbs. of muriate of potash per acre, which was 

 applied entirely in the drill. 



The general results of the experiments showed that rye ami grass, especially on 

 tine and compact soils, should come early in the rotation and lie followed by corn 

 and potatoes after the tilth of the soil has been materially improved. It is believed 

 that, if lime or wood ashes had been applied at the very beginning of the tests, 

 regardless of the crop, the results would have been more satisfactory. The authors 

 believe that, if the rotation is begun as suggested and the fertilizers used during the 

 second course are applied as described, most Rhode Island soils may lie profitably 

 renovated and their fertility maintained solely by the use of commercial fertilizers. 

 The financial results obtained on the different plats are shown in tables. 



The department of agronomy, L. A. Merrill (Utah Sta. Rpt. 1902, />/>. XIX- 

 XXXIII). — The work and equipment of the department are briefly noted and 

 experimental results are recorded. A rotation experiment has been in progress for 

 only 2 years, but some differences as a result of the treatment are already noticed. 

 Two plats upon which wheat is to be grown continuously, the one receiving barn- 

 yard manure each year and the other receiving no fertilizer whatever, yielded in 

 1901, 20.66 and 17.83 bu., and in 1902, 30 and 10.83 l>u., respectively. In all cases 

 the yields for 1902 were much greater from the manured than from the unmanured 

 plats, the increase for wheat being 24 per cent in one rotation, 177 per cent in another, 

 and 99 per cent in a third. The results further show the need of fertilization for the 

 successful production of sugar beets. Comparing the results from the barnyard ma- 

 nure plat with those from the plat receiving 200 lbs. of nitrate of soda per acre, it is 

 seen that in both years the yields were in favor of the manure. Summer fallow 

 every third year to follow wheat and oats does not -show as large an increase as the 

 continuous cropping with the yearly use of barnyard manure. 



Forty-eight varieties of fall wheat were tested, Turkey leading with a yield of 42.17 

 bu. per acre, and being followed in productiveness by Red Chaff, Siberian, and Ruby. 

 Canadian Wonder, Red Cross, and Ramsey, standing last in the list, yielded each 

 31.95 bu. per acre. The average yield for the 2 years of the 2 subsoil plats was 9.5 

 per cent better than that on plats plowed 10 in. deep but not subsoiled. 



Thirty varieties of spring wheat were grown, and the highest yield obtained per 

 acre was 44.78 bu. Sixty-Day oats yielded in 1901, 87.18 bu. as compared with 68.75 

 bu. for the variety next highest in yield; and in 1902 the yield was 88.89 bu., again 

 considerably higher than that of any other variety. v 



The following varieties of barley, named in the order of highest yield, were grown: 

 Sal/.er California Prolific, Highland Chief, Mandscheuri, Silver King, Success, Cali- 

 fornia, and Black Barley. 



Twelve varieties of macaroni wheat were grown without irrigation, giving an aver- 

 age yield of 32.11 bu. per acre. The leading variety, Mahmoudi, produced a yield 

 per acre of 42.46 bu. 



Several varieties of sorghum were tested and the chemical analyses of the cane and 

 the sirup are given. Rape, sand vetch, flat pea, soy bean, giant spurry, cowpea>, 

 velvet beans, teosinte, and lentils have made good growth at the station. 



Cross-bending test of stems in cereal breeding, P. Holdefleiss ( lllus. Landw. 

 Ztg., 24 (1904), No. 26, pp. 2u.], 294, fig. 1; Deut. Zandw. Presse, 31 (1904), X<>. 29, 

 j>. 256, fig. 1). — The value in cereal breeding of cross-bending tests of the straw to 

 determine its strength, with a view to selecting seed from plants with strong stems 

 and consequently with a reduced tendency to lodge, is discussed and methods of 

 conducting the tests together with the apparatus used are described. 



The cultivation of corn, C. P. Hartley ( U. S. Dept. Agr. Yearbook 190S, pp. 

 175-192, ph. 5, figs. 7).— In the discussion of the subject the author considers the 

 production of corn in its relation to the fertility of the soil, means of preventing soil 



