428 



EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



[Vol. 40 



FIELD CROPS. 



Some factors of success and failure in dry farming, A. Kezer (Proc. Soc. 

 Prom. Agr. SoL, 88 (1917), pp. 79-83). — The author presents a general discus- 

 sion of data obtained in farm survey work conducted by the Colorado Experi- 

 ment Station during 1914 in El Paso, Cheyenne. Lincoln, Adams, and Logan 

 Counties to determine what farm methods are profitable under the dry land con- 

 ditions of eastern Colorado. 



It is concluded that a proper adjustment between live stock and crop acres is 

 essential, but that it varies with locality, the best practice being deemed one 

 in which all the time possible is devoted to crop production and just enough 

 live stock kept to consume and furnish a market for all crops that can not be 

 marketed for cash. The highest labor incomes were not obtained from the 

 farms having the highest yields, but from those having good yields on consider- 

 able acreages. 



Arranging the farms in groups according to the average number of crop acres 

 per farm, the relative labor incomes were found to be as follows: 



Average crop acres per farm and labor income equivalent. 



Other data indicate that the besl ratio of live stock to crop acres varies 

 from year to year, but is apparently one of 8 acres in crops per animal unit. A 

 special study made in Logan County showed the labor income was higher for 

 that class of residents which had occupied the land from 7 to i<» years than 

 for that of the l<> to L5 or L5 to 20 year class, duo to a better balancing of live 

 stock and crop acres. 



Experiments in electrical stimulation of crops, II. I.. WASHINGTON (U. S. 

 Dept. Cum., Cum. Rpts., Wo. i-') [1918), i>. HO). — This briefly notes experiments 

 with various crops grown on electrified ami nonelectrifled areas in Calderstones 

 Park, Liverpool, during 1917. The electrical treatment consisted In the discharge 

 of a high-tension current from a series of fine wires suspended above the area. 

 The following table shows the results obtained expressed In percentages Of 

 increase or decrease in weight of the electrically treated crops in comparison 

 with the untreated crops: 



Effect of electrical stimulation of crops. 



