330 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol. 40 



grown in a given environment the greater is its superiority over the introduced 

 sorts. 



Observations on 3,000 heads of Kafir corn to determine the relation of the 

 number of whorls to the weight of heads Indicated that heavy heads had fewer 

 whorls than light heads and thrashed a higher percentage of grain. Kansas 

 Orange sorghum was first, in a comparison with corn and Kafir corn for silage, 

 for 5 years, with an average yield of 18 tons per acre. Soy beans have pro- 

 duced from a third to a half more hay per acre than cowpeas and from two to 

 three times as much seed, several varieties averaging 'J."> bu. per acre or more 

 for the past three years. Local adapted strains of Kentucky blue grass proved 

 to be much superior to introduced strains. 



Grazing experiments are noted in which a portion of the pasture was pro- 

 tected for a part of the season, while a similar area was grazed throughout the 

 season. More seed Is said to have matured on the protected area, and the 

 average germination of the seed was twice as high. Sweet clover and several 

 tame grasses were seeded in the native sod in an effort to Improve the pasture, 

 but sweet clover alone lias proved promising. The yellow type appeared to pre- 

 dominate. Burning over the pasture early in the spring did aot seem to injure 

 the grass so far as its immediate effect was concerned. 



A study was made of the effect of maturity and methods of harvesting and 

 curing on corn, sorghum, and Sudan grass. Barren corn obtained by covering 

 the silk at time of tassellng, was found to contain more protein and less crude 

 fiber than normal corn. Willi sorghum the percentage of protein and crude 

 fiber decreased and that of nitrogen fr jxtract Increased as the plant ma- 

 tured. The amount of protein in Sudan grass was closely related to the yield, 

 the percentage of protein being higher with a smaller yield. The largest amount 

 of total nutrient was obtained when the grass was cut in full bloom. 



Work with potatoes included variety ti ' -. d control, and fertilizer 



experiments. Irish Cobbh r and Early Rose have given the highest yields, while 

 Colorado seed was less productive than either northern grown or Kaw Valley seed. 

 As compared with Liquid sprays, dry sprays were applied more rapidly and 

 cheaply and were as effective in controlling the Colorado potato beetle. Liquid 

 Bordeaux mixture was much more effective in controlling early blight Fer- 

 tilizer applications resulted in increased yields in favorable years, potash 

 exercising the greatest Influence on yields. 



The highest yield Of wheat, 34.8 bu. per acre, obtained at the Fort Hays 

 substation was secured on land prepared for soi-hum in 1915, but which was 

 practically fallowed due to the poor stand of sorghum. The crop is said to 

 have been produced at an average cost of 33 cts, per bushel. The average yield 

 of wheat at the substation amounted to 24.2 bu. per acre. Studies of cultural 

 methods under dry farming conditions and variety tests and selection work 

 with cer. als and forage crops tor western Kansas are briefly noted. Several 



strains of Crimean, Kharkof, Turkey, and tfalakoff wheat have been developed 

 which are said to outyiel.l the check varieties by as much as 4.5 bu. per acre. 

 At the Garden City substation the fallow and green manure plats of winter 

 wheat were practically the only ones producing harvestable crops, the highest 

 yield being 14 bu. per acre and the average yield for all tillage methods and 

 rotations 5.4 bu. The average yields of stover from corn. Kafir corn, and milo 

 maize were 12,100, 1,900, and 1,800 lbs. per acre, respectively. In the irrigation 

 experiments greater differences in yields were produced during 1916 by the 

 different amounts of water applied than at any time since the work was begun, 

 these differences being most marked with the grain sorghums Milo main re- 

 ceiving 21.3, 14.3, 11.3, and 5.2 in. of water produced 68.6, Me. 16.8, and 7.8 bu. 

 per acre, respectively. The forage sorghums did not respond to Irrigation to 



