l'Jl'JJ 



FIELD OBOPS. 729 



comprises a progress report of work with field crops during 1913, 1914, and 1010. 

 The substation, situated In Brazoria County at an elevation of 26 ft above sea 

 level, was established In i!><>9. It is staled that the greatest problem was to 

 secure adequate drainage during the seasons of heavy rainfall. The growing 

 season is said to be characterized by climatic conditions favoring high crop 

 production. The average precipitation for the period of 1914-1916, Inclusive, 

 was 47.56 In. The average date of the last killing frost in the spring was March 

 -~i, and of the first in the fall November 24. The results of the experimental 

 work to date may be summarized as follows: 



Cotton seed produced and kept in dry parts of the State proved superior to 

 that produced in humid sections. Cotton yielded 30 per cent more in rotation 

 with corn, oats, and cowpeas than under continuous cropping, the fourth year 

 of the test. 



Thomas, Fentress Strawberry, Hasting Prolific, Virginia White Dent, Mexi- 

 can June, Surcropper, Munson, Ferguson Yellow Dent, Chisholm, Improved 

 Southern Snowflake, Mosby Prolific, and Yellow Creole corn averaged lust in 

 the order named. Cowpeas planted late in the life of the corn resulted iu 

 about 11 per cent more corn than where they were planted early. Where corn 

 and cowpeas were grown together, the yields of corn decreased as the yields 

 of cowpeas increased, and vice versa. Where corn and velvet beans were grown 

 together, higher yields of corn were obtained with late maturing beans. 



Hundred-Bushel, Fulghum, and Texas Red Rust Proof were the leading oat 

 varieties in the order named. Abruzzd rye has never failed to mature grain, 

 but all other small grains have been complete failures. 



New Era, Brabham, and Blue Goose cowpeas have produced the most grain, 

 and Iron, Groit, and Whippoorwill the most hay. Cowpeas grown in rotation 

 have BO far shown no particular advantage over those grown continuously. 

 The Yokohama is said to be the earliest maturing variety of velvet bean, 

 requiring about 150 days, and Osceola, requiring about 225 days, is the latest 

 maturing. I'iloxi soy beans produced well whim protected from rabbits and 

 blister beetles. Mung beans were found to be especially valuable as a summer 

 poultry pasture crop, while both Kulthi and Moth beans produced good hay but 

 did not mature seed. The Mexican Pinto or " Frijole " lias been a failure. 



Spanish peanuts have given the highest average yields of cured nuts per acre, 

 while Tennessee Reds have produced the most forage without nuts. The 

 results are held to indicate an increase in yield of nuts as the seeding rate 

 increases. 



Japan, bur, and crimson clover are said to do well under certain conditions, 

 while alfalfa and red clover have failed up to the present time. Hairy vetch 

 does well when protected from rabbits. 



Japanese cane has yielded as high as S7.S13 lbs. of green forage per acre. 

 A temperature of 2S° F. did not injure the cane standing in the field, although 

 it was severely damaged by a drop to 25°. Deep plowing produced Id per cent 

 more cane than shallow plowing the first year, and 7 per cent more the second 

 year without replowing or replanting. It is not regarded as good practice to 

 harvest Japanese cane early, as it is said to store most of its sugar after reach- 

 ing maximum growth in October. It is recommended that bur clover be grown 

 during the winter on Japanese cane land. 



Sweet sorghum showed the highest yield of forage from the thickest plant- 

 ing in cultivated rows, while there was little difference in yield between dif- 

 ferent seeding rates in close drills. It is stated that Sudan grass may he osed 

 successfully as a catch pasture crop after oats. Seeding in IS in. rows has 

 given a higher average yield of forage than seeding either in 3 ft. rows or 

 close drills. Sudan grass is also deemed valuable as a summer pasture crop. 



