FIELD CROPS. 137 



iiuals for the ]iereniiials has resulti'd t'nuii overirrazins, and can be reversed by 

 protection from it. 



Only 2 weeds have appeared in the inclosnre (Isocotna roroiiopi folia and L. 

 arizoniciis). The latter is supposed to have injured horses but does not appeal- 

 to be injurious to cattle. The spread of mesquite and other shrubby vegetation 

 has probably been due to the prevention of fires rather than to heavy grazing. 



The yields of vegetation on plats of 21 sq. ft. are reported for each year of the 

 test. The best lands appear able to improve under stocking at the rate of 

 1 bovine animal to 20 acres. 



Alfalfa in western Oreg-on, H. D. Scudder (Oregon Sta. Circ. 6, pp. 7). — The 

 average alfalfa yield of the station field during the last S years has been 6.2 

 tons of cured hay per acre or 26.3 tons of green feed per acre each year. The 

 general requirements of alfalfa are stated and directions given for the prepara- 

 tion of seed bed, correction of soil acidity, and the seeding, inoculation, and 

 management of alfalfa fields in Oregon. 



Barley, L. B. AIcWethy (Wyoming 8ta. Bui. S3, pp. 12, pis. 5). — Brief de- 

 scriptions are given of different types of barley. Among the varieties tested 

 in 1909, Primus produced the maximum yield, 2.495 lbs. of grain per acre. The 

 average yield of all 2-rowed hulled bearded barleys was 2,104 lbs. per acre, 

 that of 6-rowed hulled bearded barleys, 2,1.53 lbs. per acre, that of 6-rowed 

 hull-less bearded barleys. 1,998 lbs. per acre, of 6-rowed hull-less beardless 

 barleys, 2,196 lbs. per acre, and of 2-rowed hull-less bearded barleys, 1,593 lbs. 

 per acre. 



Crim^son clover: Its rate of gaining nitrogen, C. L. Penny and Margaret B. 

 Macdonald (Dcknrarc St a. Bui. 86'. pp. 3-.'i2. figs. 2). — Earlier work of a similar 

 character at the station has already been noted (E. S. R., 16, pp. 967). 



It is concluded that crimson clover may gain nitrogen rapidly during the 

 last month preceding its full bloom in some cases, while in others it gains little. 

 Cro])s which yield much nitrogen a month before full bloom usually gain fewer 

 pounds during the last month than crops poorer in nitrogen at this stage. 

 Approximately, each additional pound of nitrogen at the earlier period reduces 

 the later gain by about h lb. A thick close growth favors an early accumula- 

 tion of nitrogen and a diminished gain later. A sparse open growth tends in 

 the opposite direction and should be allowed to mature for the sake of the 

 probable heavy gain in nitrogen during the last month. Soil that produces 

 a sparse crop will probably profit most from the supply of additional nitrogen. 



A fall growth of crimson clover may furnish 50 to 100 lbs. of nitrogen per 

 acre and be i)rofitable even though the crop is winterkilled. The first mouth's 

 growth in spring usually produces about one-third of the final yield of nitrogen. 

 When hay is removed, 35 to 40 per cent of the total nitrogen of the crop is left 

 in stubble and roots. Although the time required for decomposition is difficult 

 to estimate the roots are thought to yield a considerable amount of nitrate 

 dining the first summer, while the tops decomposed more slowly, especially if 

 mature and high in woody fiber. 



Corn, C. Willis and H. B. Potter (South Dakota Sta. Bui. tl8. pp. GtS-6'i2. 

 fif/x. 12). — This bulletin gives suggestions for the growing, selection, and storage 

 • if seed corn in South Dakota, discusses seed and market conditions, and gives 

 directions for making a germination test. 



Yields and other data are presented for 15 varieties tested at the station 

 (lin-ing the period 1905-1909. The 5-year averages for Rustler White Dent and 

 Triumph Yellow Flint were 49.2 and 46.9 bu. per acre respectively, and the 

 4-year averages for Golden Ideal and Minnesota No. 13 were 53.3 and 50.5 bu, 

 per acre respectively. 



