FIELD CROPS. 231 



In altitude from 1,400 to 6,000 ft. Climatic conditions and the general plan 

 of the investigations are described. Tables show the average cost per acre 

 of the farm operations, the cost per acre of producing barley in the shock by 

 the different methods, and the results at individual stations. The total cost 

 of production of barley in the shock by the different methods of preparation 

 is given at $4.65 for disked com land, $5.45 for listed, $5.99 for sirring plowed, 

 $6.46 for fall plowed, $7.07 for subsoiled, $11.40 for summer tilled, and $14.51 

 for green manured land. 



The conclusions state that " differences in the climatic conditions of different 

 seasons have caused much wider variations in yields than have resulted from 

 differences in cultivation. Yields at Belle Fourche, Garden City, Dalhart, and 

 Amarillo have been markedly lower than those obtained at the other field 

 stations. The only profit shown at any of these stations Is 35 cts. an acre on 

 disked corn ground at Belle Fourche. 



" The highest average yields at eleven of the fourteen stations have been by 

 summer tillage. On the average, it increased the yields nearly one-half over 

 those produced on land cropped in the preceding year. On account of its 

 cost it has not been the most profitable method of production. 



"At ten of the fourteen stations under study disked corn ground produced 

 higher yields than from either the fall plowing or the spring plowing of 

 barley stubble. It has been the most profitable method under trial at all the 

 stations except Hettinger. 



" The relative advantage of either fall or spring plowing is largely de- 

 pendent upon the season. In the general average of the thirteen stations at 

 which each method has been tried there is practically no difference. At only 

 three stations has there been an average difference of over 2 bu. per acre 

 between the two methods. At the four more southern stations fall plowing has 

 been better than spring plowing. 



"At the seven stations where subsoiling for barley has been tried it has 

 produced an average of only 0.4 bu. more than fall plowing. At only two 

 stations has there been a marked difference in the results of thh two methods. 

 At one of these, subsoiling has been responsible for an Increase and at the other 

 for a decrease in yield. 



"At eight stations listing instead of plowing has been tried. While the 

 resulting yields have not been materially different from those on fall-plowed 

 land, the lower cost of listing has made it the more profitable method." 



Field beans, a profi.table West Virginia crop, I. S. Cook ( West Virginia 8ta. 

 Circ. 18 {1915), pp. 11, figs. 5). — Methods of production and harvesting of field 

 beans and the treatment of bean pests are given. 



Hardier spineless cactus, D. Griffiths {Jour. Heredity, 6 {1915), No. 4, pp. 

 182-191, figs. 5). — This article notes selections already made in three varieties, 

 Opuntia cacanapa, 0. subannata, and O. ellisiana, which are described and 

 illustrated, and which have been crossed with the more tender varieties of 

 spineless cactus. The results are forms which are entirely devoid of spines 

 and are as rapid of growth as the spiny natives of the Texas region. 



Corn in the Great Plains area: Relation of cultural methods to produc- 

 tion, E. C. Chilcott, J. S. Cole, and W. W. Bukb {U. S. Dept. Agr. Bui. 219 

 {1915), pp. 31, figs. 6). — The area covered by these investigations is that noted 

 for barley (see p. 230). The method of work adopted involved the raising of 

 different crops in various combinations or systems of rotations and under 

 different methods of cultivation. 



In a study of the comparison of cultural methods it is shown that the 

 average cost per acre of the farm operations involved in growing corn in the 

 Great Plains area is as follows: Plowing, $1.71; disking, 75 cts.; harrowing, 



