FIELD CROPS. 729 



In a depth-of -plowing test for seeding wlieat, 4 verchol« (7 in.) gave better 

 results than 2^ or 5* verchok depths. August proved a better time to plow 

 than July or September. Heavy seeding, 9 poods per dessyatina (120.2 lbs. per 

 acre), gave better results than light seeding. 



In fertilizer tests barnyard manure gave the best results. Phosphates seemed 

 to reduce the yield. Native varieties gave the largest yields and Egyptian the 

 smallest. 



There were no parasites on oats during the year. A large number of empty 

 gi-ains resulted from the drought. The depth of plowing best suited was found 

 to be 4 verchoks for the crop preceding the oats and 5 verchoks for the oats. 



In fertilizer tests barnyard manure, manure combined with Thomas slag, and 

 Thomas slag alone were used. The manure, either alone or in combination, 

 apparently did not increase the yield of oats, though somewhat improving the 

 quality of the grain, while Thomas slag alone increased the yield by 11.4 per 

 cent. 



Of oats sown broadcast, 5 to 7 poods per dessyatina, in rows with from 4 to 

 7 poods per dessyatina, in wide single and double row^ with from 3 to 5 poods 

 per dessyatina, and at distances varying from C to 8 verchoks, the best method 

 proved to be sowing in wide single rows at a distance of 8 verchoks. 



Wild white clover, A. N. M'Alpine {Trans. Highland and Agr. Soc. Scot., 5. 

 ser., 27 {1915), pp. 238-256). — This article treats of wild sweet clover {Trifolium 

 repens sylvestrc), discussing its distinguishing characters, agricultural value, 

 ecology, characteristics of the commercial seed, and its growth and development. 



Corn, C. P. Bull {Minnesota Sta. Bui. U9 {1915), pp. 5-23, figs. 7).— This 

 bulletin gives a detailed report of work previously noted (E. S. II., 28, p. 233) 

 and additional results on corn cultural experiments. 



As the result of different methods of cultivation for three years, it is con- 

 cluded that " to a certain degree the lack of cultivation is attended with an in- 

 creased percentage of barren stalks. Though the ' twice-cultivated ' plat is an 

 exception, the increase in the number of cultivations seems to have a tendency 

 to lower the percentage of stand. The difference in the plats is, however, not 

 sufficient to warrant a definite conclusion. The height of the stalks and of the 

 ears on the stalk does not appear to be influenced by the cultivations, except 

 that with no cultivation they are considerably lower. The yield per acre of 

 corn is the important item in the results of this experiment. The averages for 

 the plats show conclusively that the number of cultivations materially affects 

 the yield per acre. The yield of stover also increases regularly with the num- 

 ber of cultivations. It is plain that two cultivations are not sufficient to subdue 

 the weeds and give the proper start to the vegetative growth of the plants. It 

 is quite likely that the relative time of cultivation has something to do with 

 the value, but that was not considered in this experiment. 



"Another important fact shown is that it is not necessary to practice deep 

 tillage when once the soil has been properly prepared before planting. The 

 average yield of the hoed plat exceeded the highest yield obtained from any 

 other. It exceeded that of the plat cultivated six times by 1.46 bu. per acre. 



" The data show that the large profit from cultivation comes from the fourth 

 cultivation and that there is but slight gain from three cultivations over two 

 cultivations, the profit amounting to but 53.2 cts. more than the cost of the 

 operation." 



In a study covering five seasons of the relation of the number of stalks per 

 hill to yield, where the hills were spaced 44 by 44 in., the results show that 

 not only the number but also the percentage of barren stalks increased as the 

 number of stalks per hill increased, but that the difference in percentage stand 

 In check rows was not sufficient to be regarded as significant. The percentage 



