32 EXPERIMENT STATION BECOBD. [Vol. 37 



In a comparison of 3- and 7-in. applications, 83 per cent of the results were 

 strongly in favor of the 7-in. applications, with an average increase in yields 

 of 28.7 per cent and a maximum increase of S7.6 per cent where one irrigation 

 at the boot stage was omitted. Where irrigations were omitted at the 5-leaf 

 and bloom stages, boot and bloom stages, boot and milk stages, and bloom and 

 milk stages, the 3-in. applications are about as effective as twice that amount 

 in supplying the water requirements of the crop, but the omission of these 

 applications greatly decreased the yield, 19.9 bu. being the highest production 

 in any of the last four instances. 



The minimum soil moisture content for the first 2 ft. was 11.0 per cent before 

 the irrigation at the milk stage and where two irrigations were omitted at the 

 boot and bloom stages, and the maximum 1G.5 per cent where irrigations at 

 the 5-leaf and dough stages were omitted. Only 1.5 per cent maximum average 

 difference down to 6 ft. was realized between 3- and 7-in. applications where 

 tw'o irrigations were omitted. When one irrigation was omitted the variation 

 in moisture content between 3- and 7-in. applications was greater. The 7-ln. 

 applications at the first foot showed an increase of 14.8 per cent over that of 

 the 3-ln. applications, a 10 per cent increase for the second foot, a 12 per cent 

 increase for the tliird foot, and a 8 per cent loss for the fourth foot. 



Variety testing and crop improvement (Nevada Sia. Rpt. 1916. vp. 3i-^7, 

 figs. 2). — Variety and selection tests are reported with wheat, oats, barley, 

 corn and sorghum (for silage), field peas and beans, millets, potatoes, and fiohl 

 beets. 



f Report of field crop work] (New Mexico Sta. Rpt., 1916, pp. 84-49, figs. 5).~ 

 Potato experiments for 1916 included plantings receiving stable manure, level 

 and ridge cultivation, cultivation by the Greeley system, 10- and 5-in. %vlmer 

 irrigations, no winter irrigation, no summer irrigation, no winter or summer 

 irrigation, and 1, 2, and 3 sunmier irrigations. The rainfall amounted to 1.89 In. 

 The highest plat yield was secured where the Greeley system of cultivation 

 had been practiced and where 3 summer irrigations but no winter Irrigation 

 had occurred. The second highest yield was obtained from a plat receiving 

 the level cultlvBtlon, 2 summer irrigations, and 1 10-ln. winter irrigation. Both 

 pints were manured. 



Of 11 varieties of sorghum tested for silage, sumac sorghum gave the 

 highest yield, 14.3 tons of green forage per acre, and White Durra the lowest, 

 with 3.2 tons per acre. 



In cultural and variety tests witli corn, Mexican June sown with a planter 

 and with irrigation preceding planting gave the highest yield, 52.4 bu. per acre. 

 The lowest yield, 11.7 bu., was secured with Hickory King under the same 

 conditions. 



Sudan grass seeded in rows gave a total yield of 7,428 lbs. as compared 

 with 6,261 lbs. on a plat seeded broadcast, and required an average of 284 

 lbs. less water In the production of dry matter. 



Sugar beet tests included a study of spring and fall planting dates, Involving 

 a comparison of spring and fall planting, a comparison of the furrow method 

 of irrigation with the flooding method, and a comparison of irrigating before 

 and after planting. Beets planted In January were ready to harvest in July 

 and tested 14 per cent sugar with about 85 per cent purity. 



A study Is being made of the duty of water, with special reference to alfalfa 

 production. In the season of 1915-16 five cuttings of alfalfa were secured, 

 averaging 6 tons per acre with an average duty of water of 40 acre-Inches. 



Farm crops (^Vashington Sta. Bui. 1S6 (1917), pp. 10-19, 29, SO, fig. 1).— 

 This reports the work ot the 1915 season and the plantings for 1916. 



