30 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOBD. [Vol. 37 



white winter barley 67.1 ; Hannchen spring barley ; Colorado 37 spring oats 

 168.7 (all winter oats winterkilled) ; Invincible winter rye 58.9; and Araraoti 

 field peas 53.3 bu. per acre. Minnesota 13 was the only corn variety to mature 

 seed. Idaho White Dent produced 15.8 tons of silage per acre when cut in the 

 glazed stage. The best silage production from Rustler White Dent with differ- 

 ent planting methods was 16.1 tons, secured from rows 30 in. apart and liilla 

 3 ft. S in. apart. 



A seeding of 90 lbs. of field peas and 32 lbs. of oats gave the highest yield 

 of hay, 4.6 tons, in a comparison of different rates of seeding. In cultural 

 tests with field peas the highest yield, 70.5 bu. per acre, was secured from 

 broadcasted seed plowed under. 



In crop rotation experiments on Palouse silt loam a yield of 76.1 bu. of wheat 

 \vas secured after potatoes as compared with a yield of 25.3 bu. after oats. 

 29.8 bu. after wheat, 48.4 bu. after corn, 51.2 bu. after peas, and 63.1 bu. after 

 fallow. Fertilizer experiments on this soil showed an appanMit average increase 

 in yield of oats due to fertilizers added in 1915 of 19.8 bu. for nitroiri'ii. 2.5 bu. 

 for iiolash, and a 2.4-bu. loss for phosphorus. Similar tests with wheat were 

 deemed inconclusive becau.se of smut. 



[Report of field crop work at the Aberdeen substation], L. C. Aichek 

 (Idaho Sta. Jiul. 92 {19J6), pp. 36-Ji2. figs. S). — This reports a continuation of 

 work previously noted (E. S. R., 34, p. 734), Including cultural tests with 

 clovers, sugar beets (seed), peas, alfalfa, wheat, and potatoes, and variety tests 

 with wiieat, oats, barley, potatoes, and field peas, etc. 



In the potato culture work a yield of 520 bu. per acre was obtainod from 

 a plat planted with the stem ends only of 3-oz. seed cut In half. 



[Report of field crop work) {loira Sta. Rpf. 1016. pp. 22. 2.f. 29). — CJoopera- 

 tive trials with Iowa 103 and Iowa 105 oats, originated at the station, show an 

 approximate increase of 5 bu. per acre over common varieties. The winter 

 wheat variety has exhibited great hardiness under conditions that resulted in 

 severe winterkilling with most commercial varieties. This variety has also 

 been grown In Minnesota and North and South IVikota, the winterkilling in 

 these regions being reported as about 5 per cent. 



The Ames scarifying machine is reported as having increased the germina- 

 blllty of various clover seed, especially sweet clover, to over 90 per cent, when 

 In many ca.ses previous to treatment germination was not over 20 per cent. 



In pollination studies with clover and alfalfa, conducted in cooperation with 

 the U. S. Department of AgricuUure, it was found that moisture conditions 

 were a determining factor in the setting of red clover seed, as little fertiliza- 

 tion occured when the flowers were wet. In .July the interval between pollina- 

 tion and fertilization was about 18 hours, and in October from 35 to .50 hours. 

 The bumblebee is found an efficient pollinator of red clover, while the honeybee 

 is occasionally so. The clover cross-pollinating machine anil hand-pollinating 

 brushes were not satisfactory. 



J. N. Martin found that the setting of the seed pods in alfalfa is dependent 

 upon the proper functioning of the pollen and that germination of the pollen 

 is dependent upon the moisture supply. If the supply of soil and atmospheric 

 moisture is above or below the optimum, germination is inhibited. Blasting of 

 the seed is due to the arrested development of the embryo caused either by 

 pathological conditions or the inability of the plant to furnish the required 

 moisture. 



Irrigation experiments with alfalfa, sugar beets, potatoes, and wheat 

 {Nevada Sta. Rpt. K'16, pp. SU-S^). — Experiments similar to those previously 

 noted (E. S. R., 36. p. 35) were continued during the season of 1915. 



