1917] FIELD CROPS. 529 



to the influence they may have when the results obtained from plat tests are 

 applied to open field practices. Two types of plat experiments are considered, 

 those for testing methods and those for testing yields. 



[Report of field crops work], W. G. Taggart, A. P. Kekr, C. E. Hester, and 

 F. C. QuEREAU {Louisiana Stas. Rpt. 1916, pp. 7-9, 21,, 25, 26-29).— This con- 

 tinues work previously noted (E. S. R., 35, p. 330). 



Fertilizer experiments with sugar cane at the Sugar Experiment Station 

 showed an average increase of 3.03 tons of cane from sulphate of potash applied 

 to first-year stubble, thus confirming i-esults obtained the year before with plant 

 cane but contradicting many experiments of previous years. An application of 

 500 lbs. each of acid phosphate and tankage on second-year stubble showed an 

 increased production over an application of 250 lbs. of acid phosphate and 500 

 lbs. of tankage which a little more than paid for the extra amount of fertilizer. 

 The failure of this experiment to yield tonnage equal to that obtained the past 

 four years is attributed to a disturbance of the nitrogen balance by continuous 

 cropping to sugar cane. 



Four foreign varieties of sugar cane were tested. Louisiana seedlings L511 

 and L231 continued to maintain their high standard. 



Attempts to develop a white fiint corn were continued and a yield of 63 bu. 

 per acre obtained in spite of injury by heavy winds. So-called prolific va- 

 rieties of corn reconmiended by other southern experiment stations in the same 

 latitude were obtained and grown in comparison with native Yellow Creole, 

 but none gave superior yields. 



In an attempt to increase the value of hay grown on Johnson grass infested 

 land, two cuttings of clean red clover were secured before the Johnson grass got 

 any headway. The early growing period of the clover, however, prevented the 

 cutting of a mixed Johnson grass and clover hay. Further observations on the 

 eradication of Johnson grass by kudzu were made and indicated that this plant 

 will completely choke out the grass in a very few years. 



In fertilizer experiments with rice at the Rice Experiment Station con- 

 ducted since 1910 five profitable crops of rice have been grown on all plats 

 receiving available phosphorus, the highest yield being 28 bbls. per acre. The 

 last two crops, however, yielded less than the checks, due to the heavy growth 

 of water crab grass and barnyard millet. Potash showed profitable yields 

 the first year, but subsequently the yield has been little more than on the 

 check. Cottonseed meal or manure appears to be profitable when applied to 

 Honduras rice, but the increase was not so marked with Shinriki or Blue 

 Rose rice. 



Field tests are briefly noted with gi-eeu mungo beans, the Biloxy soy bean, 

 velvet beans, garlic, clovers, Japanese cane, teosinte, sorghum, and peas for 

 silage, Sudan grass, corn, and oats. 



Dry farming investigations at the Sherman County branch experiment 

 station, Moro, Oreg., D. E. Stephens and C. E. Hill {Oregon Sta. Bui. 144 

 {1917), pp. 3-47, Jigs. 13). — Variety, crop improvement, and rotation tests and 

 tillage experiments to determine the best cultural methods for wheat production 

 under the summer-fallow system are reported. The tests were made at the 

 Moro substation in eastern Oregon and were conducted in cooperation VN-ith the 

 Office of Forage Crop Tnvestigations of the U. S. Department of Agriculture. 

 The history of the branch station, meteorological data, and a report of variety 

 tests of spring cereals have been previously noted (E. S. R., 36, p. 830). 



Four-year average yields of 17 winter wheat varieties show the Argentine 

 (1569) to be first, with 32 bu. per acre, while Ghirka (1438) was last with 24.6 

 bu. The local Turkey variety commonly grown in the vicinity of Moro and 



