636 EXPERIMENT STATION BECOED. [Vol. 37 



Sixteen varietlef? of oats were tested at Aroostook farm in 1916. giving an 

 average yield of 61.4 bu. of groin and 3,412 lbs. of straw per acre. Maine 

 340 was highest, with a yield of 75.6 bu. It also matured from three to six 

 days earlier than Early Pearl and Siberian, which yielded 66.6 and 66 bu. per 

 acre, rrapectively. The early varieties Kherson and Danbeney, maturing from 

 a week to ten days earlier than the other varieties, yielded only C1.3 and 57.2 

 bu., respectively. 



Eight commercial varieties of oats and ten pure-line selections were te5ted 

 during 1916 at Highmoor farm. The season 5s reported as having been very 

 unfavorable for the oat crop. Early Pearl, with a yield of 56.7 bu., was the 

 leading commercial variety tested, while Maine 340, with a yield of 52.7 bu. 

 per acre, was first of the pure-line selections. 



In the rate-of-seeding tests with oats the 14-pk. rate again gave the highest 

 yield, 71.3 bu. per acre. The 16- and 20-pk. rates yielded 70.2 and 69.5 bu., 

 respectively, but showed a distinct tendency to lodge. 



Fertilizer experiments with oats on the Aroostook farm included a series of 

 plats receiving an application of 500 lbs. of commercial fertilizers each per 

 acre, having 4 per cent nitrogen, 8 per cent available phosi:)horic acid, and 

 from to 8 per cent potash. Oats were also grown on land seeded to potatoes 

 In 1915 with and without pota.sh. The results indicate that potash is not a 

 limiting.' factor In oat production in tlie.se soils, and that the application of 

 potash the previous year d(jes not affect the oat crop following. 



Experiments on the effect of omitting potash fertilization upon the potato 

 crop were coiitlnuo<l. with more pronounced effects in favor of potash fertiliza- 

 tion than previously obsprv»>d (E. S. R., 35, p. 34). The average yield for the 

 two years from the plats receiving no potash was estlmatetl to be 111 barrels, 

 and from those plats receiving 8 per cent potash 134 barrels. It is concluded 

 that as little as 45 lbs. of potash per acre will give a profitable Increase in the 

 yield of potatoes, at least when grown on sod land, while a profitable yield 

 can be obtained without the u.se of potash for at least one year. 



The comparison of sulphate of ammonia with nitrate of soda ns a source of 

 nitrogen for potato fertilization was contlnuetl. From the results of three 

 years of experimental work It Is concluded that at least two-thlrd.s of the total 

 nitrogen can be supplied In the form of .sulphate of ammonia without decreasing 

 the yield. These experiments are to be continued In order to determine the 

 effect of these different substances under different seasonal conditions. 



In comparing methods of application of fertilizers to the potato crop it has 

 been concluded that fully as good. If not better, results can be obtained l)y 

 applying all the fertilizer in the planter. It appeared that up to 1.500 lbs. 

 per acre nothing was gained either by broadcasting before planting or by apply- 

 ing a part at the first cultivation. 



Field tests are briefly noted on the use of common salt In fertilizing oats, 

 potatoes, gra.ss, and turnips to liberate the unavailable pota.sh in the .soil. In- 

 creased yields of turnips were noted, but no benefit was found with the other 

 crops. No appreciable effect of the .«alt on the soil potash was observed. 



Besults of breeding experiments, C. B. Williams {North Carolina Sta. Kpi. 

 1916. pp. 16-18). — Selection and variety tests with cotton, corn, soy beans, 

 and velvet beans are briefly reported. 



Cotton Selection No. 29 is deemed the best ylelder thus far secured, producing 

 252 lbs. of seed cotton per acre more in 1915 than the unselected seed and 

 leading In the variety tests at the station farm by 94 Ib.s. of 8ee<l cotton per 

 acre. A uniform strain of cotton was secured at Aberdeen In 1915. which gave 

 a staple lA in. in length and compared favorably In yield with tlie local short- 



