19161 FIELD CROPS. 827 



A study of factors influencing the development of the maize plant, made by 

 M. F. Miller and J. C. Hackleman, indicated that with reference to both mois- 

 ture and nutrition the second period, from the time when the corn is normally 

 laid by until the sillis appear, is the most important in the growth of the plant. 

 It was found that leaf growth was influenced more than stalli growth by the 

 variation in the nutrient elements. With reference to variation in the moisture 

 supply, the second iwriod was generally the most important of the three in influ- 

 encing ear development and total dry matter. The lowest water requirement 

 was found where an optimum supply was maintained during the first period 

 with a minimum supply during the last two periods, while the highest was 

 observed where the water supply was kept at the optimum through all three 

 periods. 



Farming practice in the sand hills section of Nebraska, J. Cowan {Nebraska 

 Sta. Bui. 156 (1916), pp. 67, figs. 9).— A brief history of the Valentine substa- 

 tion is given, the sand hills section of Nebraska and the farming practices fol- 

 lowed are described, and the results of experiments with crops and with crop 

 management are presented. 



Alfalfa is reported as the most valuable forage crop for the region, exceeding 

 all clovers, including sweet clover, which was found better adapted to hardpan 

 lands than to the sand hills lands. Alsike with red clover seemed well adapted 

 to the wet valleys of the region. Stands of slender wheat, brome, and western 

 wheat grasses were secured on cultivated ground, but the production of hay was 

 small. Sudan grass gave a yield per acre of 1,667 lbs. of hay on light, sandy 

 soil when sown in rows 21 in. apart, and 1,649 lbs. per acre when sown broad- 

 cast. 



Among the grain sorghums, the upright-headed dwarf milo maize yielded 

 11.2 bu. per acre on light soil in 1913, this being the highest yield in three years. 

 Corn under similar conditions yielded 13.6 bu. per acre, the best yielding variety 

 being Minnesota No. 13. Yields per acre of 11.8 bu. of winter rye, 11.5 bu. of 

 emmer, and 11.3 bu. of winter wheat, are recorded. 



The leading variety of potatoes was Irish Cobbler. The best depth of plant- 

 ing in light, sandy soil was from 4 to 5 in., the best spacing of rows 42 in., and 

 the best spacing of plants in the row 24 in. Potatoes from seed grown under 

 mulch yielded 13 bu. per acre more than those from seed produced in the ordi- 

 nary way. On light, sandy soil under a mulch of 6 in. of hay, the yield was 

 increased 50 per cent as compared with ordinary methods of culture. 



The data pertaining to horticulture and forestry are noted on pages 835 to 842 

 of this issue. 



The work of the San Antonio experiment farm in 1915, S. H. Hastings 

 (U. S. Dept. Agr., Bur. Plant Indus., Work San Antonio Expt. Farm, 1915, pp. 

 It, figs. 2). — A report is given of work continued along the same general lines 

 followed in preceding years (E, S. R., 33, p. 830). The seasonal conditions are 

 noted, the meteorological observations made at the station from 1907 to 1915, 

 Inclusive, are summarized in tables, and experiments relating to rotation and 

 tillage, the culture of com, cotton, field peas, and flax, and the pasturing of 

 oats are described. 



Results from the rotation and tillage work secured thus far indicated that 

 the time of plowing has been of more consequence than the effect of the 

 preceding crop, and that plowing should be done early, at least before Jan- 

 uary of the year in which the crop is to be planted. Cotton and com gen- 

 erally gave inferior results when following a crop of sorghum. 



A comparison of methods of soil preparation conducted in this connection 

 showed that disking may often take the place of plowing and that fall disking 



