FIELD CROPS. 735 



form should be as nearly quadrangular as possible. Better results have been 

 obtained from small plats repeated often than from larger plats. The number 

 of plats for repetition was from 8 to 10 ordinarily, depending somewhat upon 

 the number of factors to be determined by the experiment. If more than 2 

 factors are wanted it is usually found advisable to have more than 10 plats. 

 The distribution of the plats should be such as to include all irregularities in 

 soil, etc., in each series. It is recommended that in order to avoid borders on 

 plats the area should be sowed solid, at harvest time the strips cut out and the 

 measured areas harvested. 



Summary of [field crops experiments in Alaska], C. C. Geokgeson (Alaska 

 Stas. Rpt. 1912, pp. 13-16, 2S-37, pi. i).— The value of the potato as a farm 

 crop under Alaskan climatic and soil conditions is discussed, and tabulated 

 data of yields of about 60 varieties grown at the Sitka Station are given, in 

 which the estimated yields per acre ranged from 279 bu. with Bliss Triumph 

 to 862 bu. with Burpee Superior. The work in progress at the Fairbanks and 

 Rampart stations is noted below. 



Report of [field crops] work at the Fairbanks Station, J. W. Neal (Alaska 

 Stas. Rpt. 1912, pp. 50-55, pis. 3). — In gi'ass experiments the use of 150 lbs. of 

 nitrate of soda usually resulted in double the yields, which ranged from IJ 

 to 2 tons per acre. In cereal tests, wheat yielded from 55 to 60 bu. per acre. 

 It was noted that Red Fife wheat stood 4 ft. tall, Romanow 4* ft., and Wild 

 Goose 5 ft., and that the yields were from 55 to 60 bu. per acre. Oat yields 

 ranged from 85 to 100 bu. per acre. Beardless barley yielded 50 bu. per acre, 

 and a hull-less variety produced 42 bu. Winter rye survived the winter with 

 a stand of 75 per cent, but not more than 5 per cent of Kharkov wheat lived. 

 Alfalfa, red, white, and alsike clovers, and field peas are reported to have made 

 good growth, but timothy was imsuccessful. Of the 16 varieties of potatoes 

 reported, the following 3 were the best yielders: Butkee, a local product, gave 

 478 bu., Irish Cobbler 423 bu., and Gold Coin 375 bu. per acre. Based on 

 cooking qualities alone, the following 3 proved best : Early Ohio, Burpee Early, 

 and Extra Early Ohio. 



Report of [field crops] work at the Rampart Station, G. W. Gasser (Alaska 

 Stas. Rpt. 1912, pp. 59-66, pi. 1). — Successful trials are reported with rye, oats, 

 barley, alfalfa, and potatoes. Wheat did not winter so well as usual. Tables 

 give data and notes on over 30 barley hybrids and 18 varieties of pedigreed oats. 

 The best yielding variety of potatoes was Hamilton Early, producing at tlie rate 

 of .325.9 bu. per acre. 



In fertilizer tests with oats, the only difference discernible was in the plat 

 receiving nitrate of soda alone, which lodged badly. With awnless brome grass 

 only the plats receiving nitrate of soda showed an increase of growth. 



Dry farming' in the arid Southwest, R. W. Clothier (Arizona Sta. Bui. 70, 

 pp. 725-798, pis. 5, figs. 2).^-In this bulletin the author gives a brief history of 

 the development of dry-farming methods in the United States, defines the term 

 " dry farming," discusses the technique and development of dry farming in 

 Arizona, and gives results of investigations on moisture and soil types in Sul- 

 phur Spring Valley noted on page 725. 



In fallowing experiments contradictory results were obtained in yields of 

 various crops, whether the land was cropped continuously, alternated by fallow 

 and cropping, or fallowed 2 years and cropped 1. Experiments in supple- 

 mental irrigation showed the practicability of light spring irrigation in order to 

 start crops which will be matured during the rainy season, which in itself is 

 not long enough to grow the crops. 



The light soil, with an initial water content of only 7.02 per cent in the first 

 4 ft., yielded an excellent crop of milo maize, while the heavy soil, with 11.77 



