226 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The largest yield of potatoes was 128.9 bu. by Early Russet Potatoes planted 

 at depths of 4, 6, 8, and 10 in. produced best at 4 in., with an average total 

 yield of 87.4 bu. per acre for the years 1909-10. Of different distances, rows at 

 3 ft. and hills 9 in. apart produced the best yield, 116 bu. per acre. Large 

 whole seed tubers gave a higher yield, 99.3 bu. per acre, than smaller sized or cut 

 tubers. With a straw mulch of 6 in., 116.7 bu. potatoes per acre was obtained 

 as compared with 77.3 bu. with no mulch but planted 4 in. deep. Increased 

 yields were obtained when winter cereals, oats, and potatoes were irrigated. 



In 1909 the sugar beet crop gave an average of 14.95 per cent of sugar and 

 in 1910, 20.19 per cent, while the average of 129 samples in 1891 was 11.43 

 per cent. The 1910 crop was irrigated. 



It Is noted that equal results have been obtained both with and without a 

 nurse crop for alfalfa without irrigation, but a nurse crop is recommended 

 when the crop can be irrigated. The results of irrigating alfalfa in 1909 and 

 1910 to determine the rate to apply the water only indicated the inadvisability 

 of drawing conclusions from a 2-year trial, as it is stated that the largest 

 quantity of water did not give the largest yields but served to drown out the 

 crop. 



[Field crops work at the V/illiston substation, 1911], E. G. Schollander 

 (North Bakota 8ta., Rpt. WiUiston Substa.. 1911, pp. 11-5 Jf, fig. 1). — This report 

 covers variety and cultural tests and selection work by the centgener, rod row, 

 and head row methods with cereals, and milling and baking tests with wheat. 

 Sowing winter wheat August 16 gave better yields than sowing August 31, 

 September 15, and October 1. 



Experiments with potatoes, including variety tests and comparisons of dif- 

 ferent depths, dates, and distances of planting, sizes and number of eyes per 

 hill, and cultivation versus straw mulcb, were conducted as in 1910 (see 

 above). 



The 3-year average planting at a depth of 4 in. has given better results than 

 6 or 8 in. Potatoes planted May 11 yielded better thau those planted April 27 

 or May 25. Rows 3 ft. apart with 12-in. hills gave better results than hills 

 18, 24, or 30 in., the maximum yield being 84.3 bu. Large whole seed tubers 

 have given better results for the 3 years than smaller sized or cut tubers. 

 Planting under 6 in. of straw again proved more favorable than planting 4 in. 

 deep in soil. 



Mention is made of experiments with brome grass, medium red clover, field 

 corn, field peas, and alfalfa. Irrigation trials with winter wheat, potatoes, 

 oats, sugar beets, and alfalfa gave increased yields with the use of water. 

 Tabulated results show the effect of applying different amounts of water to 

 alfalfa, and the amount of water used by growing alfalfa in tank experiments. 



The 3 years' trials have given successful results by seeding alfalfa with a 

 nurse crop. As in previous years, the importance of irrigating alfalfa at the 

 proper time, 1. e., when the crops need water, was again demonstrated. 



ii.griculture on the Yuma reclamation project, C. S. Scofield (U. S. Dept. 

 Agr.. Bur. Plant Indu^. Circ. 124, PP- 3-8). — This paper gives an account of the 

 conditions found in this valley of the Colorado River and points out the lines 

 along which agricultural development will probably follow. The chief indus- 

 tries discussed are the growing of alfalfa for hay and seed, truck crops, cotton, 

 live stock, orcharding, and such other crops as may be shipped long distances to 

 market. 



The Rothamsted Experiment Station, 1843-1911, A. D. Hall (Trans. 

 Highland and Agr. Soc. Scot., 5. ser.,24 (1912), pp. lSS-180, figs. 4) .—This paper 

 includes results of work previously noted (E. S. R., 8, p. 837), and covers the 

 whole experimental period of about 68 years. 



