32 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.41 



previously noted (E. S. R., 37, p. 35). The total rainfall for the growing season 

 (April to August, inclusive) amounted to 16.92 in. in 1917 and 15.7 in. in 1918, 

 the distribution in the latter season being de.seribed as particularly unfavorable 

 to corn. 



The corn yields in the 1917 variety test ranged from 17.1 bu. per acre for 

 Experiment Station Henry Grady 1009 to 30.8 bu. for Velvet Cob, and in 1918 

 from IG bu. for an early planting of Station Marlboro to 20.1 bu. for Stein- 

 heiraer Marlboro. Ear-to-rovv testing of corn is thought to be the only reliable 

 method for determining desirable strains. 



Commercial fertilizer placed under corn resulted in an average yield of 15.6 

 bu. per acre for a 5-year period as compared with 16.8 bu. from similar applica- 

 tions made later around the corn plant. Yields ranging from 20.2 bu. per acre 

 without fertilizer to 26.1 bu. from an application of 1,200 lbs. were secured as a 

 3-year average, although it is stated that applications of more than 400 lbs. are 

 not economical, while in dry .seasons fertilizers in anj' quantity were seldom 

 profitable. 



Planting velvet beans with corn at the time of planting the corn usually 

 reduced the yield of the latter, but the beans are believed to more than com- 

 pensate for this loss. Deep spring plowing and shallow cultivation the first 

 time appeared to give better results than other methods of cultivating corn. 

 Applying nitrogenous top-dressings early proved to be of greater importance 

 than the kind of nitrogen carrier employed. The residual effect of stable 

 manure practically disappeared in two years during dry seasons. 



In the cotton variety tests, the 1917 yields ranged from 1,775 His. of seed 

 cotton per acre for Durango (long staple) to 2,820 lbs. for O'Bannon No-chop, 

 and the 1918 yields from 1,237 lbs. for Webber No. 49 to 1,715 lbs. for Steln- 

 heimer Cleveland. 



The use of varying amounts of commercial fertilizer on cotton resulted in 

 yields of from 978 lbs. for the checks to 1,242 lbs. for a 1,200-lb. application. 

 From 600 to 800 lbs. is deemed sufficient. 



In a comparison of early and late chopping of cotton the latter practice 

 resulted in a slightly earlier crop, while the average yields amounted to 1,340 

 and 1,248 lbs. of seed cotton per acre, respectively, for a 4-year period. 



[Report of work with field crops in Kansas, 1917-18] (Kaiisas Sta. Rpt. 

 1918, pp. 19, 21-27, SO, 31, 33). — This describes the progress of work previously 

 noted (E. S. R., 40, p. 329). 



Observations on the effect of cutting alfalfa at different stages of maturity 

 showed that the highest average yield, 4. 88 tons per acre, for a 4-year period 

 followed the practice of cutting the crop when in full bloom. Plats cut in the 

 bud stage are said to be deteriorating rapidly, the alfalfa being replaced by 

 grass and weeds. 



Adverse weather conditions resulted in low yields of corn in 1917. Corn grown 

 continuously since 1910 produced 22.6 bu. per acre, as compared with 44.9 bu. 

 from that grown in rotation with wheat and alfalfa, 32.8 bu. in rotation with 

 cowpeas and wheat, and 22.7 bu. in a rotation of wheat and corn two years. 

 Corn grown in rotation was little affected by applications of commercial fer- 

 tilizers, although marked results were obtained from their use on corn grown 

 continuously. It is stated that phosphorus may be profitably used on Kansas 

 soils in a low state of fertility which are grown to corn continuously without 

 manure. An annual application of 2.5 tons of manure per acre has resulted in 

 an average increase iu jield of corn of 7.93 bu. 



