30 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.41 



of about one-half the normal grain crop. The frost-free period extended over 

 an interval of 118 day.s. 



Practically all the winter grains winterkilled. Varieties of spring wheat, 

 oats, and barley were grown in the held on increase plats and in hoad-to- 

 row tests. Brief notes on the results secured in each case are presented. Fin- 

 nish Black oaLs produced at the rate of 31 bu. per acre for a 21-acre tract, 

 while Canadian produced 54 bu. on a 1-acre tract. In adaptability to climatic 

 and soil conditions H. G. spring wheat, with an average yield of more than 

 12 bu. per acre for the season, is deemed superior to both Romanow and Mar- 

 quis, which outyielded it. Japanese buckwheat yielded at the rate of 12 bu. 

 per acre. 



Three varieties of field peas were tested, which are said to have produced 

 heavy yields of excellent hay but failed to mature seed. 



North Swedish, Cherno, Cossack, and Semipalatinsk alfalfa came through 

 the winter in fair condition. The latter matured some seed. Red clover 

 seeded for soil improvement made a vigorous growth. White clover seeded 

 in 1916 in the lawn came through the winter in fair condition and made 

 satisfactory growth under unfavorable moisture and soil conditions. 



Oats grown for hay produced about IJ tons per aci-e and is said to consti- 

 tute the principal hay crop of the region. Native bluetop {^Calamagrostis 

 langsdorfd) is also utilized for hay. 



Of the potato varieties grown in increase plats the highest yield, 160 bu. per 

 acre, and best quality tubers were secured from Gold Coin, while in variety 

 tests the yields ranged from 92.2 bu. for Alaska Beauty to 162 bu. for Gold 

 Coin, Avhich was again first in quality. In single-row tests the yields varied 

 from 82 to 182 lbs. per row of 155 ft. for Bliss Triumph and Million Dollar, 

 respectively. Both blight and scab were found to be present to some extent 

 in the region. 



The Petrowski turnip is said to be a sure crop for this locality, and to be 

 nearly immune to attacks from the root maggot found in such abundance in 

 Alaska. 



Tests with cereals conducted in cooperation with the settlers of the Mata- 

 nuska and Anchorage-Knik regions are briefly noted. 



Beport of [fi.eld crops] work at Kodiak Live Stock and Breeding Station, 

 H. E. Pkatt {Alaska Stas. Rpt. 1911, pp. 73-77).— This describes the continua- 

 tion during 1917 of work along the same general lines as previously noted 

 (E. S. R., 39, p. 124). The year as a whole was characterized by a short sum- 

 mer and a long winter with the lowest temperature on record. 



Among the cereals tested for hay production the leading varieties were 

 Sixty Day oats, Success barley, and Russian spring wheat. Amraoti is said 

 to have given the best results among the field pea varieties tested. Red clover 

 and field peas responded favorably to inoculation. 



Based on limited variety tests with potatoes, Burpee Superior seems to be 

 best adapted to this locality. 



Native beach grass {Elymus mollis) and a tall beach sedge (Carex crypto- 

 carpa) are said to make excellent silage, while native bluetop {Cnlamagrostis 

 langsdorfd) is utilized for silage to a limited extent when the season is unfa- 

 voraljle for hay making. Fireweed (EpUohium angustifolium), fast becoming 

 established on the ash-covered flats and to a less extent on the hillsides, is 

 described as making fair silage when mixed with beach grass. Continual cut- 

 ting greatly reduced the yield of all these plants, while cutting in alternate 

 years only has maintained the yield. 



C. langsdorfii comprises the principal hay crop of the region, while mixtures 

 of this grass with greater or less amounts of coarse blue grass {Poa glumaris), 



