1919] FIELD CROPS. 435 



culture near Mandan, In which an effort is being made to determine the carry- 

 ing capacity of native range pastures without regard to tlieir maintenance or 

 improvement. Two-yeai*-old grade beef-bi"ed range steers, comprising Sliorthorn, 

 Angus, and Hereford grade and crossbred cattle, have been adopted as the 

 grazing unit and studies made of pasturing ratios of 3, 5, 7, and 10 acres of 

 grass area per steer. The work was begun in 1915 when the entire area of 250 

 acres was grazed as one pasture. In 1916 the area was divided into 30, 50, 70, 

 and 100 acre pastures, each grazed by ten 2-year-old steers or their equivalent. 

 By means of quadrats 20 by 300 ft. fenced off in the 30 and the 100 acre 

 pastures, information has been secured relative to the dominant, primary, and 

 secondary species of grasses and of plants other than grasses occurring in the 

 different pastures. Perquadrats 4 meters square (about 19.14 sq. yds.) are 

 opened for grazing each year and a similar perquadrat taken in from the pas- 

 ture. Population studies of these areas for ten years are expected to furnish 

 data concerning the flora of areas grazed from one to ten years. 



The 1918 results are given in some detail, and summarized statements pre- 

 sented for the whole period of the experiment showing the average gains per 

 head, per day, and per acre for the different pasture ratios, and the gains per 

 day for different grazing periods. It is stated that although the results are 

 not yet regarded as conclusive they indicate that less than 7 acres of native 

 range pasture per 2-year-old steer is insufficient, that the principal gains are 

 made by cattle during the early part of the grazing season, that late season 

 grazing is done without gains, if not at an actual loss in weight, and that " the 

 number of acres supplied per steer in practice will depend upon the farm man- 

 agement qufestions of the cost of supplementing pastures and the price of land 

 used for grazing, as heavy early season pasturing gives maximum per acre 

 yields." 



Baling hay, H. B. McCluke (U. 8. Dept. Agr., Farmers' Bui. 1049 (1919), pp. 

 3-i, figs. 8). — Various types of hay presses and their operation are described, 

 and farm practices conducive to maximum efficiency in baling hay indicated. 



Alfalfa on corn belt farms, J. A. Drake, J. C. Bundles, and R. D. Jennings 

 (U. S. Dept. Agr., Farmers' Bui. 1021 {1919), pp. 32, figs. i(j).— Based on infor- 

 mation secured from 235 farms in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa, where 

 alfalfa was found to be grown successfully, this publication discusses the cropping 

 systems and the methods of handling the crop employed by experienced corn 

 belt growers to overcome the labor conflict between alfalfa and corn. 



The principal means of attaining this end is said to comprise the speeding 

 up of the haying operations and corn cultivation by the utilization of labor- 

 saving devices and more efficient management. The use of alfalfa for pasture 

 has also aided to some extent. 



Alfalfa in Michigan, J. F. Cox {Michigan Sta. Spec. Bui. 91 {1919), pp. S-16, 

 figs. 7). — Field practices and cultural methods employed in growing the crop in 

 the State are described. 



Barley culture in South Dakota, M. Champlin, J. D. Mobbison, and J. Mas- 

 tin {South Dakota Sta. Bui. 183 {1919), pp. 11-69, figs, i^).— This bulletin de- 

 scribes variety and cultural tests with barley conducted in cooperation with 

 the U. S. Department of Agriculture at Brookings, Cottonwood, Eureka, High- 

 more, and Newell, over a period of several years. The crop is said to rank 

 fourth among the cereal crops of the State. The results secured may be sum- 

 marized as follows: 



In general, barley has produced more food per acre than other small-grain 

 crops, although there have been some notable exceptions. No advantage was 

 found in growing barley in mixtures with oats or emmer. Odessa (S. D. 182) 

 is said to have given good results in all parts of the State where tried and is 



