191f^] FIELD CROPS. 729 



soil. In the irrigation of alfalfa the decrease in soil-moisture content at harvest 

 was generally greatest with 9- and 12-in. applications, while the total amounts 

 of water held in the soil were greatest with the last two stages of wilting. 



In experiments with wheat made during 1914-1918, inclusive, 3- and 7-in. 

 applications were given at two or more of the five stages of growth, including 

 the 5-leaf, boot, bloom, milk, and dough stages. Tlie highest yield was obtained 

 with 28 in. of water in four applications, when an irrigation was omitted at 

 the 5-leaf stage. The highest yield .with three irrigations occurred with 21 in. 

 of water when applications were omitted at the 5-leaf and dough stages. The 

 average yields of wheat were considerably higher with 7-in. than with 3-in. 

 applications. The yields were relatively low when irrigations were omitted at 

 the boot and bloom stages, indicating that a very critical period occurs in the 

 irrigation of wheat between the boot and milk stages. The highest yield with 

 two irrigations was secured with 9-in. applications, one before and one after 

 heading. High yields per acre were generally accompanied by the greatest 

 decrease in soil-moisture content at harvest as compared with the soil-moisture 

 content before the first irrigation. 



In work with potatoes conducted during the period 1914-1917, inclusive, the 

 highest yield was obtained with a total irrigation of IC") in. made in 3-in. 

 applications, given when the plants showed a tendency to wilt. 



Irrigation experiments with clover made in 1914 showed a gradual decrease 

 in yield in the different plats with the same applications of water as the wilt- 

 ing stage advanced before water was applied. 



The greatest yield of sugar beets during the two-year period 1914-15 was 

 obtained with 18 in. of water made in 3-in. applications. 



Tlie results of these investigations are held to show that the most economical 

 use of water was obtained with a total irrigation of 3.5 ft. in 6-in. applications 

 for alfalfa and clover, 2.3 ft. in 7-in. application for wlieat, and 1.5 ft. in 3-in. 

 applications for potatoes and sugar beets. When alfalfa fields are used for fall 

 pasture, usually an additional irrigation is required after the last crop of hay is 

 harvested. 



[Eeport of "work with, field crops in Nova Scotia, 1918] (Ann. Rpt. Sec. Agr. 

 Nova Scotia, 1918, pt. 1, pp. 27-39). — Variety and fertilizer tests with oats and 

 field tests with wheat, barley, mangels, turnips, and hay and pasture crops are 

 briefly described. 



[B-eport of field crops work in Tortola] (Imp. Dept. Agr. West Indies, Rpt. 

 Agr. Dept. Tortola, 1917-18, pp. 3, //, 5. 7-9). — This describes work with sugar 

 cane, sweet potatoes, corn, cassava, beans, and cotton on the island for the 

 year ended Jlarch 31, 1918. 



Guide to experiments for 1919 [in Northumberland County, England], 

 D. A. Gilchrist {County Nortlmmh: Ed. Com. Bui. 29 {1919), pp. 4-18, pi. 1). — 

 This describes the continuation of rotation, fertilizer, and variety tests with 

 field crops along the same general lines as previously noted (E. S. R., 40, 

 p. 624). 



[Report of seed testing and experimental work at Oerlikon, Zurich], A. 

 YoLKAKT ET AL. {Laiulic. Jahrb. Sclureiz, 33 {1919), No. 1, pp. 58-77).— This de- 

 scribes the continuation for 1916-17 and 1917-18 of work along the same gen- 

 eral lines as that previously noted (E. S. R., 38, p. 538). 



Food and fodder plants, .1. H. Holland {Roy. Bat. Gard. Kew, Bui. Misc. 

 Inform., No. 1-3 {1919), pp. 1-8.'/). — The important food and fodder plants oc- 

 curring in the I.cguminosre, GramineJio, Crucit'eree, and liosaceic are enumerated, 

 together with additional important products occurring in other families. The 

 chief countries of production, the imports into Great Britain, the approximate 



