FIELD CROPS. 233 



wherever it can be safely grown should constitute a considerable portion of the 

 small-grain crop. 



Systems of rotation adapted to local conditions are considered of greater 

 importance in the Great Plains region than tillage methods. Precipitation 

 records for the stations are appended. 



Demonstration work on southern farms, S. A. Knapp {U. S. Dept. Agr., 

 Farmers' Bui. J/22, pp. 19, figs. J/). — This supersedes Farmers' Bulletin 319 

 (E. S. R., 19, p. 1027). It gives a brief history of the movement, its plan of 

 organization, and the scope of its demonstrations. 



A statement of the system used for producing cotton under boll weevil condi- 

 tions includes a discussion of the general principles followed, the destruction of 

 weevils, proper preparation of the soil, early planting of early maturing varie- 

 ties, fertilizing, wider spacing of plants and rows, the use of the harrow, the 

 agitation of stalks by means of brush on the handles of the cultivator or plow, 

 picking up fallen squares, selecting and storing seed, and rotation of crops. 

 The occasional use of topping or of root pruning by means of barring off is 

 suggested as a means of preventing the formation of r useless top crop. 



Demonstration work with corn is more briefly outlined and the use of cowpeas 

 and other soil renovating ci'ops recommended. The good seed problem is being 

 solved by the establishment of seed farms on which the crop is grown, selected, 

 and stored under the supervision of the cooperative agent. In one county the 

 corn grown b^^ boys' clubs averaged 76 bu. per acre as compared with 16 bu. 

 on the neighboring farms. 



Report of the agriculturist, W. P. Brooks, E. S. Fulton, and E. F. Gaskill 

 (Massachusetts Sta. Rpt. 1909, pt. 1, pp. 36-'))). — Investigations were continued 

 in accordance with the general plan of previous years (E. S. R., 22, p. 231). 



In the tests of different sources of nitrogen, the relative yields on the basis 

 of 100 for nitrate of soda, were dried blood 100..5. sulphate of ammonia 87.14, 

 barnyard manure S3, and with no nitrogen 72.34. The corresponding values 

 for the 20 years of the experiment are 92.34, S6.47, 94.05, and 70.99. 



During 1909, the eighteenth of the test of sources of potassium, sulphate of 

 potash ga\'e a heavier yield of corn by 5 bu. and a lighter yield of stover by 

 600 lbs. per acre than muriate. Blackberries winterkilled less on a sulphate of 

 potash plat. The yields per acre following applications of muriate and sulphate 

 were 6,002 and 3,257 lbs. respectively of asparagus, 22,786 and 28,349 lbs. 

 respectively of rhubarb. 799.1 and 822.4 bu. respectively of carrots, and 24.344 

 and 24,400 lbs. respectively of cabbage. There were nearly three times as many 

 pounds of soft heads of cabbage on the muriate plats as with the sulphate. 



In the tests of manure with three commercial sources of nitrogen, each plat 

 had in addition to dissolved bone black some combination of nitrogen and po- 

 tassium sources. With muriate as a source of potash, applications of sulphate 

 of ammonia, nitrate of soda, and dried blood were followed by yields of 359.2, 

 565.1, and 515.9 bu. respectively of No. 1 onions. The yields in the same order 

 when the sulphate replaced the muriate were 412, 703.6, and 557.5 bu. per acre. 

 Cauliflowers and asparagus also gave better yields after the sulphate. The 

 plat where manure is used without fertilizers still produces nearly as good 

 yields as those fertilized in addition to the manure. 



The average yields of hay and rowen on the no-potash plats were 5,744 and 

 680 lbs. per acre, respectively, as compared with average yields of 6,412.6 and 

 1,555.4 lbs, on the potash plats. Clover was a comparative failure on the 

 no-potash plats and timothy was notably heavier on the kainit plats. 



The average yield of soy beans following 10 phosphatic fertilizers was 30.6 

 bu. per acre as compared with 27.8 on check plats. A 17.7 per cent increase^ 

 296 lbs. per acre — followed the use of steamed bone meal. Different phosphates 



