790 EXPERIMENT STATION RECOED. 



Fertilizers, without irrigation, gave a profitable increase in yield. Irrigation 

 witlaout fertilization gave an increase in yield in one instance only, there 

 being, on an average, uo increase in yield. A short-period irrigation (51 days) 

 was as efficient as, and even more so than, a long-period irrigation (97 days), 

 the later irrigation giving no increase but rather a reduction in yield. The 

 time of irrigation seemed to be of great importance in the production of 

 potatoes, results of earlier investigations favoring the first of June rather than 

 July for the first application. As in previous experiments an increase in water 

 gave an increase in yield, but in direct proportion. Irrigation, but not fertiliza- 

 tion, increased the percentage of large potatoes in the crop, and almost without 

 exception increased the starch content of the potatoes individually, as well as 

 the total starch content and the percentage of plant food assimilated. Owing 

 to the abundant rainfall of the year (330.7 mm. in 48 rainy days from May 

 to September) the effects of irrigation were not so marked as they might be 

 in a drier year. 



The reclamation of seeped and alkali lands, C. F. Brown and R. A. Hart 

 (Utah Sla. Bid. Ill, pp. 76-92, figs. 8). — This bulletin gives the results of drain- 

 age operations carried on in cooperation with this Office at Huntington, Emery 

 County, Utah, from 1906 to 1910, and also at several points in western Colorado, 

 where the peculiar structure and condition of the soil have made the reclama- 

 tion of seeped lands extremely difficult. The Huntington experiment is de- 

 scribed in detail and the beneficial results from drainage are set forth. 



Following this is given a condensed set of recommendations intended to 

 cover the general conditions as found throughout the Colorado plateau, among 

 these being the following: The exact source of water supply should be deter- 

 mined for the field being examined, by means of auger borings and test pits. 

 If the source is in underground shale knolls, drains not less than 5 ft. deep 

 from some suitable outlet through the natural course of seepage should be laid 

 directly into the shale knolls. The deeper the drain in the shale, the better 

 the results. To avoid expensive construction, drainage should be undertaken 

 as soon as seepage makes its appearance, but even localities that have already 

 been seeped for a long time may usually be successfully reclaimed. To clean 

 out the drainage system after completion, it is advisable to turn irrigation 

 water in at the head. It is also well to arrange a permanent flushing box at 

 the upper end of all drains for this purpose. Vigorous cultivation in the fall, 

 to give the rains and snows an opportunity to leach out the alkaline salts de- 

 posited on the surface is one of the first steps toward reclamation, and more 

 cultivation in the spring, followed by a liberal application of irrigation water, 

 is another important factor. Alkali-resistant crops should be planted. Care 

 must be taken not to irrigate directly over the drain lines, and where an irriga- 

 tion ditch crosses a drain a flume should be provided. The cost of draining 

 small tracts, using lumber box drains, will probably average $18 per acre in 

 lands that have been long seeped. The seepage is in general due to losses from 

 the irrigation canals and can be prevented by lining or silting them where they 

 cut through shale formations. 



Construction of a silo, H. Atwood {West Virginia 8ta. Bui. 129, pp. 187- 

 195, pis. 2). — ^A discussion of some principles involved in silo construction. 

 Directions are given for building a brick silo, reinforced with woven wire fenc- 

 ing, which is in use at the station. The estimated cost of this silo, including 

 labor, was .$313. 



Cooperative silo building', C. Nelson {Country Gent., 76 {1911), No. 3027, 

 p. 110). — Estimates are given of the cost of building stave and cement block 

 silos. 



