1058 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Of 20 varieties of winter wheat 9 yielded over 31 bushels per acre. The 3 leading 

 varieties, Harvest King, Martin Amber, and Royal Red Clawson, yielded 34.60, 

 34.58, and 34.22 bu., respectively. The average yield of all varieties was 29.17 bu. 

 per acre. The average of the 13 smooth varieties was 28.86 bu., and that of the 7 

 bearded varieties 29.74 bu. Dietz Longberry Red and Reliable gave the heaviest 

 weight of grain per bushel, 61.25 lbs. Of the varieties tested for 15 years Fulcaster 

 stands in the lead with 31.13 bu. of grain and 3,821 lbs. of straw per acre. 



The 19 varieties of oats grown in 1905 gave an average yield of 56.09 bu. per acre, 

 the range being from 47.80 to 61.50 bu. Czar of Russia ranked first in the production 

 of grain, and Mortgage Lifter, which stood last in grain production, ranked first 

 in yield of straw. In 1904 White Russian was the leading variety, with 77 bu. of 

 grain per acre, while Czar of Russia yielded only 69.13 bu. The yield of White 

 Russian in 1905 was 56.93 bu. per acre. 



Forty-three varieties of potatoes were grown this season and an average yield of 

 187 bu. per acre was secured, but of this quantity 27.4 bu. were unmerchantable 

 tubers. The leading varieties, mentioned in decreasing order of yield, were Eureka, 

 Heath Medium Late Beauty, Uncle Sam, Early Rose, Early Puritan, Extra Early 

 Crusader, Irish Daisy, Early Nancy, and Bliss Triumph, all producing over 200 bo. 

 of merchantable tubers per acre, while the remaining varieties fell below this yield. 

 The average total yield for all the varieties for 1904 was 77.9 bu. more than the yield 

 for 1905. 



Crops of southern France, Algeria, and Tunis, C. Riviere and H. Lecq 

 {Cultures du niidi de VAlgerie et de la Tunisie. Paris: J. B. Bailliere <i~ Son, 1906, pp. 

 XII Ar 511, figs. 69). — This book discusses the culture of tropical and subtropical 

 crops grown in southern France and in northern Africa. The topics discussed are 

 climate, cereal and garden crops, viticulture, forage crops, forestry, fruits, ornamen- 

 tals, plants furnishing rubber, tannin, dyes, fibers, perfume, starch, oil, etc., and the 

 marketing of fruits and legumes. 



Clark method of growing- grass for hay, C. D. Woods and J. M. Bartlett 

 {Maine Sta. Bui. 126, pp. 25-28). — About 2 acres of land was treated as nearly as pos- 

 sible in accordance with the Clark method. 



The results indicated the value of thorough preparation of the seed bed and liberal 

 applications of fertilizer in grass growing. The grass was sown in the fall of 1904 

 and in July of the next year 6j tons of field-cured hay was harvested. This crop 

 cost about $40 for fertilizers and about 837 for labor and seed. The station does 

 not believe this method adapted to Maine, as it does not fit in with mixed farming 

 and rotation of crops, and further, because the seeding formula recommended does 

 not contain clover. 



Report on an experiment conducted at Cransley, Northamptonshire, in 

 seasons 1901, 1902, and 1903: The improvement of poor pastures, T. H. 

 Middleton {Cambridge Univ., Dept. Agr., 1904, pp. 35, dgras. 2). — The results of 

 cooperative work indicated that to improve poor pastures on clay soils it is advisable 

 to begin with the use of from 7 to 10 cwt. of basic slag per acre. Barnyard manure, 

 sulphate' of ammonia, or dissolved bone should not be used in the beginning, but 

 may be applied after the first few years are over. The improvement of soil by 

 clovers and the management of pastures is discussed. 



Range improvement, J. J. Thornber {Arizona Sta. Rpt. 1905, pp. 17-21). — The 

 range improvement work of the station for the year ending June 30, 1905, with the 

 weather conditions for the period, is briefly reviewed. 



A good growth of forage plants on the range reserve is reported, and the prevail- 

 ing species are enumerated. Two common species of Indian wheat made the best 

 growth, the average height being 10 in. In estimating the relative amount of spring 

 forage on the mesas on small plats from which the plants were pulled up by the 

 roots, dried, and weighed, it was found that the average yield was at the rate of 

 2,812 lbs. of forage to the acre. 



