134 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Field experiments, J. Atkinson {Iowa Sta. Bui. JfS, ijp. 216-229, 

 ■figs. If). — This Is a preliminaiy report on a s^^stem of experiments with 

 field crops begun in 1898. Variety tests cover corn, spring wheat, oats, 

 and barley. Shallow cultivation gave the largest 3neld of corn. Win- 

 ter wheat is unprofitable on account of the severe winters. On mellow 

 ground spring wheat gave a larger 3neld bv disking corn stubble than 

 by plowing 1 and 8 in. deep. Good results were obtained bv sowing 

 1 lb. of rape seed per acre with oats for pasture after the oats are 

 harvested. In order to avoid interference in harvesting the oats, it is 

 advised to sow the rape 2 or 3 weeks later. Sowing a mixture of 

 wheat and oats gave an increase in the total 3'ield. Cutting back oats 

 lessened the loss from lodging but lengthened the time of ripening. 

 Sov beans and cowpeas, when grown at the station, did not form root 

 nodules and the cowpeas did not ripen seed. Sorghum as a fodder 

 plant is recommended for the State, and methods of seeding and cur- 

 ing and the feeding value are discussed. Brome grass {Bi'omus iner- 

 mls) is considered valuable to the section, but further experiments arc 

 necessary before a detinite report can be made. 



In an experiment to test the shrinking of ear corn, a crib holding 

 7,000 lbs. of husked corn was built upon a pair of scales and weekly 

 weighings made during 1 3'ear. For 3 months, October to January, 

 the loss in weight was 9 per cent; from January to April, 5f per cent: 

 April to July, 3^ per cent; July to October, 2f per cent. Total loss 

 for the 3'ear, a fraction over 20 per cent. 



Experiments in growing sugar beets covering 10 3'ears indicate that 

 the conditions in Iowa are favorable for the production of beets of 

 superior qualit3^ for sugar making. 



Results obtained in 1899 from trial plats of grain, fodder corn, 

 field roots, and potatoes, W. Saunders {Canada Ctnt. Expt. Farm 

 But. Slf.^ -pi?. 52, figs. 2). — Cooperative variet3' tests in continuation of 

 those previously reported (E. S. R., 10, p. 1031) are recorded. The 

 plan of the experiments has remained as heretofore. The 3"ields of 

 each crop obtained at the different experimental farms are tabulated. 

 The varieties giving the largest yields at the different stations were as 

 follows: 



Oats. — American Beauty, Banner, ]\Iiller, New Zealand, Holstein Prolific, Dunifih 

 Island, Black Tartarian, California Prolific, Wide Awake, Salines, Early Maine, ami 

 Poland. Average yield per acre, 81 bu. 22 lbs. Two-rowed barley. — French Chevalier. 

 Danish Chevalier, Sidney, Dunham, Beaver, and Canadian Thorpe. Average yield 

 per acre, 49 bu. 41 lbs. Siv-rowed barley. — Argyle, Claude, Mansfield, Maushury, 

 Trooper, and Baxter. Average yield i^er acre, 52 bu. 16 lbs. Spring wheat. — Rou- 

 manian, Wellman Fife, Hungarian, Goose, Huron, Monarch, Preston, Rio Grande, 

 Pringle Champlain, White Fife, Laurel, and Red Fife. Average yield per acre, 35 

 bu. 17 lbs. Peax. — Elder, German White, Picton, Carleton, White Wonder, Archer, 

 Macoun, Chelsea, Victoria, Chancellor, King, and Nelson. Average yield per acre, 35 

 bu. 56 lbs. Indian corn. — Red Cob Ensilage, Champion White Pearl, Early Mastodon, 



