ANNUAL REPORT, 1930 237 



Further, this test has demonstrated that it is unwise to seed alfalfa on sod 

 land in Massachusetts without the intervention of at least one year of 

 tilled crop or fallow to kill troublesome weeds, especially the grasses. 

 I''rom Test No. 3, seeded in 1929, data on stand and yield were obtained 

 this year. Yields per acre for two cuttings, one year after seeding were: 



4-5 tons; Ontario, Hardigan, Dakota Common, Hungarian, Italian. 



3-4 tons: Dakota 12, Disco, Utah, Argentine, Nebraska, Turkestan, 



Kansas, New Mexico, Ladak. 

 2-3 tons: Arizona, South African. 

 1-2 tons: Hairy Peruvian. 



Scy beans. — Of 20 varieties of soy beans, the following 10 yielded the most 

 ha\' in decreasing order: Dunfield, Manchu, Habaro, Mansoy, Virginia, 

 Medium Green, Harbinsoy, George Washington, Illini, Pinpu. Seven of 

 these were among the higiiest yielding 10 varieties of last year. 

 Field Peas.- — Of 3 varieties tested, Chang led in yield of hay, followed by 

 Golden Vine, O. A. C. 181, Wisconsin Common, and Multiplier, in order. 

 Vetch. — Spring sown vetch varieties yielded iiay in the following order: 

 Oregon Pearl, Oregon Common, Smooth (15851), Hungarian, Hairy (15760). 



None of these annual legumes — soy beans, field peas, vetch — with only 

 one cutting, yielded as mucli iiay as well-adapted alfalfa varieties with 

 two or more cuttings a season according to these tests. Therefore, it 

 appears that such annual legiimes should be considered mainlj' as emerg- 

 ency substitutes for the higlier-yielding alfalfa and clovers. 



Method of Applying Fertilizer to Com. (A. B. Beaumont, E. F. Gas- 

 kill and R. E. Stitt). This is the third consecutive year that a field test 

 of methods of applying fertilizer to corn lias been made. The work was 

 done according to a plan for cooperative work sponsored by a joint com- 

 mittee representing the American Society of Agronomy, National Society 

 of Farm Equipment Manufacturers, American Society of Agricultural En- 

 gineers, and National Fertilizer Association. The results of this year are 

 in general agreement witli those of preceding years; namely, that fer- 

 tilizer applied in the hill gives better results than the same, and in some 

 cases, larger amounts broadcast. Fertilizer applied in the hill at the rate 

 of 500 poimds was superior to 500 pounds or 1000 pounds broadcast. 



Field Experiments with Onions. (A. B. Beaumont and M. E. Snefl). 

 Most t)f these experiments \\ ere redirected last spring in tlie light of results 

 of the last five years. The crop was started from sets instead of seeds 

 as in previous years. Cover crops were omitted this year, the comparison 

 of muriate and sulfate of potash \\as dropjied, and certain ciianges were 

 made in the study of fertilizer ratios. 



In the lime series, where lime was applied in 1925, there was a progress- 

 ive increase in yield from applications of 2 up to 6 tons of limestone per 

 acre. In two other series one of which received lime in 1925, the other 

 in 1928, the yield from the later application was superior to that from the 

 earlier, indicating that wlien lime is used in moderate amounts, the applica- 

 tions should be more frequent. Experiments on the substitution of super- 

 phosphate for a part of tiie lime gave results which indicate that super- 

 phosphate can take the place of little if any of the required lime, and at 

 present prices of these materials there would be no economy in the sub- 



