78 



CULTURAL WORK AT STERLING, 



By A. A. DENTON. 

 (Analytical work by Hurbert Edson and Jno. L. Fuelling.) 



In continuing the experimental work with varieties of sorghum at 

 Sterling, Kans., 130 acres of land was leased on four farms, distant 

 from 1 to 2 miles from each other and from the station. 



The soil on these farms varied from sandy to hard clay, and these dif- 

 ferences affected results, as will be noted later. Fifteen acres had been 

 well plowed the previous fall, the soil was in good condition at planting 

 time, the seeds germinated sooner and more evenly, the canes ripened 

 sooner and more nearly at the same time, and the analyses were more 

 uniform than on dry soil plowed at time of planting. Fifteen acres were 

 subsoiled, the ordinary plow being followed by a subsoil plow. No 

 benefit was noted from subsoiling. Varieties of sorghum planted on 

 well-plowed land, not subsoiled, succeeded as well as the same varieties 

 planted on adjacent land, which was not subsoiled. It is said that sub- 

 soiling is done to best advantage in the fall. It is also said that bene- 

 fit from subsoiling is seen in following years. Probably much depends 

 upon the subsoil and upon the season. It requires experiments to de- 

 termine the best methods for various soils. Twenty-five acres had not 

 been cultivated the previous season, the soil was dry and hard and was 

 plowed with difficulty, and this, or other causes affected the crop. 



Six hundred plats were planted with varieties of sorghum, or with 

 selections from the best varieties made the previous year; 31 plats 

 were planted with seeds received from foreign countries ; 33 plats, con- 

 taining very nearly 1 acre each, were planted with the varieties whicl 

 had given best results in previous years at this station. The object oi 

 planting these larger lots was to get the average value of each variel 

 in larger lots by more frequent analyses of larger samples of cane thai 

 could be done with smaller lots, to have an ample supply of cane fc 

 extended seed selection from the best varieties, and to secure sufficient 

 seed of the best varieties for distribution by the Department of Agri- 

 culture. Seventy- two lots were planted in crosses, which had been 

 lected from those grown the previous year as worthy of further trial. 



Special effort was made to plant all the varieties as nearly as possi- 

 ble at one time. Earlier or later planting sometimes affects results ol 

 any crop, favorably or unfavorably, according to the season. Plantiuj 

 varieties at the same time facilitates comparison of analyses by plachij 

 them more nearly in like conditions. It is quite likely that the plant 

 ing was unduly hurried, and that it would have been better to give it 

 more time. 



In planting varieties, consideration was given to the varying condi- 

 tion of the soil. Selections from the best varieties were planted on each 

 of the four farms. Each variety was planted on sandy soil and also on 

 clay. It is believed a more correct general analysis of each variety can 

 be obtained from a number of plats planted on different soils. In we 



