2 BULLETIN 270, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Data on the cooperative cereal work are included in each of the 

 several annual reports published by the Williston substation. 1 This 

 bulletin summarizes the cooperative cereal experiments for a period 

 covering seven years, and such conclusions as are warranted are pre- 

 sented. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE SUBSTATION. 



The results obtained at the Williston substation are applicable only 

 to portions of North Dakota and eastern Montana. Conditions very 

 similar to those at Williston occur in all of North Dakota lying west 

 of the one hundred and first meridian and the Missouri River, and in 

 the eastern portion of Valley, Custer, and Dawson Counties, Mon- 

 tana. The one hundred and first meridian runs through Bottineau, 

 McHenry, and McLean Counties in North Dakota. 



To determine just how far the results obtained at Williston are 

 applicable to other parts of the district, it is necessary to consider 

 the variability of the climate and other conditions. In order that 

 such comparisons may be made, a detailed description of the Willis- 

 ton substation is here given. 



LOCATION. 



The Williston substation is located about one-half mile north of 

 the city of Williston and 1 \ miles north of the Missouri River, in the 

 south-central part of Williams County. It comprises 160 acres, of 

 which a part is creek-bottom flat and the remainder level or rolling 

 bench land above the creek bottom. The elevation is approximately 

 1,900 feet above sea level. 



The Little Muddy Creek drains the locality to the north for several 

 miles, borders the substation on the east, and empties into the Mis- 

 souri River. On both sides of this creek is an alluvial valley, varying 

 in width from less than a mile to more than 5 miles. 



Outside of this valley there are two extensive types of topography, 

 as well as two soil types: (1) The gently rolling or nearly level areas 

 of good agricultural land of the soil type known as Williams loam and 

 (2) the sharply rolling hills along the streams, composed of a stony, 

 rock-strewn soil known as Williams stony loam. 



Until within the last few years all of western North Dakota and 

 eastern Montana was a range country. Now, however, there are no 

 large ranches except in rough areas where the raising of crops is 

 difficult. The new settlers raise wheat almost exclusively during the 

 first few years. After that they gradually adopt a system of more 

 diversified farming, including the growing of other small grains, corn, 

 and legumes, and the keeping of live stock. 



1 North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station, Williston Subexperiment Station, Annual Reports, 

 1908 to 1913. 



