38 BULLETIN 214, TJ. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Table XIX shows a rather natural division of the stations into two 

 groups. At the 10 more northern stations spring wheat has been 

 grown at a profit by at least one method. At Belle Fourche the only 

 profit was $1.41, from disked corn ground. At the 4 more southern 

 stations the only profit realized from any method has been 15 cents 

 an acre from disked corn ground at Hays. 



When tests on fall-plowed ground following corn, oats, and wheat 

 are averaged together and compared with spring plowing following 

 the same crops, the averages of the two methods at the 14 stations 

 are the same for the years averaged. At only 3 stations — Scotts- 

 bluff, Akron, and Hays — are the average differences greater than 1 

 bushel per acre. At Hays the advantage is with fall plowing and 

 at the other 2 stations with spring plowing. At most stations the 

 average difference is too low to receive much consideration. The 

 advantage of one over the other depends chiefly upon the season, as 

 is shown in the detailed tables. The data indicate the importance 

 of understanding the general principles that govern the observed 

 seasonal variations and the importance of adjusting this work to the 

 general economy of the farm organization. This subject is too broad 

 to be considered here, and a separate publication dealing with it in 

 detail is in preparation. The small difference in cost of the two 

 methods makes relative profits and losses from them follow closely 

 the differences in yields. 



Disked corn ground has given consistently high yields. This, 

 together with the low cost of this preparation for wheat, has resulted 

 in its uniform showing of the greatest profit per acre at those stations 

 where it has been possible to raise wheat at a profit and the least loss 

 at those stations where wheat has been raised only at a loss. The 

 only exception to this is at Dalhart, Tex., where yields have been so 

 low as to be of little practical moment. The realization of these 

 profits depends, of course, upon the successful growth of corn as a 

 general farm crop in competition with other crops. 



It should be borne in mind that at all stations disking corn ground 

 as a preparation for all small grain crops has been done upon corn 

 land kept free from weeds. If weeds were allowed to develop in the 

 corn similar results should not be expected. To the extent that 

 the weeds developed or were unhindered in their growth, the corn 

 ground would approach a grain stubble in the condition of the seed 

 bed. If the weeds matured seed, further damage might be done by 

 their growth in the succeeding crop. Where moisture is the limiting 

 factor, weed growth is decidedly detrimental. 



Subsoiling, as compared with similar wheat stubble fall plowed 

 without subsoiling, has been of doubtful utility as a means of in- 

 creasing yields. As a means of overcoming drought it is without 

 value. Only at Judith Basin and Scottsbluff has it been able to 



