6 



BULLETIN 188, U. S. DEPAETMEISTT OF AGEICULTURE. 



In general, the results of the tests made in 1914 agree with those 

 obtained the previous year. For instance, in the 5-inch planting the 

 tillers per plant in 1913 averaged 2.6, whereas in 1914 the average 

 rucrr^Ajr-^ ^r^..^., „, ^ was oulv 1.07, or less than in the un- 



20.Z A3.3 x).s 72 3s 3s thiuncd plat in 1913. This was un- 

 doubtedly due to the seasonal condi- 

 tions. The weather during April and 

 May, 1914, was unusually wet and 

 cloudy, during April especially so, 

 while in 1913 the conditions were 

 more nearly normal. Temperature 



15 



-20- 



D/SmAACES BETWEEN PL^A/TS- /AK:h£S 

 24.S /7.7 /2.7 SB 6.3 3.S 23 



Fig. 1. — Diagram showing graphically the 

 grain yields of milo and the tillers pro- 

 duced in the 1913 experiments. The solid 

 columns indicate the yield in bushels, and 

 the shaded columns represent the tUlers. 



Fig. 2.— Diagram showing graphically the grain 

 yields of milo and the tillers and branches pro- 

 duced in the 1914 experiments. The solid 

 columns denote the yield tn bushels, while the 

 tillers are represented by diagonally shaded 

 columns and the branches by dotted columns. 



and sunlight, it appears, have a very marked effect on the number of 

 tillers that are produced. 



Another point brought out in the test of 1914, which was not notice- 

 able the preceding year, was the branching of the plants, which 

 took place after the warm weather set in. Counts were made of 

 all the different plats at the time of ripening, and the number of 

 branches averaged as high as 3.44 where the plants were spaced 24 

 inches apart. From this the number of branches decreased uni- 

 formly until there were only 0.31 per plant in the unthinned row^s. 

 It is probable that, as tillering did not take place until the plants 

 were well along in growth and as there was an abundance of moisture 

 in the soil, the plants spaced to a greater distance than 5 inches offset 

 this wide spacing by sending out branches. 



