DRY-FARMING CONGRESS, WICHITA, 1914 



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have each in turn, but in different seasons, given us the largest yield. In 

 each case the plowing that proved best was done at the time that the soil 

 was in the best condition for plowing, and at the depth that enabled the 

 best work to be done. 



Surface Cultivation Helps Stubble Land. 



The average yield of all stubble land that was surface cultivated was 

 2 bushels, 35 pounds of wheat; and 7 bushels, 22 pounds of oats more than 

 the average for those not cultivated in any way. In the absence of weeds 

 and in the presence of a long heavy stubble, we do not expect such an 

 increase. In such a case, for immediate returns, burning in the spring 

 followed by surface cultivation, is preferable in spite of the fact that 

 burning dissipates organic matter and nitrogen. 



Early Surface Cultivation Preferable to Late. 



Early surface cultivation in the fall increased the yield of wheat IV2 

 oushels, and the yield of oats 1 bushel, 24 pounds over similar surface 

 cultivation done late in the fall. 



Frequent Cultivation Pays. 



Potatoes, cultivated four times produced 19 bushels more marketable 

 tubers and 10 bushels less unmarketable ones than the same variety culti- 

 vated twice. 



Harrow the Growing Crop. 



No figures are available to prove the value of harrowing the growing 

 erop this year, but careful observations confirm us in the opinion that the 

 harrowing of all cereal crops, corn and potatoes after they were up, ma- 

 terially increased the yield. Fields that are very loose or rougn, or cov- 

 ered with small heaps of uncovered stubble, respond less favorably to this 

 treatment, but on weedy land, and particularly in dry years, its advantages 

 are very apparent. 



Sow Thinly in Dry Areas. 



One bushel of wheat, one bushel of oats, % bushel spring rye, V2 

 bushel winter rye and 20 pounds of flax ,each produce larger net yields 

 than thicker seedings. 



Alfalfa when seeded at AY2 pounds per acre in row° 24 inches apart 

 .and cultivated, yielded more forage than all heavier seedings in closer 

 rows, but otherwise treated in the same way. 



Alfalfa sown at the rate of 3 pounds per acre in rows 36 inches apart 

 yielded more seed than any thicker seeding in closer rows. 



All our thinly sown hay crops gave larger returns than those sown 

 more thickly. 



I trust these observations may be of some value and interest. 



SECRETARY FAXON: 



Mr. Chairman: The committee to confer with Chairman Drummond 

 relative to certain changes in the constitution is asked to meet in the lobby 

 at once. That committee consists of E. P. Humbert, New Mexico; J. H. 



