514 
Journal of Agricultural Research 
Vol. XIV, No. ii 
With the wheat crop the difference, if any, between dynamiting each 
year, the first year after dynamiting, and not dynamiting at all appears 
to be slightly in favor of the latter. The highest yields have been 
obtained each year both where wheat follows wheat and where wheat 
follows com on plots the second year after dynamiting. The fact that 
these results have been obtained from four separate plots would seem to 
remove it from the possibility of being due to soil variation. With the 
com crop the tendency has been for the land not dynamited at all to 
produce the highest yields. The second highest average yield has been 
the first year after dynamiting, the third highest the second year after 
dynamiting, while the lowest yields have been from those plots dyna¬ 
mited each year. 
The results of both crops together indicate that it is very questionable 
whether any actual increase of yields may be obtained on this soil as a 
result of dynamiting. There can be no question, however, of the con¬ 
clusion that there is no chance of yields being increased sufficiently to 
make the operation a profitable one. The experiment is being continued, 
however, and has been somewhat extended. In order to determine the 
effect of a complete loosening of the soil regardless of cost, one one-tenth 
acre plot was dynamited in the fall of 1915 with charges set close enough 
together to insure the loosening and stirring of all the soil on the plot, 
the charges being fired at a depth of 30 inches. In 1916 the appearance 
and the yield of the wheat on this plot was practically the same as that 
on an adjoining plot that was ordinary fall-plowed. 
bellEFourche field station 
deep tillage by the use op dynamite 
In October, 1912, a representative of the powder company gave a 
demonstration in blasting soil for field crops at the Beliefourche Field 
Station. A one-tenth acre plot (plot 1 in Series VIII, field B), 8 rods by 
2 rods, that had been in millet (Panicum miliaceum) was selected for the 
demonstration. The shots were placed 20 feet apart each way and 3 
feet deep. This plot and two adjoining plots that were used for controls 
had been plowed shortly before the dynamiting. The control plots 
(plots 1 in Series VII and Series IX) adjoined the ends of the dynamited 
plots, one on the east and one on the west. The soil on the plots in 
Series VII and VIII is uniform, but that on the plot in Series IX is 
poorer on account of a hardpan spot covering nearly half its area. This 
plot was manured. 
In the spring of 1913 all three plots were treated alike and seeded to 
Sixty-Day oats. The dynamiting and manuring were not repeated but 
the plots were given uniform treatment and again seeded to oats in 1914. 
Both seasons spring conditions were favorable, but after the latter part 
of June or the first part of July the crop suffered from drouth. 
