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‘coy: =——~*~*«SS TATE. OF NEVADA

BIENNIAL REPORT

OF THE

Eko County Dry Farm
1911-1912

GORDON H. TRUE,

a | A. W. HESSON,
i GEO. M. BOWER,
‘z Board of Control
|

i CARSON CITY, NEVADA
‘¢ |] STATE PRINTING OFFICE

i . pee e195

JOE FARNSWORTH, SUPERINTENDENT

_ SE Ta ae a | Ped | ae RES | aed | ae ES | TRA |

Ort a <a ey o>52 8%
‘ ee ad

STATE OF NEVADA

BIENNIAL REPORT

OF THE

Eko County Dry Farm
1911-1912

GORDON H. TRUE,

A. W. HESSON,

GEO. M. BOWER,
Board of Control

CARSON CITY, NEVADA
STATE PRINTING OFFICE . . . JOE FARNSWORTH, SUPERINTENDENT
1913
149

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LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF CONTROL
STATE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT Dry Farm,
Ex.xo, Nevapa, December 31, 1912.
Fis Excellency, TASKER L. OppIE, Governor of Nevada.
Dear Sir: Herewith is submitted the report of the Board of Control
of the State Agricultural Experiment Dry Farm, located at Pleasant Val-
ley, Elko County, Nevada, for the years 1911 and 1912.

Respectfully,
A. W. HESSON,

Chairman.

,
ai)
@

BOARD OF CONTROL, ELKO COUNTY DRY FARM

AaW). LLESSON ORGgRINON cP 2/80) Nae Pe
(GTO VINES WYSE Perce wre nee arene eas Lamoi
GORDON Hi. DRUE, Secretary... oe eo Ren

WALFRIED SOHLMAN, Foreman Of Frit .i......0.:cc0:c000 geen Blaine, Nevada

BIENNIAL REPORT

The State Agricultural Experiment Dry Farm was established by Act
of the Legislature in 1909. The site was selected by a committee of
Elko County farmers and purchased by that county and title given to
the State. The property was turned over by the Governor to the
Agricultural Experiment Station for management in June, 1910, and in
the spring of the following year came under the management of the
present Board of Control. Less than half of the appropriation for the
first biennial term was spent. Only one team had been bought, no new
buildings had been erected and but ‘sixty acres of new land cleared. It
has therefore been necessary to erect buildings, buy additional teams and
some new machinery that might have been purchased with that part of
the appropriation which was turned back to the State. This fact seemed
to the State Board of Examiners to justify them in the allowance of an
1.800 deficit in the account for 1912, all of which has not been used.

Of the total area of the ranch probably 130 acres are now under cul-
tivation and all the rest cleared. The only needed expenditures for
equipment are for a small thresher with power, and a small building
suitable for office and seed laboratory. The board estimates that the
cost of running the work for two years including these expenditures for
new equipment will be $8,000, a thousand dollars a year less than the
previous appropriations.

The State Dry Farm justifies continued maintenance for the following
reasons:

1. It isa practical demonstration of what can be done by scientific
agriculture in localities where the precipitation is 11 to 15 inches.

2. It has just arrived at ‘the stage where the best results may be
looked for. It has taken reasonable time to work up to this condition.

3. It can now be a center for distribution of good seed. Witha
convenient little thresher outfit added to the present equipment, pure
seed of superior quality would be available for Nevada’s farmers.

4. Many live problems in dry farming remain yet to be solved,
many possibilities to be demonstrated. One or two might be men-
tioned—orchard experiment, alfalfa-seed growing, drought-resistant
grass tests, and stock maintenance.

REVIEW FOR 1911
During the year 1911 the experiments were all in the field of spring
crops. In the autumn of 1910 the condition of the ground did not admit
of fall seeding, and not until the late autumn rains had made it prac-
ticable was any fall ploughing attempted. Therefore, while fall seeding
is generally the practice in dry farm work, we were unable to do any-
thing in this field of experiment during 1911.
The precipitation during 1911 was as follows:

6 REPORT OF ELKO COUNTY DRY FARM

Precipitation
IEW aN We a I Se Sa Ree ea See 2.31 inches
M@DLUALY 2 2025 Sen Se ee eee ee eee nes ee 1.17 inches
Marche aa Sa ee en es os ek a Be ee eae 1.45 inches
PAST Teh Lee sere ie ee yr mS ent I os Ear ae a te 2.14 inches
II Saye acto eet a Re ce EES Se a SE aS oe ee eet ty eee ere 1.32 inches
June wes ft ee Y oe ee ie = ek Se ee ee eee .88 inches
Rita liy ee eet Sateen ee dR 2 Ter eS Ree A oe eee pyle See .02 inches
SAU UST 2 eo Se CS ee eee See eee .00 inches
Septemberc24222 22 St ah ACs 3 ee. Se ee eee ee ee ee eee .78 inches
October ie: = eas ste ee eae a ee eee peceyey AP ee oe .93 inches
November! 2-0. 2a er ee oy. 2 Se Se ene oh Ee eee .24 inches
December sae eee neers Se ea ee Se ee ee ee ee a .54 inches
EY Do ae) | A a a a Re a eo A ees Sree pee ett ace AUN We eS ER A ee REE, eS clea sai 11.78 inches

This record shows that the largest part of the precipitation occurred
during the first five months of the year, furnishing a particularly good
condition for spring germination. This was desirable where the ground
had not been summer fallowed during the previous year. On the other
hand, the small amount of precipitation after the second of June resulted
in a severe test of the drought-resistant qualities of the crops during the
summer months. Little rain fell during June, July, August, and Sep-
tember. Not until September 30 and October 1, when 0.98 inches fell,
was there a rain to amount to much, and then it’ was too late to be of
much use.

Crops
Following is a report of the spring-sown crops of 1911:
White Australian wheat (90 pounds per acre) _____________________. 11.70 bushels per acre
White Australian wheat (45 pounds per acre) ______________________ 11.03 bushels per acre
Sixty-Dayioatsi(64 poundsiperacre) oe. ee ee ee 29.00 bushels per acre
Sixty-Day/oats:(40ipoundsiperiacre) ps. 22 2s ee ee 29.50 bushels per acre
Kubanka wheat (90 pounds per acre) ______________________________ 14.90 bushels per acre
Kubanka wheat (45 pounds per acre) ______________________________ 14.10 bushels per acre
Minnisoatsi(64poundsiper acre) aaa = ieee ae ne 27.70 bushels per acre
Mainnisioats! (40;pound siperacre) sss see ae eae ee eee 23.70 bushels per acre
Beardless barley (90 pounds per acre) ______________________________ 27.70 bushels per acre
Beardless barley (60 pounds per acre) BS net i ge eke San He Oh 4 a A 24.20 bushels per acre
Sprinesrvel(S4i pounds peracre)isss =) eee oe nes ee 13.40 bushels per acre
Sprinesrye (42;po1mdsiperacre) es sae eee ee ee 11.40 bushels per acre

In every instance but one heavier seeding resulted in the greater yield.
Of course there is a wide difference in the amounts used and it may be
that some intermediate quantity of seed per acre would do better than
either. It must also be stated that the more heavily seeded plots were
subjected to more cultivation, resulting in loss of plants, it is true, but
also in conservation of soil moisture.

A number of varieties, principally root crops, were planted in soil too
dry, to secure germination in some cases, and in others to secure favor-
able growth. They were:

Parsnip—White Lisbon. : Millet—F oxtail.
Parsnip—Improved Long Smooth. Millet—Broomecorn.
Carrot—Large White Belgian. Millet—Barnyard.
Carrot—Improved Long Orange. Millet—Pearl.
Carrot—New Long Lemon Stump. White Kaffir Corn.
Beet— Blood Turnip. Standard Broom Corn.
Beet—Imperial Sugar. Dwarf Broom Corn.
Beet—Klein Wanzleben. Dhoura Broom Corn.
Mangel—Gatepost. Yellow Milo Maize.

Mangel—Jumbo.

REPORT OF ELKO COUNTY DRY FARM 7

Australian White Flint corn and Swadley corn were eaten down by
rabbits.

Three varieties of onions, New Commercial, White Welsh, and White
Bartletta, came along fairly well. However, of the intertilled crops only
potatoes and peas proved satisfactory. Seven varieties of potatoes were
tested, yielding in the order given:

IGerless fre Bpti3 rs) ey ht ee ee ee 5 ne ses ROR OR eee so 84.21 bushels per acre
EST Ese reek oe es Se ee ON ee a a. eee eee 81.83 bushels per acre
Dalmenys Ghallenwe = 55 ee eo Rae ee aes aeons 78.60 bushels per acre
REACH DIO Ween ee ne ee ee ee tee eee Se ea. Pee Soe 72.05 bushels per acre
Mammoth earls: £202 kbet yt 2) PES Sah SORE oe ee eee 71.11 bushels per acre
IDE Wa his late be oe eee eee eee Oe ee ee eure ee sy er me SS 8 59.90 bushels per acre
IBINeRVtCtOnes 25S 2s oe en Eo Oe ee ee 54.27 bushels per acre

Two varieties of peas were tested and yielded as follows:
GoldenkVine Hield=s-.2)— 25 = - Spe Bet ees ee ee eee 14.8 bushels per acre
iGreemuCanad a bield=.— 2-0 22 ob ee ee ee ee 17.8 bushels per acre
Fall Seeding
The area to be fall seeded had not been summer fallowed, as other
work was pressing; new ground had to be cleared, fencing and building
demanded attention and a war must be maintained against the small
animals. Our seeding took place in September and all the seed was
planted by October 1. All was planted at a depth of from five to six
inches, the reason being that it appeared necessary to plant at that depth
to reach moisture and secure germination. The following grains were
sown:
Wheat—Turkey Red, 1656, 1559, White Australian.
Emmer—Black Winter.
Spelt.
Einkorn.
Oats—Winter Turf.
Rye—No. 1, No. 13.
Barley—Tennessee Winter.
Comment upon the results obtained and upon the work done in 1911
will be found later in conjunction with remarks upon the experiences of
O12,
tes REVIEW FOR 1912
In 1912 the precipitation for the year was as follows:

Precipitation
DEE eh one ee anne. mk 8 nt See Sere OA Tae 1.21 inches
De DrUary 3 = oo eee Se ee sibs Ss Se ee le ee = ae a ee ee ae .49 inches
WET 67e) je See ait Se ee ee eee Le ot Re a eee Le 2.63 inches
PANIC Res 2 SOS So A ee Boe CE eae ee ee ee oe ok Seen St AD inches
WEN: 23: ee Soe eee ee eee Oe ae See ae Se eee Ae ads hee ana ld 1.47 inches
iki CSS eee eee ae aes See COR er re 8 a oe ESTE ee Oe <P oe Ss a .75 inches
FU Ae 5 ec Ie rene eats Be EEE, sa ee ee Bees Be yen « eel ee ol oS 1.39 inches
UNin CORTES eens pee See, Sh eae Eee Bes oe ee ee ee Sb eens ee ee .22 inches
NSH LeIM DeRose tor sae tat tee ae Bie, eae ee eee oe yee eee .00 inches
October nase See ee oe ee Set ee 2) oe ls 3.00 inches
IWOWeniber 22-2 ene ae Re oe ooo ee ee 1.02 inches
December (10th) ___._- -- SO Re he ate Sane eee cane est En et .06 inches
itv) Ae Sa a ee Pe ee ee Be ery el es sae es en ee oe 15.69 inches

As in 1911 the first five months furnished a large part of the total pre-
cipitation but the preponderance was not nearly so great as in the year
previous. It is well that we call attention to certain conditions favorable

8 REPORT OF ELKO COUNTY DRY FARM

to spring crops. The autumn precipitation in 1911 had been scanty.
Up to April 1 the total precipitation for 1912 was 4.33 inches, not heavy
it is true, but enough to secure good spring germination. In April we
had the heavy precipitation of 3.45 inches, included in which were three
rains of about one-half inch each. Following this, May gave us an
encouraging amount of precipitation including three good rains. In
June the fall was less, but July gave an unusual amount of rain for that
time of the year. Coming as it did on July 18, the heavy rain of 1.2
inches furnished a condition favorable to complete maturity. In con-
clusion, 1912 handed down another favor in the unusual precipitation of
October and November, which, as we had secured an early fall seeding,
gave us a strong fall growth.

Spring-Sown Crops

This seed was planted on land that had not been summer fallowed
during the past year. However, the winter precipitation gave us suf-
ficient moisture for spring germination, as indicated in the previous sub- ~
division. The spring crops gave splendid results as will be seen in the
following detailed report.

1. Following isa list of crops which made a good start, and promised
well, but which were practically destroyed by the frost of September 5:

Early Amber Sugar Cane.

White Kaffir Corn.

Broom Corn—Evergreen.

Broom Corn—Dwart.

Broom Corn—Standard.

Field Corn—Swadley.

Field Corn—Imp. Leaming.

Field Corn—Pride of the North.
Field Corn—Australian White Flint.
Field Corn—Colorade Yellow Dent.

Crops of this class constitute more or less of a gamble in this region
of early frosts. The chief hope is in securing early varieties and, if pos-
sible, developing from these some early and hardy strains. For the silo
we see no reason why corn should not be grown profitably, necessitating
particularly early cutting, but for grain production the hope lies in future
development. Asan off-hand suggestion we would recommend the earliest
Flints for most promising experiment.

In this class the following secured a poor stand and made poor growth;
this year would not indicate any durability on the part of these crops.
They were: Brown Dhoura, Jerusalem Corn, Red Kaffir Corn, Shallu.

2. We had good success with millets. The stand was good as a
rule, the growth was strong and the yield, considering the percentage
of seed, was satisfactory. The millets were sown in rows, admitting of
cultivation, a condition scarcely imperative on summer-fallowed ground. ,
The comparative yields given below are not always indicative of com-
parative value from a feed standpoint. However, the hardiness, the
rapid growth, and the high food-value of the millets should make almost
all of the varieties profitable. This year the sample sown as Barnyard
millet more than doubled most of the others in yield. Following is the
report in detail:

SSUIp[Ing puv waeg AIq JO MIA [eIOMEH

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“eng Anca mre - 9 tn
sei ig

M Pata a ibe aa
obi RR ee ge a naan, he thc ld
Re ae Eee a eercpeonthet

Le = ST Ee ES

et

Turkey Red Wheat, 23 Bushels per Acre

Canada Field Peas

The two rows of_Flax on the left from seed grown on the Elko Dry Farm the
previous year. The next two rows from the same parent seed of the two
rows on the left. Showing the advantage of planting seed grown under
dry farm conditions.

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REPORT OF ELKO COUNTY DRY FARM 9

Wiss aeirekngs [ees Sees oe eee er Le ae eee eee ee 7,514 pounds hay per acre
Niet broom Corn! - 222.225 2 20. 2 4,984 pounds hay per acre
MUN CTR CONINOD == = Sasa aet Sane Se ee oe ee eS 3,600 pounds hay per acre
Millet Goldene eres se Sw eee ee 3,600 pounds hay per acre
Malet ol Delian eae tarot ak aes os eee ee 3,200 pounds hay per acre
VU T EU ar aT Se Solan ee, So es oe le 3,200 pounds hay per acre
1 BU LSy 3 ROR GET ee se ae a ee ee ee Se ee ee Good yield, no definite record
UNTIL S YSIS Woyep) re a Sa ie IB ded oR Nas A lk pel es le See ea ed Splendid yield, saved for seed
MillGt I apanese ek a Rake eee Be a Te ee Good stand, but growth poor
INI ete Case eera ie ha oe sous Se ye eee 0 Seed did not germinate

(GreemCanads Held! int es wee SLE, ee. Soe ee 17.2 bushels per acre
(GOCE TTR V AIT Cer ewe ee, es LA Oe ee ee i 14.3 bushels per acre
BramltesthoneA ll rarden)) 29s Seo = ek ol ge ee 14 pounds from 246-foot row
STATA NES VIG el nw REL See BE Excellent stand; no definite report as to yield
Cowen eas VWnipoorwill=-22Ge>- 5 = yt. 5 ee re Seed did not germinate
IBenielly Stampa ayeteia ee Ree ae eA ge Se es a Rays Eee es re eS Seed did not germinate

In a country where hogs are raised on alfalfa pasture the necessity for
some crop, furnishing food for good finish ration, is apparent. Noth-
ing better than field peas can be found, as pea-fed pork is more and
more being sold at a substantial premium. Such being the case it is
encouraging to find that hardy varieties of field peas can be grown with
profit, by dry farming, in Nevada.

Spring vetch and winter vetch form valuable constituents for forage
crops. A profitable combination is winter vetch and winter rye sown
for green feed the following season.

Cow peas and Soja beans have proven valuable crops in certain coun-
tries. Our failure was due to poor seed, probably old.

4. Carrots, parsnips, onions, and potatoes:

rarot a Newalvonpwuemons == 3-4. seat ee eee ee eae 25,960 pounds per acre
Carrot improved. WonmiOrange 3°20. _5. = ee es cee ee 13,865 pounds per acre
Bars Sa Wi hibenEISDONe ss o22 sol Skee ee a TEL eee 6,654 pounds per acre
DrniUicms sr Zctakere=— sae 2228 oe Ret ee Bee es 7 ee Left in ground until next year
ora. Ualmeny Ohallengver: =. 9-22) fee eee 154.5 bushels per acre
IE Dyy OTB ine oy a ok eee SES Ee Oe Oe ee Pe ee ee 149.9 bushels per acre
ort OOlOradG hearlic ==. < So ot es See ee 128.1 bushels per acre
Porte. VWrammothicearls: so. 0) 22-0) ie ee ee eee eee 127.4 bushels per acre
EGET war] BEC ee Se re es A Ce ee, eee cere es ere 119.6 bushels per acre
EAS Ded es EM LUD VAL CGO TE ee eae a I ee ee 116.2 bushels per acre
Le ential Deid hie Raat Ne ee See che My Dp pce ve eo SAT 115.4 bushels per acre

The potatoes were planted in rows three feet apart. In the row the
hills stood two feet apart. The method of planting was by spade—a
spade was thrust about 8 inches into the soil; by bending the spade
over without withdrawing it opportunity was given to drop in the pota-
toes. When the spade was withdrawn the seed lay in moist soil at a
proper depth. The increase in yield for 1912 was probably due to
increase in precipitation and possibly to better conditions of the soil.
Potatoes planted in soil previously summer fallowed, thus conserving
moisture, should do better.

The quality of these potatoes, while varying with the variety, was uni-
formly excellent. In size the potatoes were what we may call “of good
cooking size” not so large as those grown under irrigation, but for all
practical purposes the size and quality left room for little fault-finding.

5. The following crops came up and made good promise but were
eaten down by rabbits:

10 REPORT OF ELKO COUNTY DRY FARM

Clover—White Dutch Fancy. Alfalfa—Provence.

Clover— Mammoth Sapling. Alfalfa—Kansas.
Clover—Alsike. Alfalfa— Western.
Clover—White Bokhara. Alfalfa—Grimm.
Clover—Red. Alfalfa—Turkestan.

Alfalfa—Sand Lucerne.

The following were sown, but the seed did not germinate:

Clover—Japan. Grass— Orchard.
Clover—Burr. Grass—Red Top.
Clover—Esparsetto. Grass—Awnless Brome.

Clover—Crimson.

The failure of these to germinate must have been due to lack of mois-
ture, as it is not likely that all the seed was bad. The rabbits furnish a
constant menace to small plots of young clover.

6. Wheat, oats, barley, and flax:

Wiheat.-Bluels temusse eae eee ee ee 25.2 bushels per acre, 60.3 pounds per bushel
Wheat—Pedigréed Defiance________________- 21.5 bushels per acre, 62.5 pounds per bushel
Wiheat—Kulbankaee ss sar eee ae ee ee 17.2 bushels per acre, 63.7 pounds per bushel
Osats=- SEG Va) aye ae ee ee ae ee ee a ee eee 27.3 pounds per bushel
Oats Minnisteesa sae 25 ay eee 2 el Se ee Ee eee ee ee 21.2 pounds per bushel
ROAST = pS Bet ge PR eS a he Se ek ee ee Ee er al be 12.2 pounds per bushel
Barley-—Beardless.< sn ea 5 ee 22.9 bushels per acre, 48 pounds per bushel
lax ciate o Sy east el ea aay ot AAS EE Ne Ae Excellent stand, first-class seed

Of the Defiance wheat much good can be said. Not only was the
stand uniform and the growth vigorous, but the plants indicated quality;
the heads were long, spikelets well filled, and the plants many-stooled.
The grain when threshed bore out the promise in the field. It was of
a light and transparent amber, of good size, uniform and pronounced by
millers to be of the highest flour producing type. It is the intention to
multiply this grain. Kubanka was a very close second; but Blue Stem,
while not poor, did not show the quality of the other two.

The Beardless barley was of excellent quality and yielded well. Exam-
ined in the sack the oats do not impress one very favorably, being light
and apparently of large hull percentage.

The flax gave good returns, the seed being of the best quality. It may
prove a paying crop.

Fall-Sown Crops

Of these crops only three gave yields:

IWiheat.— Mir keystvec pets stare ey ee 23.2 bushels per acre, 64.1 pounds per bushel
UY. C= INO; les Sate te ans, BES ves ae 11.1 bushels per acre, 64.1 pounds per bushel
Rve= No sels pipe see ace a pied eel ee 11.0 bushels per acre, 64.1 pounds per bushel

The following gave poor returns, the stand being decidedly thin:

Oats— Winter Turf. Barley—Tennessee Winter.
Wheat—1656. Emmer—Black Winter.
Wheat—1559. Spelt.

Wheat—White Australian. Einkorn.

The consideration of this extensive failure of the crop sown in the fall
of 1911 leads to some interesting possibilities. Probably we had better
consider them separately:

(a) It will be remembered that the precipitation during the summer
of 1911 was light, and that, while there was a fair amount during the
winter of 1911, there had been no summer fallow to conserve this mois-
ture. Consequently the seed sown that fall must have fallen in dry places;

REPORT OF ELKO COUNTY DRY FARM bik

nor could there have been much soil moisture below to be brought up by
packing.

(b) At the Dry Farm Congress at Lethbridge it was the consensus of
opinion that grain should not be planted at a greater depth than three
inches. Below that was styled as below the normal growth level. The
autumn sown grain we are discussing was planted at from five to six
inches. This is another possible cause of failure.

(c) From August 15 to September 1 is about the best time to sow fall
crops. The crop of the fall of 1911 was later than this, some of it much
later. Even if germination did take place it was too late to secure the
best stand to face the hardships of an Elko winter.

We feel that the experience was a good one in that it has demon-
strated conclusively the necessity for conservation of soil moisture, for
early sowing, and for sowing at a normal depth. It may be stated that
little of the grain actually appeared above ground so that we may conclude
that much of it failed to germinate. <A little may have failed to winter
over. Probably a combination of the three conditions caused the crop
failure.

The Turkey Red winter wheat was of outstanding quality showing
marked hardness and fine color.

Fall Seeding

1. Small quantities of alfalfa seed, known to have been produced
under adverse conditions, were sown. This seed did not come up. It
should be stated that this was for demonstration purposes and to decide
the question as to fall seeding of alfalfa under dry-farm conditions. The
eight samples were from plants as hardy as could be found but the seed
did not respond to fall planting—the explantion is probably that suf-
ficient moisture was not available.

2. Wheats were sown under a variety of conditions:

(a) Turkey Red—Sown August 27, in duplicate plots; sown 30, 45,
60, 75 and 90 pounds per acre. Up September 9.

(b) Turkey Red—Dry-farm seed; duplicate plots as in (a).

(ec) Turkey Red—Dry-farm seed; 5 acres, 45 pounds per acre; sown
September 5. Up September 16.

(d) Turkey Red—Not dry-farm seed; % acre, 45 pounds to acre.

(e) Kubanka—Duplicate plots; sown 30, 45 and 60 pounds per
acre. Up September 9.

(f) Kubanka—Duplicate plots; sown 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 pounds
per acre.

(g) White Australian—Duplicate plots; sown 30 and 45 pounds. Up
September 5.

(h) White Australian—Dry farm seed; duplicate plots, sown 45, 60
and 75 pounds per acre.

(i) Silver King—Duplicate plots; sown 30, 45 and 60 pounds per
acre. Up September 13.

(j) Plots of Australian Winter wheats were sown on September 13.
These have made a very favorable fall growth. The varieties
were Bobs, Yandilla King, Cedar, and Federation.

(k) Four varieties of winter wheats, Eastern seed, were sown on Sep-
tember 26. - These were Turkey Red, Michigan Amber, Khar-
kov, and Dawson’s Golden Chaff. The seeding was pretty late,
but they may come ahead notwithstanding.

12 REPORT OF ELKO COUNTY DRY FARM
3. Tests similar to those in 2 were made with other grains.

(a) Tennessee Winter Barley—Duplicate plots; sown 30, 45, 60, 75,
and 90 pounds per acre. Up September 9.

(b) Tennessee Winter Barley—Dry-farm seed; duplicate plots; sown
72, 96, and 108 pounds per acre.

(c) Rye No. 1—Duplicate plots; sown 42 and 56 pounds per acre;
sown August 27. Up September 2.

(d) Rye No. 3—Duplicate plots; sown 42 and 56 pounds per acre;
sown August 27. Up September 2.

(e) Rye and Winter Vetch—Duplicate plots; sown 45 and 90 pounds

per acre.

(f) Red Rust Proof Oats—Duplicate plots; sown 30, 45, and 60 pounds
per acre.

(g) Emmer, Spelt, Einkorn—Duplicate plots; sown 45 pounds per
acre.

The most of this fall seeding has been done in duplicate. A uniform
depth of three inches has been maintained in seeding. In some cases
the crop is known to be a spring one and the change is by way of experi-
ment, notably in the case of Kubanka wheat. It will be noted that the
seeding was practically all before September 15. A visit in the early fall
showed a splendid autumn stand and later reports have recorded good
progress. Conditions being normal, the crop sown in the fall of 1912
should make a satisfactory showing in 19138.

COMMENT

1. The outstanding feature of the dry-farm produce from the Nevada
State Dry Farm has been extra quality. Samples of the grain, in sheaf
and threshed, have been sent to different places, and in all cases their
quality has excited much favorable comment. Yields may not be as
bulky as under irrigation conditions, but quality is the factor that more
than redeems lack of yield. It cannot but have great influence on com-
mercial value of yield.

2. The work at Elko has been cue hampered by squirrels, rabbits
and birds. In one year (1911) over 2,000 ground squirrels were trapped
and killed. It has been recorded that the rabbits keep the clover plots
cropped to the ground. The birds rob the sheaves of grain and so
materially reduce the yield, a bitter disappointment to the interested
experimenter.

3. The crying need of the station is for a separator outfit. The
plots mature irregularly and should be threshed as soon as they are
mature, in order to reduce losses to a minimum. Under present condi-
tions the produce from each plot is stacked separately to await the arri-
val of a large custom thresher. During the long wait the winds blow
the loose straw and heads about and mix them up, and the conscien-
tious experimenter must remove from three to six inches of debris from
between the stacks at time of threshing. This reduces the yield report,
already affected by inroads of the birds; besides there is always the
danger of mixing varieties, to avoid which is the first commandment to
the field husbandman.

CULTURAL METHODS
Clearing the Land of Sagebrush

In the preparation of sagebrush land the most difficult and expensive

operation is that of removing the brush. When possible this is most

REPORT OF ELKO COUNTY DRY FARM 13

easily accomplished by burning. By this process it is possible to remove
the brush from several acres a day when the wind is favorable. When
done by hand one-half an acre a day is the average work of one man.
When the brush is not thick and does not grow very high, the ground
may be cleared sufficiently for plowing by railing the brush. This is a
rapid method of removing the brush, but does not prove satisfactory
where the brush is thick and high. The sagebrush grubbers or machines
give very good satisfaction when sufficient power can be applied; how-
ever, in the thick high brush they do not work well unless operated with
an engine.

At Elko after the nearly cleared land was plowed the sagebrush roots
were removed immediately—that is, the same day—with spring plowing,
since it was impossible to properly pack the soil that contained these roots.
For this purpose the new alfalfa cultivator proved a very useful imple-
ment, especially with large roots. Where the roots were small and
easily separated from the soil, the common smoothing-harrow or hay-
rake was used. Fall-plowed ground that was cleared of roots was left in
the rough condition. In the spring the disk harrow will be used as soon
as the ground can be worked, and this followed immediately by the

smoothing harrow.
Plowing

The newly cleared ground was plowed to a depth of eight or ten inches.
This brought all sagebrush roots to the surface and also provided a reser-
voir deep enough to catch all of the rainfall. Deep plowing is one of
the most essential factors in preparing the seed-bed, and generally the
one that is neglected by the farmer. Without a deep seed-bed it is diffi-
cult to store all of the water from the rain and snow.

In this State it is seldom possible to plow in early fall, and if not done
in October, November, or December, after the first heavy rains, it must be
postponed until early spring. The late fall plowing is strongly recom-
mended since the greater portion of the precipitation comes during the
winter months, and in a rough condition the plowed ground is able to
eatch practically all of the rainfall.

Plowing for Summer Fallow

When the land is plowed in the spring for summer fallow, no more
ground was plowed in a day than could be disked, packed, and harrowed
the same day. Very little moisture can be depended upon during the
summer and early fall, and every possible precaution must be taken to
retain as much moisture as possible for starting the fall-seeded crop. The
summer-fallowed land at the station which is to be used for spring grains
was plowed up again in the fall in order to catch all of the winter rain-
fall, and in the spring it will be worked down in suitable condition for

seeding. Leveling

An important point, not often recognized by dry-farmers, is the
advisability, we might say the necessity, of leveling small inequalities in
the surface of the field, so that the harrow in passing over may be able
to scratch the entire surface and smooth over every square inch of the
field. An ordinary leveler or drag, such a one as would be used under
irrigation conditions for leveling purposes, will meet all requirements.

;: Time of Seeding

The time of seeding spring grains in this State will vary somewhat
with the year and the locality. With an early spring the seeding may

14 REPORT OF ELKO COUNTY DRY FARM

be done some time in March, but it should never be postponed until
after the middle of April, since grain planted after this period is apt to
be checked in growth by drouth before the roots are well established in the
soil. It is a general plan to have all grain seeded by the first of April.
The time to sow fall grain will vary slightly with the locality, but the
best results are obtained when the grain is sown before September 15.

Method of Seeding

The single-disk drill is the implement used for seeding. It distributes
the grain uniformly at a uniform depth and has a greater penetration
than the double-disk drill or the shoe drills.

Cultivation

Considerable cultivation is necessary for either spring or winter grains
grown in this State. This is especially important during the early growth
of thecrop. The spring grains grown at the farm were given six cultiva-
tions with the smoothing harrow. Two of these cultivations were after
moderately heavy rains and the others followed light rainfalls, each of
which was sufficient to form a crust on the surface. The last cultivation
was given when the plants were from ten to twelve inches high. Of
course, some of the grain was torn out and some almost flattened to the
ground, but the latter straightened up perfectly in a few days with little or
no injury. Thorough cultivation more than compensates for the small
amount of moisture removed by the young plants that are pulled out in
cultivating. There is no question but that flattening grain that is ten to
twelve inches high destroys some of the plants, but this can be overcome
by the use of a smoothing cultivator instead of the common smoothing
harrow. This implement is so constructed that it will not bend the grain
when cultivated.

Alternate Cropping and Fallowing

Since the annual rainfall in most sections of the State is relatively
small, it seems possible to grow crops on a given field only on alternate
years, fallowing the ground when it is not cropped. Land that is fal-
lowed must be kept free from weeds, for if allowed to grow they exhaust
the soil of practically as much moisture as a grain crop, and in this way
the fallow is not effective. It is a difficult task to keep some of the
newly broken sagebrush land free from the tar-weed. This weed grows
from six to twenty-four inches high, spreads by means of underground
stems, and it is thus very difficult to completely eradicate. New plants
shoot up from the underground stems within a short time after they
have been cut off near the surface of the ground. Their roots penetrate
the soil to a great depth and are thus able to keep the plants supplied
with moisture. The best means of removing the tar-weed is by careful
and continuous cultivation. This is probably best accomplished by a
knife weeder, which consists of a series of horizontal knives that run
beneath the surface of the ground and cut the roots without bringing
any moist soil to the surface.

ORCHARD

The young orchard, which had almost been annihilated by cattle at
the time of the accession of the property, has, as a result of care and
pruning, made very satisfactory growth. The past season Ben Davis and
Yellow Transparent apple trees bore fruit of high quality for the varieties.
Bartlett pears were in bearing and two trees each of Green Gage plums
and cherries were loaded with fruit, the plums being of the finest quality.

REPORT OF ELKO COUNTY DRY FARM 15

Other Trees

Seed of White Pine, Southern Pine, Northern Pitch Pine, Tamarack
‘Pine, Austrian Pine, Island Pine, Pitch Pine, and Sugar Pine were
planted. Of these varieties some of the Island Pine, Austrian Pine, and
Pitch Pine germinated and made a growth of four to six inches.

ECHOES FROM THE DRY FARM CONGRESS AT LETHBRIDGE, 1912
Crops

Turkey Red seems to be the favorite winter wheat for dry-farming. It
should be sown on summer-fallowed land, three pecks to the acre. Of
the spring wheat, Durum type succeeds best and may be sown on fallow
of the previous year, four pecks to the acre. Other early spring varieties
do well when once established. Winter rye is a pretty sure crop. Sow
five or six pecks to the acre. The following quantities of other grains
may be sown: Spelt, five pecks; oats, four pecks; flax, two pecks; peas,
five pecks; alfalfa, six pounds. Whenever practicable, drill sowing should

be followed.
Cultivation

The aim should be to break the sod when it has the largest amount of
moisture in it, say up to June 1. It may then be broken deeply and
with a minimum of power. Breaking when the soil is dry calls for
increase in the power used and generally causes a decrease in production.
Besides there is smaller chance of sod decay. Plowing should be at least
six inches deep, the succeeding plowings being a little deeper. Depth
varies in different areas, but the greatest danger lies in plowing too shal-
low. After plowing one cannot have too much surface cultivation of the
fallow land to keep down weeds and hold the moisture. Harrow the
ground quickly after plowing and after every considerable rain. When
the next spring opens, get on the ground early and harrow to prevent
the loss of moisture. There is little gain from using a packer on fall-
cultivated land. This treatment does not tend to catch the maximum
of water and hold it, and in almost every case fall and winter precipita-
tion will take care of the packing end of the problem.

Under dry-farm conditions the crop should be harrowed at least
twice between sprouting and harvesting of the grain, the first just after
the grain begins to show, unless in the case of alfalfa or flax, when the
young plants should be a few inches high.

Rotation

This seems to be largely in the experimental stage and the rules vary
with the amount of. precipitation. Summer fallow has the first place,
followed by winter wheat or other winter crop. It is then possible, by
disking alone, to follow this crop by a crop of flax. One grain crop
should not, as a rule, follow another grain crop immediately. The fre-
quency of fallowing will be determined by the amount of precipitation
available, and the necessity for weed eradication. There should be a
definite aim to build up the humus content of the soil.

Stock
Many think that dry farming should include stock raising. This
means that much of what is taken from the soil can be returned to it
and the soil products utilized right on the farm. One experiment is
the growth of soiling crops for stock maintenance on the dry farm. The
manipulation of manure from the stock is also an important question.

16 REPORT OF ELKO COUNTY DRY FARM

Seed

It was admitted by all that the seed grown under dry-farm conditio
was of the best quality and was suitable for seed purposes when carr
to more humid countries. Also the seed thus grown was bound to be
free from weeds, due to the cultivation necessarily practiced. Much is
still problematical as to the best method of growing alfalfa in subhumid

climates.
IMPORTANCE TO NEVADA

No State, no province should be as vitally interested as Nevada in the
problem of dry-farming. Nevada has a large percentage of her tillable

advisable, without doubt, that prospective settlers on dry-farm areas”
should proceed with caution and that they should be careful about —
accepting too sweeping statements; but this only goes to prove the neces-
sity for more light for an intelligent investigation of the State’s possi-
bilities. Given that the farmer is sure of the feasibility of a certain
prospect, it is his duty to study the latest methods of soil culture, and
it is the duty of the State to help him. Nor is soil culture the only
thing—a leading proposition is to know the best varieties to sow, and —
where to get these varieties. i

AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT DRY FARM, ELKO, NEVADA
Disbursements for 1911

Salary ooblman, foreman: 2 eh 2 ee ee See as ne ee a $1, 200.00
Wages: extrashelp\ ise dots ool ee eet | Se eee 511.00
Bosardtorihel pres onee es ed A 2 ee Se ee 310.90
Boardiof Control; salary for 9 months: e822 =e aes ee eee ee 180.00
ieee ee a ee SN ee Ge ESS we RE i eh. 60.26
Wires building telephone lines: 2-2)". = ee ee eee 10.98
Weather instruments __________________ 2a p SLs ee eR a Be eee 11.93
RSUTEVIG VN pie eo i ka as Sk pe ae cnc aane See oe ee ee 19.00
Melephnoney 5225 eek ea DIR Be a AR ae oe Oe be re on eee 23.15
Plonsesi()p sacs tas ds Eee ee ES oa BO ees Sees ee eee 700.00
arn esse = bon ae ee ee ae pee 114.40
(Wow BD) ees Pe BS iy ee 2 eas hs ses ae ee ee cee Fe eee 150.00
Implements 22° oe 20 oie ee Se es ee eee 127.50
Incidentalthardware 2220525202000 pes ee eens oe ie ses EEE eee 78.25
areshingew Ol): crops 2222 we ee ea ee 49.65
Merchandise, Reinhard Company______________ 25.92
New barn (40x60 with basement) ____________ 2,237.06
New machine shed (20x60, shop 10x12) 366.25
Postsitonmence.20 24. hs hs. 2 od 2 ed a SE Eee eee 62.50
Ream and auto hire tor. 1910s bo. 6 Ph oes i et ee ie eee eg 108.00
May 45: 915 pounds,2 228 22 SS eee ee ee 275.49
Oats, 16:510jipounds?..2 os 2-2 Oe eee 272.41
mraveling expensesu(G: H.Drue) 2222 2 ee a ee ee 64.88
Stage, hauling packages, R. Streeter_________ gion ag ddie - 17 bE fe eee 7.00
Statlonenye c= 2 = on 2 SoS Oe oO ee ae Oe ae ee Le eee 15.05
SMithing eet le 4s We seb oe Lh. od eC eR ee ee 32.65
Old bill From 1910 Niitah implement Company. se te een ee ae 122.70

Disbursements for 1912

Salary, W. Sohlman, foreman $1,200.00
Wares hired thelprs 4030 = sain) ee Uae 597.35
Board of help 323 .00
Seedst s.20) =e 2 106.72
Hay for farm 301.75
Travel, livery hire___ 158.80
Implements, ete 313.70
iHayiand ‘eran === 222 - hone ee ee eee 221.67
Smithing a2 es eT a AS ES De aia eee aes evant ne 45.00
Melephone=— 2s ssc. 2 dO os ee Oe Re eee eee 34.05
Stare treicht.2- 5 25-00 We ee oe ee 5 16.85
hreshing crop of 1919.03.25 Jb ee Ee a ee ee 129.75
Hxpensesiof Board! ot Control 222-22) ee eee eee 240.00
Oneltesm so 4 eee ee eo ae oe ee a es ee 504.00