Historic, archived document Do not assume content reflects current scientific knowledge, policies, or practices. ) ie. ee ee Washington, D. C. July 31, 1924 FORAGE CROPS IN RELATION TO THE AGRICULTURE OF THE SEMI- ARID PORTION OF THE NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS.’ By R. A. Oakey and H. L. Westover, Agronomists, Office of Forage-Crop Investigations, Bureau of Plant Industry. CONTENTS. ; Page Page MA TROGUCLE ONE as tae Soot lo steser cae s oe be cniaee 1 | A summation of the possibilities of forage he restonid eine sass seen sees see oe = aoe 2 PLOGUCHIOMES oo aaj aee ee aera are ete 46 1B ISRO) EA ics ice re aes ea Sie era ae ae 2 | Ratio of forage crops to grain and the size of (CHITIN EI er Oana an Sods ace teR Eee 3 thevfarnmbunits a sescees: = sees ee eee eee ne 50 SS OUESE eee Neeser tia arctan eerste baw ais ce nS 10 | Possibilities of combining livestock produc- Nervi (uTraleneSOUTCESe see ee ne eee 12 tionhwithveraimifarmin cls se sees ee 51 Experiments with forage crops....-. See 17 | Economic conditions and the need for a Fodder and silage crops...........--:--- 18 change in the type of farming.............. 52 Hay and pasture crops. ...-...-..----.-- 2 Dei | eS ULIMLIN ALY: trrane piace wate ae ce a ee ay eee 52 MiscellaneOUSiCLODSssee eee ee ne 4 INTRODUCTION. The raising of livestock is generally considered essential to success- ful dry farming in regions where the production of cereals or other crop plants is uncertain. Where crop failures come frequently and sometimes successively for two or more years, some feature must be included in the farming system that will insure a more dependable income for the farmer. ‘The hazardous conditions under which crop production is being attempted in the drier parts of the northern Great Plains make livestock necessary not only to stabilize the income of the farmer but to provide for him a respectable living. The experience of the past five years has shown that grain farming alone will not do this. However, few, if any, sections of the northern Great Plains where dry farming is now practiced have a supply of native forage sufficient for livestock needs throughout the year. Forage crops must therefore be grown if the raising of livestock is to be successfully conducted. Each kind of livestock requires a different minimum quantity, but all are dependent to some degree upon harvested forage. . In this bulletin, the relation of cultivated forage crops to the agriculture of the northern part of the Great Plains region will be considered, with special reference to the need for harvested forage. 1 The writers wish to express their appreciation for data and help given. by the Bureau of Soils, by the Office of Dry-Land Agriculture Investigations of the Bureau of Plant Industry, and by the Bureau of Agricultural Economics. 82537°—24——1 2 “BULLETIN 1244, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, The forage crops that seem to offer the greatest possibilities for the region are also considered. The data and conclusions presented are for the most part drawn from carefully planned experiments conducted at various points in South Dakota, North Dakota, Mon- tana, and northeastern Wyoming. THE REGION DEFINED. The region under consideration includes northwestern Nebraska, the western two-thirds of South Dakota, that part of North Dakota which lies south and west of a line extending « gues este from Minot to Jamestown, eastern Wyoming, and the greater part of Montana (fig. 1).. The points at which most of the experimental data were collected are Sheridan, Wyo.; Ardmore, Newell, and Red- field, S. Dak.; Edgeley, Mandan, Hettinger, Williston, and Dick- inson, N. Dak.; and Moccasin and Havre, Mont. The conclusions relative to specific forage crops are more directly applicable to the 3 pe of the region aving conditions similar to those which obtain in the vicinity of these points. Red- | field, S. Dak., and Edgeley, N. Dak., are just outside the area discussed; but the data from these stations have been included because they give an idea of the climatic conditions and of the results that may be expected from Fic. 1.—Outline map, shoe py shaded anes the region consideredin the various forage crops in the eastern part of the region. Generally speaking, the precipitation is some- what higher along the eastern border of the area, and the forage-crop problems are by no means so difficult as they are in the western part of the region. Wiis Uj Ye Y YY HISTORY. The Territory of Dakota, designated as such in 1861, originally included Montana and Wyoming. Montana Territory was organ- ized in 1864 and Wyoming in 1868. Early in their settlement these Territories attracted stockmen because of the opportunities they af- forded for cattle raising. The establishment of western frontier out- posts by the Government, largely as a feature of its Indian admin- istration, and the discovery of gold in the Black Hills in 1874 aided materially in making the region available to stockmen. The exten- sion of the Northern Pacific Railway into western North Dakota in the early eighties and the Great Northern Railway a little later gave a great impetus to stock raising. Sie eonemaaia : FORAGE CROPS IN NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS. 8 From the days of the first rangers to the invasion of the dry-land farmers, the region was one of the most extensive ranges in the United States. The Belle Fourche country tributary to the Black Hills; the Missouri Valley in the Dakotas; the several areas of Bad Lands in Nebraska, Wyoming, the Dakotas and Montana; and the Missouri, Yellowstone, and Milk River Valleys and the Judith Basin in Montana were the big centers of range settlement. ~The history of the cattle industry in the Dakotas and Montana includes many economic romances, not the least interesting and im- portant of which was the effort of Marquis De Mores, in 1883, to ‘establish a packing industry in the Bad Lands of North Dakota at Medora, a point just reached at that time by the Northern Pacific Railway. A lone smokestack marks the remains of De Mores’ folly; but the project, though a failure in itself, contributed appreciably to the development of the country. Cattle raising increased steadily for some time afterward. The progress of grain farming westward from the Red River Valley was characterized by a succession of waves. The largest wave of homesteaders which invaded the last stand of the stockmen started in 1908. Many good pieces of range land were broken up for wheat and flax; but stock raising, although interfered with from the stand- point of old range practice, has continued to be one of the chief agricultural pursuits of that part of the northern Great Plains lying west of the ninety-eighth meridian. That small-grain farming has not been an unqualified success in much of this part of the region is shown by the crop records of the past five years, but what effect the results of these years will have on the agricultural development of the region can only be conjectured. CLIMATE. The annual precipitation of the northern Great Plains ranges from about 20 inches in the eastern part of the region to less than > 12 inches in the triangle section of north-central Montana. About three-fourths comes as rain during April to September, inclusive, and the region is therefore regarded as one of summer rainfall. In this Tespect it differs from the intermountain region. The dry farming problems and practices of the two regions, therefore, are somewhat ‘different, owing to the difference in the season of maximum precipi- tation. _ The extreme variability of the rainfall is the factor of greatest hazard in dry-farming operations. Seasons with a precipitation of ‘only about half the normal occur occasionally. Comparatively wet years and comparatively dry years singly or in series occur with no Tegularity, and there is no way of foretelling when they may be ex- ‘pected. Generally speaking, the irregularities are more frequent and ‘More extreme to the westward. During the growing season the ‘Yains are usually of short duration and more or less local. Single ‘downpours of rain sometimes exceed the average total precipitation Tor the month. On the other hand, most of the precipitation for the Season may occur in the form of a series of showers so light that they are of little benefit to the growing crops. 4 BULLETIN 1244, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. The northern Great Plains is a region of temperature extremes. — The temperatures during the long winters may reach a minimum beast; but the winds, which blow with considerable regularity, are discomforting to man and beast, especially during the winter, and may be destructive to crops durmg the summer, particularly when accompanied by high temperature. High winds during the growing season greatly increase evaporation from the soil and transpiration | from the plant. Were it not for the relatively high latitude of the region and the concomitant factors which produce what is commonly | known as an intensive growing season, the annual precipitation | would not be sufficient for cereal production except in limited local- | ities. | Frosts have been known to occur at the higher altitudes every. month of the year, but are rarein July. Early June and late August | frosts are not uncommon in much of the region. The average) length of the frost-free period ranges from 106 to 137 days at the. station given. Never a year passes that more or less damage is not done to growing crops in the northern Great Plains by ‘hail, but such damage is usually more or less local and in many cases is covered by insurance. | The chmatological data for Redfield, S. Dak., and Moccasin} and Havre, Mont., are given in detail in the following pages. These points have been chosen particularly because most of the) - forage-crop data have been obtained from experiments conducted | at or near these stations and also because they represent the climatic) extremes of the dry-farming section of the region. Table 1 gives the precipitation data at Redfield, S. Dak. The average annual precipitation for all years from 1898 to 1922 exclusive of the years 1912, 1913, and 1921 1s about 20.33 inches, while that for the last 10 years, exclusive of 1913 and 1921, is 21.1 inches, or} about three-fourths of an inch more. The average difference ing seasonal ? precipitation for the same periods is a little less than. | half an eH in favor of the longer period. About three-fourths of the total precipitation, or approximately 15 inches, occurs from™ April to September, inclusive. The greatest annual precipitation# (30.76 inches) was recorded in 1900, and the minimum (11.98 inches) in 1898. The highest and lowest seasonal precipitation occurred@ during the same years. 2The term ‘seasonal’? as used in this bulletin includes the months from April to September, in- clusive. [ Data in inches; T =trace; NR =no record.] FORAGE CROPS IN NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS. 5 TABLE 1.—Monthly, seasonal, and annual precipitation at Redfield, S. Dak., during the years 1913 to 1922, inclusive, with averages for certain years. | years are incomplete. Year. | Year. Jan. | Feb. | Mar. DIRE as eee 0.01 | 0.55 | NR | Brey Ae hye 30 | .54 | 0.29 IGE aa Seeeee 85 | 1.89 1 .99 Lae TUS Beer |e le 1G) ROA pecs eae He DaSi |e OO) 22 {GR een Nea Th Be Ss LLORES 52 220 FS: 0 USGS || eSO7/ W920 S5a-522.2- 265)— 221)) 2514 ‘DUI See eens O33 || tk .85 MO 22s ese a ss | .67 | 3.65 | 2.04 Average,! 1914 to Ins oe 2 ols \f Ao tlak |i ale Biri All years,? 1898 to 1h Pee -46 | .67)] 1.11 t Apr. | May.| June.| July.| Aug. | Sept. Oct. | Nov 1.23 | 2.89 | 1.68 | 3.45 | 0.66 | 0.62 | 0.39 | 0.60 5.22 | 2.84 | 6.72 | 1.17 | 1.67 | 3.12 | 1.00 | 0 2.13 | 2.87 | 3.58 | 4.86 | 1.89 | 2.02 | 1.82 | .28 1.11 | 5.13 | 3.56 | 2.01 | 5.19 | 1.42] .55| T 3.25 | 1.48 | 1.93 | 1.00] .79 | 1.97 | 0 0 2.17 | 3.59 | 2.56 | 1.68 | 2.77] .46| .20| 2.50 DISst QhOO, |4e70i|t Pozi air | ee aaa o> noes 3.00 | 4.35 | 4.60 | 3.73] 1.35 | .99| .80| .60 1.72 | 1.61] .19 | 4.47 | 3.08 | 6.05 | 1.64 | 1.11 2.60 | 4.44 | 2.671 .80] .13| .30| .40] 2.83 2.71 | 3.45 | 3.79 | 2.12 | 1.82 | 1.34 | .94 | 1.03 | 1.97 |°3.15 | 3.27 | 2:63 | 2.83 | 1.77 | 1.30] .65 longest 172 days, in 1922. | 1 The year 1921 is not included in computing the averages, as data are not complete. 2The years 1912, 1913, and 1921 have not been included in computing the averages, as data for these [Data from the records of the United States Weather Bureau.] Last in spring. First in fall. | Frost- free period. | T.| Dec. Sea- sonal, Apr. |Total. _ Table 2 gives the dates of the last frost in the spring and the first in the fall at Redfield, S. Dak. June frosts are rare, only three being reported during the ‘past 25 years. recorded on June 21 and the earliest autumn frost on September 9. The shortest frost-free period reported is 83 days, in 1902, and the The average for all years is 136 days. The latest spring frost was _Tasie 2.—Dates of killing frost, the last in spring and first in fall, with frost-free period at Redfield, S. Dak., in each year from 1898 to 1922, inclusive. Last in Year spring. LOU ae eae eee May 16 IC Bo eee Sa Same et eee May 6 ONG ee aes ae May 14 LO piece pee Seas SS es May 19 TIM ase 5 See em Spe eae May 3 ONTOS A a ae May 2 GTS pee eee een oo Ge May 13 NOLO PA IEE. eee ih aoe May 9 1a See eee anee Apr. 28 LOD [sae ee ee May 15 L922 are Ess at apse Apr. 19 AVAGO Sadan aS ASe May 14 The mean seasonal temperature for all years at Redfield was 61.4° _F. The averages for the various months during the growing season for the years 1899 to 1922, inclusive, were as follows: April, 44.7°; May, 56.2°; June, 66.2°; July, 71.5°; August, 69.8°; and September, °60° F. July has the highest average and also holds the record for the -Maximum temperature of 110° F. in 1919. recorded is —44° F’, in January, 1912. The lowest temperature 6 BULLETIN 1244, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Table 3 gives the monthly, seasonal, and annual precipitation at Havre, Mont., for 1915 to 1922, inclusive, and the averages for the same period. The averages are also shown for the 43 years from 1880 to 1922 and the two shorter periods from 1916 to 1922 and from 1917 to 1922. The forage-crop experiments at Havre cover the years 1916 to 1922, inclusive. The average seasonal precipitation for this erlod (8.76 inches) and the average annual precipitation (11.72 inches) are about 1 ich and 14 inches less than the corresponding averages for the 43-year period. In 1916, however, the precipitation was abnormally high; and when this year is ealndeda the annual average for the years from 1917 to 1922 is about 3 inches and the seasonal average 2 inches less than the averages for the long period. About 75 per cent of the total precipitation occurs during the growing season. The greatest annual precipitation was 25.67 inches, in 1884, and the least 6.76 inches, in 1905. The average monthly evapora-_ tion * in inches during the past seven years was approximately as follows: April, 3.4; May, 5.8; June, 7; July, 8; August, 7.2; and September, 4.4; a seasonal average of nearly 36 inches.‘ This is a ratio of precipitation to evaporation of 1 to 4. TaBLE 3.—Monthly, seasonal, and annual precipitation at Havre, Mont., during y the years 1915 to 1922, with averages for certain years. ; [Data (in inches) from the records of the United States Weather Bureau and of the Biophysical Labora- tory of the Bureau of Plant Industry.] | Year. Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | Apr. | May. | June. July.) Aug. | Sept.| Oct. | Nov.| Dec. : I aaace cose 0. 67 | 0.44 | 0.10 | 0.24 | 1.95 | 3.35 | 3.17 | 0.94 | 2.05 | 0.42 | 0.12 | 0.77 LOGS aaeeeente= IIs 1055 |e oY 59 57 | 2.69 | 4.32 | 5.20 20 | 1.90 82 15 58 LOU er Sars ol} 20 04 86 42 | 1.59 43 70 | 5.33 38 | .08] 1.32 1h eae ae oes ae 75 | .25 40 44 08 | 1. 51 74 | 2.10 | ..64 | 1.17 42 05 ON) co Sk 38 }. .56} .50 31 | 1.09 | 1.99 19 60 | .67 48 56 23 1920 Fer steerer 880" SOF 40 | 1. TI SOS 20F Ss6rbe20r aeons Ol 30 AG2ISR neeietaciae 05; .06] 1.81 80 | 2.83 | 2.68 | 2.16 53 | 1.45 19 70 11 1922 325 Sete ae 19 76) .27 | 1.43 | 2.37.) .90') 1.90 92} .54 ll 3l 56 Average: 1915¢0 1922. .65| .38| .51| .80| 1.60|2.32]1.89| .91|1.62| .58| .29| .49 Crop years, 1916 to | 19220 eee alo) exe Ie Aor teyh lista ee rel ISA 91 | 1.55 60 32 45 1917t0 1922.) .46| .36| .57 92 | 1.36) 1.8L | 1.13} 1.02-) 1.50 56 35 43 43 years, 1880to O22 ese ot4)| 48S I5t th So Son| eO2a 2 72a eon de 20n | deenel GeO) OUT mean TasBLe 4.—Dates of killing frosts, the last in spring and the first in fall, with frost- free period at the Northern Montana Substation, Havre, Mont., in each year from 1910 to 1922, inclusive. [Data from the records of the United States Weather Bureau.] . ste, fe Frost- . er: Frost- Last in | First in , Lastin | First in Year. ae free Year. F 3 free | spring. fall. period. spring. fall. period. Days. Days. IDLO URES ote atten ae ae June 3] Aug. 25 SO. 0 O18 2 eh Seer eck a ceen June 3] Sept. 9 98 LOL Ie atae abe cee aeeee Apr. 30 | Aug. 27 119) || LOW Sec concede May 14 | Sept. 29 BDU terete enue eae tein May 13 | Sept. 15 TD LO 20 poke ole ee May’ « 4° |-: OO.c5. 3 LOLS eo eee eee eee May 20 | Sept. 11 i | el At ae ea gee a os ee May 3] Sept. 11 EE: Ree ers ec aearic May 13] Oct. 12 152: ||, 1928-02. 6 20 Ee ee Ont DLO ofa state ae wee tee May 20 | Sept. 14 117 _—$———— LONG re ene eae to May 14 |} Sept. 14 123 Average, 1910t01922) May 17 | Oct. 19 1 WE ae ah 55 en emery = June 3) Oct. 11 130 Average, 1899 to 1909) May 16 | Oct. 16 123, 4 The evaporation is recorded by measuring the open water surface in a tank sunk in the ground at about the general ground level. ' From the records of the Biophysical Laboratory ofthe Bureau of Plant Industry. a asec DRL GBELE CERI CER PER bees Bees eee eeereeeeaee ——————————— mean — a The ratio of seasonal _ precipitation to seasonal evaporation was 1 to 2.8. The mean monthly temperature for the years 1909 to 1921 varies from 41° F. — in April to 64° in July, with an average of 55° for the months from April to September. The average mean maximum for the same period is 68° and the average mean minimum 41° F. The highest temperature recorded is 103° and the lowest — 37°. TaBiEe 5.— Monthly, seasonal, and annual precipitation (in inches) in the vicinity of Moccasin, Mont., from 1912 to 1922, with averages for certain years. [Data from the records of the Biophysical Laboratory ofthe Bureau of Plant Industry.] Sea- sonal, Year .| May.| June.| July.| Aug.) Sept.| Oct. | Nov.| Dec.| Apr. |Total. to ; Sept. HONS clos ce 3.94 | 0.64 | 1.92 | 1.27 | 1.63 | 1.68 | 0.14 | 0.06 | 10.83 } 15.00 ONS same Seccoes 2.64 | 4.77 | 1.12 OL LOLs aG3 93 .38 | 10.84 | 14.96 OTA Swi ce 2.91 | 4. 64 . 64 OD | hiiek 74 64 rete lial As eka tad NOU sat oSe ces 2.12 | 3.97 | 3.54 .92 | 2.65 85 | 1.01 .66 | 14.63 | 20.68 HO1Gs << a cem e050 2.25 | 3.97 | 2.03 | 1.29 | 1.81 | 1.00 64 | 2.39 | 12.55 | 19.87 HON o a= Ptac care 2.79 | 1.81 963) 140 [2590 62 09 | 2.56 | 10.40} 17.69 OT Seo ciam'a clei 2.69 | 1.55 | 2.95 | 1.48 | 1.25 | 1.09 | 1.14 -26 | 10.36 | 16.38 iD a aaa 7341.08} 1.02] .29] 1.48] 1.43] .93 ATES |S SU 9. 90 AO2Z0S saioaeveies 2.91 | 3.97| .89]1.83] .66 65 15} .21 | 15.63 | 18.36 ISOS aS SS BeaS 3231 12545 | 3.87 | 1.03)) 1.69 03 | 1.47] .47]| 12.85] 15.48 iG? PBS eSE ae 1.42 | 4.43] 1.10} .68] .51 TEV TOR eT LOS 26n) atone Average: 1912 to 1922. 2.52 | 3.03 | 1.82 97 | 1.52 95 76 86 | 11.30} 16.30 All years, 8 BULLETIN 1244, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Table 6 gives the dates of the last lalling frosts in the spring and the earliest in the fall, with the length of the frost-free period for the years 1909 to 1922. The average date of the last killing frost in the spring was May 18 and the first in autumn September 20. The average length of the frost-free period was 125 days. The short- est period between killing frosts, 83 days, occurred in 1910. The longest period free from killing frost was 150 days, reported in 1922. The latest killing frost occurred on June 2 and the eae August 24. The average monthly wind velocity, in miles per hour, for the years 1909 to 1921 was as fie. April, 8.2; May, 7.9; June, 6.2; July, 7.9; August, 5.3; September, 6.1.6 The seasonal average was 6.9 miles per hour. TaBLe 6.—Dates of killing frost, the last in spring and first in fall, with the frost- free period at Judith Basin Substation, Moccasin, Mont., in each year from 1909 to 1922, inclusive. [Data from the records of the Biophysical Laboratory of the Bureau of Plant Industry.] : ie Frost- : Frost- Year. = ae eee 2 free Year Lastin ge im | free prs period poe: period. Days. Days 1909S ocisx Socks ee May 17] Oct. 12 14S yal OV ee ne eee ere May 30] Oct. 17 140 NOT OS es ae June 2] Aug. 24 SS ul S11 S eck tne May 28 | Sept. 14 109 OU ee kere May 6 | Sept. 18 (35a\ (PLO ee oe See eae June 1 |} Sept. 27 118 (GID eee) € 2 ies ce ree ee May 12] Sept. 15 126 LOQ0ES sae See May 25 | Sept. 28 126 1 QIS eee ee ee eee May 19] Sept. 9 TAS) | POD 2 ee ae eee May 2] Sept. 9 130 10) ee Be eee May 12 |} Sept. 12 1236) ] 192255 eee eee oe May 8j] Oct. 5 150 NOUS SS he eyo ae ome ea a May 951] Sept. 11 129 IGIG es Someta ne May 16 | Sept. 13 120 AAVGrage: Joe ok caot on May 18 | Sept. 20 125 The important climatic features from all stations for which crop data are given in this bulletin are summarized in Table 7. These data do not cover the same period of years at the various stations, which undoubtedly accounts for some apparent discrepancies. The highest average annual and seasonal precipitation is reported at Red- field, S. Dak. Edgeley, N. Dak., stands second in the seasonal aver- age, with only about 1 inch less than at Redfield. The lowest average annual precipitation is recorded for Havre, Mont., and the lowest seasonal average for Sheridan, Wyo. The seasonal average of 13.25 inches, recorded for Ardmore, S. Dak., is undoubtedly above the normal, since the records for that station cover a period of only nine years, which included three or four years of abnormally high precipita- tion. Three stations, Redfield and Ardmore, S. Dak., and Mandan, N. Dak., record a maximum of slightly more than a 30-inch precipita- tion in one year. The lowest annual precipitation recorded is 6.64. inches at Belle Fourche, S. Dak. The maximum annual precipita- tion is nearly as great for the stations with the lowest as for those with the highest average annual precipitation. As would naturally be expected, the ratio of precipitation to evaporation is greatest in those sections where the rainfall is lowest, as is the case at Havre and Sheridan. The lowest ratio occurs at Edgeley, and while evapora- tion records are not available for Redfield, it is very likely that there is not much difference in this respect between Redfield and Edgeley. The highest mean seasonal temperatures are reported at Redfield, 6 From the records of the Biophysical Laboratory of the Bureau of Plant Industry. FORAGE CROPS IN NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS. 9 Ardmore, and Belle Fourche, and the lowest at Moccasin. Absolute maximum temperatures of 110° F. have been recorded at Redfield, Dickinson, Mandan, and Edgeley. The lowest temperature recorded is —57° F. at Havre. At the other stations the absolute minimum temperature ranges from —34° to —49° F. The average number of days between killing frosts ranges from 106 at Dickinson, N. Dak., to 137 at Belle Fourche. The shortest season, 47 days, is recorded at Dickinson and the longest, 173 days, at Williston, N. Dak. The average date of the last killing frost in spring occurs between May 8 and May 27, and the first in the fall between September 9 and Sep- tember 27, thus giving a range of nearly four weeks in growing season between stations. The latest kalling frost in the spring is reported as occurring on June 25, at Dickinson, and the earliest killing frost in the autumn on August 9, at the same station. At all these sta- tions there is a wide range between the shortest and longest growing seasons reported. The average seasonal wind velocity ranges from 4.5 to 6.8 miles per hour. TaBLE 7.—Summary of climatological data for all stations in the northern Great Plains region from which forage-crop data are reported. [Data marked with a star (*) are from the records of the United States Weather Bureau, those marked with a dagger (+) are from the records of the Biophysical Laboratory of the Bureau of Plant Industry, - and those marked with both these signs are from both these sources. Data marked with a double dag- _ ger ({) are from North Dakota Experiment Station Bulletin 158, being taken in part from records made at Fort Buford, Williston, and Williston substation in North Dakota. The seasonal data are for the months of April to September, inclusive. ] Precipitation. 2 Ration Seasonal tempera- Sea- | seasonal WbENS fie Seasonal. Annual sonal | precipita- Stations. z evap- | tion to tude. | Aver- E os ora- | Seasonal Tesla age an: _ | Cent- are i ion. | evapora- ean; Mean nual evel age ee oy s oe /Mean.)maxi-} mini- 8 of an- S | jmum./mum nual | Feet. | Inches. | Inches. Inches. | Inches. | Inches. SINS SEG ae ve difiel dees" = se 1,295 | *20. 33 | *15. 62 TOS.) BOS TO || AU SOs ee callocactose se TOL ieee el eseses IRE WAKD Eos eases 2,600 |*13. 27 | *19.77 | 73.9 |*25. 67 | *76.76 | 735.8 | 1t04.0] +58 |+72 745 Moccasine a2s-2- 255 4, 300 #716. 52 |*711.99 | 72.6 |*+23.76 | *79.90 | 33.4 | 1t0 2.8 55 |768 +41 Diekinson 2. =. <=: 25543) 215.41 12504 | 78.1 | 222.74 | *8.37 | 732.9.) to 2.7 58 |*72. 6 *43 Wand anes ese = 1,750 *717. 04 *112.99 | 76.2 |*730. 92 |*710.31 | 7384.8] 1to02.7 | *59 |*71.2 *47 Wallistonm. -2-425-2 1,875 £14. 1G2| Selle AEE (bso: |kt2a020) || veal iitos 1t03.0 | *58 |*71 45 Hettinger.<.-2--..: 2-615 | 14. 52) *11. 86 | Sl. 7 | *22.35.| .*7.37 | 732.5 | 1Lto2.7 | *58 | 72 +44 deeley > so. 2s558: 1,468 | *17. 57 | *14.51 | 82.6 | *27.45 | *10.41 | 729.2 | 1to2.0} 758 |771 745 phen danse == sess s5 3, 790 | *14.43 | *9.36| 64.9 | *22.51 | *7.98 | 7386.2] 1t03.9 | *57 |*72 *43 Belle Fourche. .... 2,850 | 715.46 | $11.74 | 75.9 | 725.89 | 46.64 | 736.7] 1to3.1]| +61 |+74 +47 Ardmore..<:-252-- 3,567 | 716.69 | $13.25 | 79.4 | 730.41 | 712.78 | $87.7 | 1Lto2.8) +61 \T75 +47 Mancolute fame Killing frost. Growing season. | Aver- perature for | __ ee Stations Station. Average date. we : Peis win Latest in Favliest Aver- | Short- | Long- alee Maxi-} Mini-| Last in | Firstin | spring. Marcas age. | est. | est. lity per mum.|mum.} spring. | autumn. | ; hour. Days. | Days. | Days. | Miles. Redfield: .2202-.: *110 | *—44 |*May 14 |/*Sept. 27 |June 21 /*Sept. 9} *136 $83 i| ha Pl 2al eee IANS O55 ~ = = J 52% *1108 |*t—57 /*}May 17 /*{Sept.19 *{June 3 /*+Aug.25 | *f125 | *f83 | *7152 75.4 MoccCasin=s"_22-.5-- 7103 | —37 |}May 18 |fSept. 20 ;June 2 jAug. 24} 7125 783 | +150 76.5 Wiekinson.-. 2-22. - *110 | *—47 |*May 26 |*Sept. 9 |*June 25 |*Aug. 91 | *106 AT | S155 76.7 Wear dares eee *+110 |*+—45 |*}May 12 |*+Sept.19 |*}June 7 |*fAug.23 | *F130 | *+98 | *4170 i Walliston. 225-2222. *7109 | *—49 |*May 17 |*Sept. 18 |*June 16 |*Sept. 3} *124 89 | *173| T1[6.8 Hettinger: ...---=< *1106 | *—47 |*May 27 |*Sept. 17 |*June 16 |*Aug. 28] *113 *92 | *129 T6. 4 Mdgeley-..---...-- {110 | t—38 May 18 |*Sept. 20 |*June 9 Aug. 20 *125 | *851 *143| 76.6 Sheridan.......-.- *105 | *—45 |*May 20 |*Sept. 20|*June 6 |\*Aug. 25] *123| *100| *156 74.5 Belle Fourche. ..-. +109 | —37 |t{May 12 |\tSept. 26 |;May 31 |fSept. 14) 7137] 1119] f171 76.6 rdmore == 2- +... | $103 | —34 +May 8 |fSept. 20 |{May 20 |tSept. 8| 7135] {121 ey $5.3 | 1 July 19 is given in one table. 82537 °—247 2 ; Fe 10 BULLETIN 1244, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Further details explaining the periods covered by the data given in Table 7 for the several stations (all dates inclusive) are as follows: Redfield, S. Dak.—All data are for the years 1898 to 1922. Havre, Mont.—The precipitation data and absolute maximum and minimum temperatures are for the years 1880 to 1922; longest and shortest growing seasons and frost data, 1910 to 1922; other data, 1916 to 1922. Moccasin, Mont.—Precipitation data, 1898 to 1922; other data, 1909 to 1922. Dickinson, N. Dak.—Precipitation data, frost data, and absolute maximum and minimum temperatures, 1892 to 1920; evaporation data, 1907 to 1921; mean temperature, 1895 to 1920; mean maximum and mean minimum tempera- ture, 1901 to 1920; wind velocity, 1908 to 1921. Mandan, N. Dak.—Precipitation data, frost data, and absolute maximum and minimum temperatures, 1875 to 1922, these data for the years 1875 to 1913 being from records at Bismarck; mean temperatures from records at Bismarck for 1878 to 1920; other data, 1914 to 1922. Williston, N. Dak.—Precipitation data, absolute maximum and minimum tem- — peratures, 1879 to 1920; evaporation data, 1909 to 1918; mean, mean maximum, ~ and mean minimum temperatures, 1882 to 1920; frost data, 1894 to 1920; wind velocity, 1909 to 1920. : Hettinger, N. Dak.—Precipitation data, 1907 to 1920; wind velocity, 1913 to 1920; mean temperatures, 1911 to 1921; absolute maximum and minimum temperatures, 1908 to 1920; frost records, 1909 to 1920; evaporation data, 1911 — to 1921 (exclusive of 1913). Edgeley, N. Dak.—Precipitation data, 1901 to 1920; evaporation data, 1909 — to 1920; mean, absolute maximum, and absolute minimum temperatures, 1907 to 1921; wind velocity, 1910 to 1920; frost data, 1903 to 1920. Sheridan, Wyo.—Precipitation data, 1893 to 1920; evaporation data, 1918 to 1921; mean, mean maximum, and mean minimum temperatures, 1908 to 1920; mean, absolute maximum, and absolute minimum temperatures, 1896 to 1920; frost data, 1900 to 1920 (exclusive of 1903 and 1904); wind velocity, 1917 to 1920. Belle Fourche, S. Dak.—Precipitation data, frost data, and mean, absolute maximum, and absolute minimum temperatures, -1908 to 1922; evaporation data and wind velocity, same years; mean maximum and mean minimum tempera- tures, 1912 to 1921. Ardmore, S. Dak.—Precipitation data, 1912 to 1922; other data, 1913 to 1922. — SOILS.’ In a region as extensive as the northern Great Plains the types of — soil are so numerous that no attempt is here made to give them ~ more than a general consideration. Each of the 12 groups shown — on the accompanying map (fig. 2) includes numerous types varying © in characteristics and ranging in texture from sand to clay. In three of the divisions—the mountain areas, the sand hills, and _ the Yellowstone group—no attempt has been made to differentiate — the soils. The mountain areas are for the most part outside the © region here considered. The sand hills in the main are of little value © except for grazing purposes, although interspersed with flats having — a comparatively shallow water table on which alfalfa and other forage — crops are successfully grown. The Yellowstone group includes the ~ Bad Lands and other hilly areas with shallow soils, areas of relatively smooth land with shallow soils (as in eastern Wyoming), areas of — shale outcrop (as in eastern Montana), and “slick-spot”’ areas. — These lands in the main are not capable of cultivation, although they ~ are of more or less value for grazing. The other soils of the region, which for the most part are sufficiently — smooth for the usual farming operations, appear on the map as a — series of belts running north and south and interrupted by the ~ 7 Contributed by the Bureau of Soils of the United States Department of Agriculture. 11 The differentiation into (1) The varying degrees of soil and (2) the depth to the zone of s . group. belts is based on two characteristics darkness in the color of the FORAGE CROPS IN NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS. lime accumulation. ramifications of the Yellowstone or o (‘s[log Jo neoing Ge 2 omy Aq poystuiny AeyAT) “SMONTPUOd o.ANysIoUr oqesOAR] OIOUT 9T]} JO OSNVOq TI,O]|{N Sty} UI Possnostp vore oy} UL pepnpUT u9eq 4ou sey ‘sdnoiz a 50 ToysaTIe) pue Apunsy purv ‘souivg “[peysieyA, oy} SUIpNpUr “vore yorTq oy, “WOIBo1 surepg ywory UJoOYII0U oY] JO deur [los poztteioueH—z “OMT qe | 0) ON ro OPPO NOOO We INoge ye uoljeMumMdoe a] eudqued‘S[IOS UMOTE KEXEXEXG ey = 2 EOS BORE yep UINTPI —“dnoay pnqasoy Poor Bra S p ‘UL ZI JNoqe 72 uole[nuNns.e ae ee SeLeN (RAC MCR eo GO (524 % aye uUOgTeS YIM S[Ios uMOouq WB UT Ree OY : ae ) dnoun predpny b jeunjnouse-uou Aj uveur‘puel ysnou 4ayjO pus ‘spurl peg‘s[tos mMO|feysS 43504 dnouy auo0js mojjax 62422 ‘ul QI yNOde ye uOWe[NUINDOB oyeuOqIeD YYLM STLOS WMOUg WS dnoay nenoy) SS Yjo \noge ye vorye[nuindse ‘ oyeuogieS YAM s[Ios UMOUg YLeG Ss dnouy uoz,wopys pH ; 4 t q ¥ 4. os * Hoes toe 4 f $4 Z \ S WY \ S Z lg Z jnoge 7e uOTe[NUNdDI oy A se: rere 050) ere. S35 ee <1 ~es ° 3 5 yEuUOgIeS YIM S]Los uUMOoug yep Adar [% i PRR ~e"e | ASX OOIH (ay { 4 om aee Sok ty YY} oS Schehe (i fy ERIRIS ee sey i & . Ie by Oo O SS ~ 25 . a > 4 e 2 ehter to the west. y of Shelby, Mont., and from there the nereases in both directions. = al =) MQ 3 o co) 1s TS) = om H 2) a o) i) j = errs NS CES : MGs UY Yipes SRA 9 r__AY Bio Y Y Yy rn SSR ‘HE SINTERS OS Jz Noge ye UoNEMUMNIoB yy YyYfyy YY, Ua: ° iby eset % SBore SNOUTE) ee: As gan Yy Uy YY POOR Berne ae stents 4 : 2 2 ) YW TU SSS ER SEABED 6 puve = boa MY Yao ENS SNUG mpoesl | Ba 2S YUL LLL SES GXEREN © Ci oN ¢q Zo 2 ® q_.co8¢ “Bp S Bp fos ug BULLETIN 1244, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. of darkness indicates the proportion of humus in the soil. This, in turn, 1s dependent upon the grass covering, which bears a direct relation to the precipitation. The relative depths of the zone of lime accumulations is also dependent largely upon the moisture supply. In the extreme east- ern part of the region, where there is considerable moisture, the zone — of lime accumulation is not well marked or else occurs at considerable depths. As the precipitation decreases to the westward the lime zone is found gradually nearer the surface. The successive belts shown on the map are merely differentiations in the uniform or gradual change of these features in the soil, and the boundary lines are necessarily more or less arbitrary. The black belt occupies the eastern part of the region and includes three groups: The Barnes, the Marshall, and the Grundy and Car- rington. These soils are well supplied with humus, and the zone of lime accumulation occurs at 2 to 4 feet. The heavier textures pre- dominate. This belt has not been included in the present discussion, as moisture conditions are such as to insure fairly satisfactory yields in most Seasons. The very dark brown belt les just west of the black belt, and the sous have somewhat less humus. The zone of lime accumulation is found at about 2 feet. Here, also, the heavier textures predomi- nate. This belt is indicated on the map as the Williams group. The dark-brown group includes soils very similar in texture to the preceding group, but they are a shade lighter in color and the zone of lime accumulation is a little less than 2 feet from the | surface. The Morton and Rosebud groups are included im this belt. The soils of the brown belt, which are represented on the map by the Choteau group, are mostly confined to Montana, the largest areas lying in the eastern half of the State. These soils are lighter in color than any of the preceding groups and probably a little less — productive. The zone of lime accumulation occurs at a depth of about 16 inches. The light-brown soil belt—the Rudyard group—occupies an area north of Great Falls, Mont. These soils have less humus than any other of the soil belts in this region and are therefore lighter in color. The zone of lime accumulation is also nearer the surface, at an aver- age depth of about 12 inches. Because of the low moisture supply — these soils can hardly be considered agricultural, though exceptional farmers may be able to make a living under favorable conditions. AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES. As the first step in presenting a broad outline of the agricultural resources of the northern Great Plains, it may be stated that the total area involved is approximately 152,280,000 acres. In 1919 there were 26,838,000 acres of improved land in farms of which approximately 17,107,000 acres, or about 65 per cent, were in har-— vested crops, including native hay. Cereals are the chief crops of the region as a whole; but forage crops, especially native hay, con= tribute very largely to its agricultural resources, as they make stock raising possible. It is not so difficult to visualize the value of the grain resources, since grain is exportable to markets where it has a definite cash value. It is more difficult to evaluate the forage f Pe ees é FORAGE CROPS IN NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS. 13 resources properly, since forage in the main must be used where it is produced and its value reckoned in terms of animals, animal products, and animal labor. Animal products contribute largely to the local food supply, while animal labor is largely the motive power necessary to agriculture generally. Neither appears in the inventory of re- sources to the extent its importance warrants. CEREAL CROPS. The Dakotas have long been noted for their wheat fields, but it is not generally known that these States normally contribute upward of 12 million acres, or more than half, to the total acreage devoted annually to spring wheat in the United States. In 1919 there were in the northern Great Plains area, as here defined, about 4,813,000 acres of spring wheat, 600,000 acres of winter wheat, 1,218,400 acres of rye, 831,000 acres of oats, and 448,000 acres of barley. That the region is truly a small-grain region will be appreciated when it is noted that approximately half of the total acreage in crops in 1919 consisted of smali grains. The region contributes one-fifth of all the sprmg wheat and one-seventh of the rye acreage of the United States. Corn is not important as a grain crop. However, it is relatively of much importance throughout most of the region as a crop to produce rough forage, and it is becom- ing increasingly more important. FORAGE RESOURCES. The native grasses constitute the greatest forage resource of the northern Great Plains. More hay is made from the wild grasses than there is roughage harvested from all the cultivated forage crops combined. ‘This does not mean that native hay supplies more feed for livestock than do all the cultivated crops; for the cereal crops, including corn, supply feed or forage, but they are not commonly referred to as forage crops. In addition to grain, they supply straw and stover, bran, and other mill feeds. Native grasses, on the other hand, furnish pasturage as well as hay. They are an asset to the settlement of a new country, since they permit the pioneer to have livestock from the outset; and they have been especially important in the development of the northern Great Plains. In this region a little less than 5,000,000 tons of native-grass hay are harvested annually. The map (fig. 3) shows that more than half of this tonnage must be credited to the Dakotas, and much of it is fed to livestock within the locality where it is produced. It is good forage, far better, in fact, than most of the native hay produced to the south. When fed in unlimited quantities it is decidedly more than a maintenance feed for cattle, horses, and sheep. Although the carrying capacity of the native grasses in the region is not high, the Native ranges if properly managed turn off each fall cattle that are in excellent condition for the Corn Belt feed yard and thousands that are even in condition for slaughter. Furthermore, the native asses cure on the stem and are a source of much excellent winter orage. Two quite distinct types of grasslands—short grass and bunch grass—characterize the northern Great Plains. These types are de- termined very largely by the precipitation. The short-grass area BULLETIN 1244, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 14 "6161 Ul Sossvid oliread JO “4[Bs ‘p[IM Jo odvoiNB oY Durmoys ‘soyeig pom 944 Jo panuyoy—caccvy) CTL SLN3S3ud3y 1! VaYV dOYO SHL Sv 1V3YuD Sv SAWIL 9! Si 100 SHL AS G3Y3A09 VW3aYV WNLOV S3YOV 000'2 SIN3S3ud3Y LOG HOVS dem surping—"s “Sly 616 ‘NOILONGOUd GNY ADVaNOV SASSVUD AIMIVUd YO “LTVS ‘ATIM FORAGE CROPS IN NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS, 15 extends from the eastern boundary westward, although broken to a considerable extent in the drier parts of Montana by desert types. The bunch grasses grow chiefly on the breaks along watercourses and in sandy areas. There are plants other than grasses that supply considerable forage on the native pastures and ranges, but the grasses are by far the most important. The data on the grazing lands of all kinds within this region are not accurate, but it is estimated that the entire region has 85,279,009 acres of grazing land. The estimates of the average carrying capacity are even less dependable, but from the data at hand it is reasonable to conclude that for the region as a whole 20 acres will supply grazing sufficient to carry one adult cow for a period of six months. The actual carrying capacity varies almost directly with the precipitation. Tame pastures contribute almost neghgibly to the total pasturage in the drier parts of the region. When it is recalled that the native grasses furnish approximately 3,000,000 tons of hay annually in addition to what they afford as pasturage, their value to the agricul- ture of the northern Great Plains will be appreciated. When broken, these native grasslands, even if left undisturbed, require fully a gen- eration before they return, if ever, to their original productiveness. The limiting factors in cereal-crop production are likewise the limiting factors in the growing of forage crops. Low rainfall and a short growing season very definitely limit the kinds of forage that can be grown, as well as the production. The fact that the total area of cultivated forage crops and of the cereal crops harvested for forage is less than 2,500,000 acres, or slightly more than half the area producing native-grass hay, shows clearly that these crops are not as yet a large factor in the agriculture of the region from the standpoint of either acreage or production. However, the cul- tivated forage should not all be credited to cultivated forage crops -alone. A considerable part comes more or less incidentally from other cultivated crops, particularly the cereals, exclusive of the cereals cut for hay. Of the strictly forage crops, alfalfa exceeds the others in acreage and tonnage, and yet very much less alfalfa is grown in this region than is commonly supposed. It is estimated that there are 786,000 acres which produce approximately 1,116,000 tons of hay annually. Much of the acreage, especially in Montana and western South Dakota, is under irrigation. The strictly dry-land acreage of alfalfa is small. Severe winters as well as dry summers are largely re- sponsible for this. Although corn is classed as a cereal, it is a true forage crop, and -it is so regarded in all the northern Great Plains except that portion projecting into the Corn Belt. According to the census data, about 325,000 acres of corn were harvested for fodder and 17,000 acres for silage in this region in 1919. It is estimated that the forage produced from the total acreage on a dry-fodder basis would approxi- - mate 350,000 tons. In the drier sections corn for fodder is becoming Pad ‘ increasingly important. For these sections corn may be regarded as a forage resource of very great potential value. he last census lists a number of grasses under the heading “Other tame grasses,’ which includes those other than timothy and clover and certain grasses and legumes otherwise definitely specified. / 16 BULLETIN 1244, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. For the northern Great Plains the millets are the chief members of this group. There are small acreages of awnless brome grass (Bromus inermis lL.) and of slender wheat grass (Agropyron tenerum L.), but the millets exceed these many times both in acreage and production. They are short-season drought-resistant annual grasses that under reasonably favorable conditions produce fair yields of a very good quality of hay. The total acreage of “other tame grasses” in the northern Great Plains in 1919 was given by the census at 201,600 acres and the total production at 166,000 tons of hay. The acreage of timothy and clover is small, and much of this is under irrigation. These forage plants are of little value where the annual precipitation is less than 20 inches, and consequently they can not be depended upon for forage production in the greater part of the region. The sorghums, the chief cultivated forage dependence of the Great Plains region south of Nebraska and west of the ninety-eighth meridian, are grown only to a very limited extent in the northern Great Plains; but south of the latitude of Mandan, Sudan grass and early-maturing strains of the sweet sorghums offer possibilities for the future. In North Dakota and Montana a considerable acreage of cereals is cut for hay. The area given by the census for 1919 was 356,500 and 432,000 acres, respectively. The total area for the region was 967,958 acres. From this area it is estimated that 399,000 tons of hay were produced. The acreage of small grains cut for hay in 1919 was appreciably higher than the normal annual acreage because of the shortage of forage due to drought conditions and to the fact that if left for grain it would not have been worth harvesting. On the other hand, the production per acre was lower because of the unfavorable season. For hay production cereals may be regarded as emergency crops, the acreage harvested each year depending largely upon the favorableness of conditions for the ranges, pastures, and the growing of forage crops. Furthermore, a cereal crop ma not be profitable to harvest for eo and still be profitable entree to ase harvesting it for hay if forage is or promises to be scarce, as is commonly the case under such conditions. It is interesting as well as significant that the total tonnage of grain produced in the northern Great Plains in 1919 was approxi- mately equal to the total tonnage of harvested roughage. en it is considered that 1919 was a poor crop year and that much more grain was cut for hay that year than is normally the case, something of the relation of ames roughage to the agriculture of this region may be appreciated. From the data here presented it is uite evident that there is not the proper relation between the pro- uction of harvested roughage and the production of grain when a really permanent system of agriculture is considered. LIVESTOCK RESOURCES. Forage is of value only as it is consumed by livestock. Therefore, in. order that the forage resources of the northern Great Plains may be fully appreciated, the livestock resources will be briefly reviewed. It is estimated by the Bureau of the Census that there were on farms in the northern Great Plains on January 1, 1920, a total of Shere ae FORAGE CROPS IN NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS. Fz 3,713,780 cattle of all ages and of all kinds; 833,746 swine, 2,710,300 sheep, 1,510,298 horses (excluding colts and yearlings), 23,088 mules 2 years old and over, and 5,548,256 head of poultry. Considering the acreage and the production of cultivated crops, the number of cattle and sheep is very large. Beef cattle greatly outnumber dairy stock and furnish a large exportable surplus. Dairy cattle are relatively unimportant from a cash-income standpoint, and the quantity of dairy products produced is actually inadequate for the needs of the region. The number of swine is relatively small. Twenty-five States each produced more swine, according to the census, than the entire region. lowa reported upward of 8,000,000, or more than nine times the number. It is evident from an examination of the agricultural resources of the northern Great Plains that it is the range and native-grass lands and not the cultivated land that make the livestock industry what it is, notwithstanding the fact that a vast quantity of small grain is produced and that the grain tonnage is actually as great as that of the harvested forage. Livestock and forage have proved to be the foundation features of the agriculture of the region. This has been true since the -first settlement, and from present indi- cations livestock will be relatively more important as the country develops. é EXPERIMENTS WITH FORAGE CROPS. The forage-crop data in this bulletin have been obtained from experiments conducted at various points in the northern Great Plains, chiefly at Redfield, S. Dak., Moccasin and Havre, Mont., Sheridan, Wyo., and Mandan and Dickinson, N. Dak. The work at Redfield has been conducted entirely by the Office of Forage- Crop Investigations, while that at the other stations has been in cooperation with the Office of Dry-Land Agriculture Investigations and the various State agricultural experiment stations. Additional data have been obtained from the records and bulletins of the Office of Dry-Land Agriculture Investigations and from various State publications, which give the experimental results at Belle Fourche and Ardmore,.S. Dak., and at Edgeley, Hettinger, and Williston, N. Dak. The weights recorded are of field-cured material, except as other- _ wise noted at Havre, Moccasin, and Redfield. To reduce the field- cured results to an air-dry basis it is estimated that a deduction of 10 to 15 per cent should be made for the finer stemmed forage lants, such as alfalfa and the grasses, and from 20 to 30 per cent the coarser forages, such as sorghums, Sudan grass, and sweet clover. The yields reported are considerably greater than a farmer can reasonably expect, largely on account of the greater care in pre- paring and sowing the various crops. Furthermore, some increase is attributable to the greater quantity of moisture available along the sides of plats. Table 8 gives in condensed form the average yields of some of the leading forage and cereal crops at the various stations. It is believed that-this table will be of some assistance in indicating the comparative productive capacity of the various sections over a period of years. The variations in yields are for the most part 82537°—24t 3 18 BULLETIN 1244, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. due largely to weather conditions, as the soils on which the tests have been conducted are capable of producing very large crops when moisture conditions are favorable. Variation and amount of precipitation account in a large measure for the fact that crop yields are in general higher in the eastern part of the region and decrease to the westward. The highest average yield of wheat is reported from Edgeley and the lowest from Havre. Slightly lower yields at Redfield than at Edgeley are doubtless attributable to the Pact that the tests at the former station cover only three years, which included two abnormally poor crop seasons. The highest barley yields were obtained at Redfield and the lowest at Havre. The yields of oats are very similar at Redfield, Moccasin, and Dickinson and are appreciably higher than at most of the other stations. As is the case with other grains, the lowest average yield was at Havre. The average production of alfalfa at Redfield, as shown in the table, is about 1.8 tons per acre. At all the other stations except Havre the crop has ave approximately 1 ton per acre. The acre production of corn fodder ranges from 3.4 tons at Redfield to 1.2 tons at Havre. Sorghum varies from 0.6 ton at Havre to 3.5 tons at Redfield and millet from 0.2 ton at Havre.to 2.8 tons at Redfield. TABLE 8.—General average yields of the small grains and the more important forage crops at 11 stations in the northern Great Plains region. [Data from North Dakota bulletins and records of the Offices of Dry-Land Agriculture and Forage-Crop Investigations. Thecircled number following the yield averagein each column shows the term of years considered in computing such average yield. ] Yields per acre. Small-grain yields (bushels). | Forage-crop yields (tons). Stations. . \ejaee | Dakota | ,- Spring | : ese Conhasbaal Corn Kursk wheat. | Oats. Barley. alfalfa. | fodder. aonees millet Redfield] SD alkt oes Manet ees 16.5@] 39.5@| 34.2@]| 1.8 © 3.4@] 3.5 @ | 2.8 @ Ardmore, S..Dak=-ot, 28) 0Fkx. 17.2 @ | 32.1 18.1 @ .98 @ 1.5 2.8 Bees Belle Fourche, 8S. Dak........-- 16.9@] 31.1@] 17.2@] 1.0 © 1.8 @ | 2.3. @ ]...-.-..08 Fidgeley, N.Daki.iJ23. 122 48. s 17.2@)} 340@] 20.3@] 1.0 @ 2. 0 Gr... 2 eee eee Mandan, N. Dak..-.-.-...- +. oe 16.3@ | 34.8@] 21.9® .93 @) 1.9@/ 18 ® 2.0 @ Dickinson} Ne Dake === eee 1 18.4 @ | 37.2 @ 23.3 @) .85 ® 1.8 @ | 1.6 @ 1.2@ Williston, N. Dak. .222230..023) Tosa see Gaia gts eal te eee 2, 4G) -|- 3252 26) ee eee Hetiineen iN. Dakee eeceeeerer | 14.5 @)}] 32.8 3 DANO OD) ee oar eee epee se et 1.7 ® 1.6 @® Havre; Montet = see se ees PROM EB SE | 9.0 @ .2 © 1.0 @ .6 © .2@ Moccasin "Mont --— == eee ee 16.7 @| 36.2@ | 18.9 s 1.1 @ 2.4 @® .70 © 11@ Sheridan: Wyo, -.)-2s2 2 eee 15.2@ | 31.8 @ | 25.1 12 1.3@ | 16 © 1.4 © FODDER AND SILAGE CROPS. Tonnage is an important factor in this region in the consideration — of forage to be harvested and stored and in,some degree takes pre- cedence of quality. The list of the coarse fodder and silage plants for this region is small. Corn, the sorghums, and sunflowers are the only crops that are satisfactory from the standpoint of yield and pala- tability. Corn and sorghum are valuable for both fodder and silage, while sunflowers are useful mainly for silage. CORN. In gross tonnage, corn is the most dependable forage crop for much = 3 of the northern Great Plains region. In parts of the extreme North and at the higher altitudes it is at times forced to give way to the - = ‘ i FORAGE CROPS IN NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS. 19 small grains and to a limited extent to sunflowers, where silage is considered. South of Redfield, Dakota Amber sorghum yields a eross tonnage equal to corn or possibly slightly greater, but corn seems to be preferred wherever it can be grown successfully. Corn is an excellent fodder plant and is unexcelled for silage. Further- more, with the advent of better adapted varieties the matured grain produced by corn is of very great value to the region. Generally speaking, only the early-maturing varieties can be satis- factorily grown on the northern Great Plains. There is, however, considerable variation in this respect, depending upon latitude and altitude. It is as a rule best to grow varieties that will mature or nearly mature whether the crop is to be harvested for grain, fodder, or silage. While the total tonnage may not be so great as from some of the later maturing varieties, the feeding value of the varieties that nearly mature is ordinarily enough greater to compensate for the difference in tonnage. a Fic. 4—Corn varieties grown at Havre, Mont. Corn is one of the most important forage crops of the northern Great Plains region. The introduction of more suitable varieties has extended its area of production greatly in recent years. Comparative tests have been conducted at Redfield with the Rain- bow Flint, Northwestern Dent, Silver King, Minnesota 13, and Golden Glow varieties. Rainbow Flint has outyielded the other varieties both in grain and fodder. This variety is one of the best for silage, but the dent corns are preferred for grain. The common corn in this region is an early-maturing white dent. At Dickinson and Mandan the Northwestern Dent variety has ao about as satisfactory results as any, although Rainbow Flint as been quite satisfactory at Mandan. Triumph Flint has shown up well in comparison with the other varieties at Havre, Mont. (fig. 4). In 1922 Gehu Flint produced more grain than any of the other varie- ties tested, but Triumph Flint proved to be one of the best for silage and fodder. Table 9 gives the annual and average yields of corn fodder at 11 stations on the northern Great Plains. - 290 BULLETIN 1244, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, TABLE 9.—Annual and average yields of corn fodder at 11 stations in the northern Great Plains region in stated years. [Data in pounds per acre. H=Destroyed by hail—not included in the averages. The yield stated for Redfield in 1922 is the air-dry weight.] | se High- | Edge- | Man- Belle Ard- |Dickin-| Willis- Red- | Mocca- | Sheri- Year. | more. | ley. | dan.? |Fourche.‘| more.‘{ son. | ton? |#4°Te"| geld. | sin.? | dan# 2 | | | 19062 =3 38 | Shee 8 Be OTD iis eee Stee ae Or el toes erred eee oy ee ee ee oad TR Oe eel ee 1907 2c dse5 cfc sees | BA |... 2s seulgs sas. shesla ee eee ee ee Nees fee |: Sten Ease eS Seo ee ee Te ates ee ee Ng athe jd a Pa Paes es ee Ws cae CEES Se regs. Telsaries op lie aed eas ar 695 | bantezs 5-B15)| (6) 718 (ik: cee 9,456 10.08 1910! ba |e |; Up BLO 2s se: 2887 ines 35064 (ae78h |-2 ia [esses 264i. boas 1911 iE al eagle ae on eee £070) S574 [iss fee 5,981 |...... PTE eae ok 7,060 | 6,350|.......- Asa |) Bp lee eEI olepee eee WSS BEd eet ee eee ee 6,360 | 5,731 |......-- 4,605.| ", 9871-3589 | 1b, Stk |e efoseaens 4215 |....-. 191! 27811 | 5,085| 4,210| 1,151| 1,018] 2,980| 7,639 |........|.......- £310 |4 1& 101s ee. nee 633 | 5; 4,070|.. 5,900 | 6,343] 3,330] -27419 |....-..-|..--...2 6,198 |...... 1916 3,768 | 4,525] 4,770 4,570 | 4,572] 4,358] 6,825| 4,450] 8,755] 4,423 ]...... 1OT 7 eek) |e es 1,840} 3,760] 3/601| 27369| 1,316] 2/919] 17040|........ 3/368 | 2,358 1918 2,879 | 4,300 5,077 | 3,671} 3,320] 5,807} 1,497 H 7,152 | 5,022 1019.2 Sls 4382 | 27560 259{ 27168| 27074] 27778] 7447| 4,131| 937] 249 19203008 cele) aes 27383 | 2/000| 4,813| 3,107] 4,958| 1/384] 3,198| 77752| 5,565 | 3,028 A921. 264 Sess cee 4,364 | 3,050 2,155 | 2,563 | 3,154 |.......- 2,861 |} 9,549] 4,294 | 1,290 19223 cetea ic Mee noes 3,713 | 5,130 6,549 | 2,422.) 4,963 Jr--2--- 2,697 | 3,787] 4,161 | 3,445 SS ee ee ee es eas ass Sa Average..| 4,126 % a 4112 | 3,761 | 3,664 | 2,941 3,509 | 4,790 2,313 | 6,795| 4,823 | 2,565 , 1 Datafrom South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin 174. ; 2 Datafrom United States Department of Agriculture Bulletin 991 for the years 1906 to 1919 and from the records ofthe Office of Dry-Land Agriculture Investigations for the years i920 to 1922. ; 3 Datafrom the records ofthe Office of Dry-Land Agriculture Investigations. 4 Datafrom Farmers’ Bulletin 1163 up to and including 1919 and from the records of the Office of Dry- Land Agriculture Investigations for the years 1920 to 1922. SORGHUMS. The sorghums require a considerable period of warm weather for _ satisfactory growth, and as might be expected the greatest acreage — is found in the southern part of the region. There are in those parts — of South Dakota and Nebraska included in the area approximately — 40,000 acres of sorghum. ‘This acreage constitutes more than three- fourths of all the jand devoted to sorghum in the area. In South Dakota most of the sorghum is found in the southern half of the — State just west of the Missouri River. The average yield per acre is 13 tons of fodder. It is planted mostly in rows, although there is a small acreage sown broadcast in the eastern part of the region, where the moisture conditions are more favorable. The leading variety for this region is Dakota Amber, although Minnesota Amber and Red Amber have given good results in the southern part. The acreage of grain sorghum is insignificant. 1 The average yields of sorghum gradually decrease west of Red- — field (fig. 5) until the lowest yield is reached at Havre, where it falls below 1 ton per acre. At Mandan, Redfield, Sheridan, and Ard- more, the Red Amber variety has given the largest yields, but over most of the region Dakota Amber has proved most popular, as it is better adapted to a short growing season. At Redfield the average for this variety is about 3.5 tons per acre and at Belle Fourche, Ardmore, and Williston from 2 to nearly 3 tons per acre. The yields reported for Highmore are too low as compared with those from other stations, probably because the data were obtained during a period of years when conditions were not especially favorable. The light yields at Moccasin are largely due to the relatively short: and cool growing season. Table 10 gives the results of tests that have been conducted at various points in the region. ‘ FORAGE CROPS IN NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS. o} TaBLE 10.—Forage yields of sorghum varieties at 11 stations in the northern Great Plains region in stated years. [Data in pounds per acre, field cured, except that yields marked with a star (*) are air dry weights. F= Killed by frost—not included in the averages. H=Destroyed by hail—not included in the averages.] Varieties and stations.| 1913 | 1914 | 1915 | 1916 | 1917 | 1918 | 1919 | 1920 | 1921 | 1922 ae LS ea a | a F ( | Dakota Amber: Fregtield seer < seal: oe | Sr O04) ee <= 7,777| 4,996] H 6,142} 8,437) 6,693] *5,826] 6,968 Bbanidan hs 20. 222k 5,680. 2,700, 4,880] 1,410] 3,300] 3,085] 2,660) 4,850] 3,105] 3,519 ecRitisa Soh fee. eo ee | IE S566 lame meee 1,350| 2,900] 2,635]...._.. 3,128 Pir yre eer ee jae als 2 See eo 25023 | Siete 0 | 0| *3, 546] *1,606| 1,196 Glicridan=opae sco. |L 2. = ais (cpa ee ee ae 3,000} 4,740 0} 4,230] 1,050} 5,580] 3,100 Belle Fourche?....| 3, 200| 1,725, 6,450 9,650) 3,300] 7,700 0| 5,900) 2,450] 5,950! 4,608 J FATT) fee ea aoe eo ee 8,300] 6, 860]....... 5,850| 3,930] 3,650|.......|..----- 5, 718 Highmore‘........ 2,300| 2,600, 27866 3,002|.......|....... [Set ce oe ee =""| a2 692 SD ARTS Og eel RE eee | 3,780] 1,787| 3,460} 4,390] 3,960|.......|-...... 3,475 Maeetstns eer sooo Solace eal 1,340 2,860] 1,532 Oboe 0| F | #2613) 1,391 1 TOLL EIST 77 eee | ea Seeger | 2,475] 5,940]. 2,805] 6,390, 4,925) 3,825).......]....... 4,393 Minnesota Amber: | Mandan! 37 <=...|2 22:20: 6,370] 1,830} 4,160} 3,220} 4,240, 4,115] 2,950/....... 6,345] 4, 154 Werligll 28 == 5.| 22-2 Seats eee: | 11,219] 7,105 6,951] 12,951| 10,394] *6,322) 9,118 Redraare 2 a2 !|o eee. 115500) 8. 100|"-20 222 7300 5,5 800s S00 | asso ee et 7, 400 Red Amber | | LETT a-eage sands Baseses| sopbonc |Get asa caesar Meera! eames 0 0} *2,611) *623 809 SUNSET Te a Ee Se eee eens 2,540] 4, 660) 0} 3,370, 870! 9,900) 3,557 Mandan!.......... cere ae 7,040} 3,760) 7,430/ 3,100] 4,240) 4,880] 2,030)....... *6,705| 4,898 dredtieldss 0. sce [ee ee 11520612 | 14,719] 9,498) H 9,095] 15,483) 11, 584] *6, 028] 11, 100 ENTREE 75 ie taal ee aa 10, 450) 13, 230)....... 8,070} 6,370] 5, zi ee ae 8, 708 } 1 Data from the records of the Office of Dry-Land Agriculture Investigations.’ 2 Data from North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletins 131, 138, and 160. 3Data from Farmers’ Bulletin 1163 up to and including 1919; other years from the records of the Office of Dry-Land Agriculture Investigations. Besides those printed in the table, the following yields of the Dakota Amber variety at Belle Fourche are in- cluded in the average for that station: 1909, 5,920 pounds; 1910, 3,860 pounds; 1912, 4,100 pounds. *Data from South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin 174. -> Data from North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletins 130 and 150. 6 Data from North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin 158. Fig. 5.—Sorghum at Redfield, S. Dak. This crop withstands drought well and competes with corn as a silage crop in the southern part of the region. oe oe St aan Re 29 BULLETIN 1244, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Where tests have been made of sorghums sown broadcast they have given somewhat larger yields than in rows, but are more quickly affected by drought. Furthermore, in broadcast sowings weeds are more troublesome and the crop is more difficult to handle. Fic. 6.—Experimental silos at Redfield, S. Dak., indicate that at least fairly good silage can be made from almost any herbaceous plant. Where the tonnage is sufficient common weeds may be used in time of necessity. In dry seasons and in the drier sections sorghums in rows may be counted upon to give more satisfactory yields. Fic. 7.—Feeding silage from experimental] silos at Havre, Mont. Where the sorghums produce a greater tonnage of dry matter than corn, they have a shea advantage for silage; but, because of its ability to produce grain in the sections where sorghum can be grown, corn is more popular as a fodder crop. FORAGE CROPS IN NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS. 2a CORN, SUNFLOWERS, AND SORGHUM FOR SILAGE. Silage is worthy of serious consideration for winter feed in any system of livestock farming, particularly dairy farming. (Figs. 6 and 7.) It has been shown that steers can be carried through the winter in good condition on corn silage alone, and when put on pasture they makerapid gains. The total acreage of corn for silage in the north- ern Great Plains area, as given in the census for 1919, was only about 17,000 acres; the total tonnage was approximately 46,000, an average of less than 3 tons per acre. The average yield per acre in South Dakota and Nebraska is somewhat greater than in Montana and North Dakota. The acreage of corn cut for silage in Montana is insignificant, and most of it is under irrigation. In the northern Great Plains, as in many other parts of the United States, corn is the most popular silage crop, although sunflowers Fic. 8.—Sunflowers at Redfield, S. Dak. Sunflowers make a good silage and can be grown where the season is too short for corn. have received increased attention for several years. Sunflowers thrive where it is too cool for corn, provided moisture conditions are ae The Mammoth Russian is the best variety available. ig. 8. The results of tests that have been conducted to ascertain the yields that may be expected of corn and sunflowers for silage in this region are shown in Table 11. | In most cases these comparative tests have not extended over a period long enough to givereally conclusive data. The average annual yields of corn for silage range from about 2 tons at Havre to 104 tons at Redfield. At Ardmore sunflowers outyielded corn in 1920, but the tonnage for both crops was about the same in 1919, 1921, and 1922. The green weight of sunflowers is somewhat higher than that of corn at Redfield, Havre, and Moccasin, but on an air-dry basis corn has exceeded sunflowers in all the tests at these points. Because corn 24 BULLETIN 1244, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. silage is more palatable and probably slightly superior in feeding value to sunflowers and because tests have demonstrated clearly that sunflowers are no more drought resistant than corn, there appears to be little justification for growing sunflowers as a dry-land silage crop over most of this region. (Fig. 9.) TaBLE 11.—Yvields of corn and sunflowers for silage at six stations in the northern Great Plains region in stated years. Yields of green material per acre (pounds). Station and crop. 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 Fite. Redfield, S. Dak.: COP is. 22s cee CA as eee Soe eee ee eae eee ee ces eens ee EO Ee sageeee 23,315 | 18,824 | 21,069 Sunflowerss< sss, |sa cos eet oss See cab eee one ae ce ee ee 24,392 | 28,745 | 25,569 Havre, Mont.:1 Corn. ont Soe |e ote os ict oa oe leaeee eee eee eae eee 2,670 | 2,495} 6,170] 4,300 3,909 — Sunflowers?) 22 <|2 sicc. os) cose ose Sense cea leee eee ae [eee eee 7,385 | 3,070] 3,595 | 3,630 4,420 Moccasin, Mont.:1 JOE 225. 855 es Soe Ss Se See Sasa Soe ee eae see ee Sees 7,449 | 6,110} 5,844 6,468 Sunflawerse i 298 leeds oss sas e See | Ra ae eee | pees eee ee eee ee 8,266 | 8,110] 5,620 7,332 Williston, N. Dak.:2 - OPN: 255.2250 58 o|skcacans [oss deeeul sacs oe Sel ae ees le aeeees 105255) (8; 680 )o2< 2 eee ee 9, 468 Sunflowers: -A2— 5 | sec se al Soe 5 es | ee ee ees 9,130 |: 9,075: (2-52 fase 9,103 — Hettinger, N.Dak.:3 Cornte ses 8,638 | 11,214 | 6,433} 2,629] 4,760 | -2,259] 6,555 899 | 10,570 | 5,995 Sheridan, Wyo.:! 12,632 Sunflowers..22. 2 25|<< 2 ces oes cs Se eee eee ee ee eee eee 14,825 | 2,280 | 20,790 1 Data from the records of the Office of Dry-Land Agriculture Investigations. 2 Datafrom North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin 158. 3 Datafrom North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin 130 and the records of the Office of Dry-Land Agriculture Investigations. ; In the mountain valleys of Montana, where the seasons are com- paratively short and the nights cool, and in the northeastern part of | North Dakota, where rainfall is more abundant, the yields that can be obtained from sunflowers may be enough greater to offset any dis- advantages. | Fic. 9.—Corn and sunflowers at Havre, Mont., in 1920, showing the effect of hot, dry weather. Sunflowers will not produce profitable yields under conditions too dry for corn. In the southern parts of the region, especially in the drier sections, certain sorghums, particularly Red Amber, ordinarily produce a greater tonnage of silage than corn, and it is practically as good for feeding purposes. FORAGE CROPS IN NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS. 25 HAY AND PASTURE CROPS. ALFALFA. Much of the alfalfa of the northern Great Plains is produced under irrigation or has been given the advantage of favorable location along creek bottoms and elsewhere. Under such conditions fairly satis- factory crops may ordinarily be depended upon, even in sections where the rainfall is not sufficient to insure profitable yields on the uplands. (Fig. 10.) However, fields of alfalfa are not uncommon even where moisture conditions are so unfavorable that the yields secured are very light. The soils in most of this region are naturally well suited to the growing of alfalfa. They are generally well supplied with nitrogen-fixing bacteria and do not require the addition of lime, as do many of the soils of the more humid sections. 7 In the eastern part of the region little difficulty is experienced in getting a stand; but toward the west the lack of sufficient moisture frequently results in the failure of new sowings, and repeated attempts pietasts a Pa sz Epo H OR I IR a Fig. 10.—A field of alfalfa at Moccasin, Mont. Under average conditions in the Judith Basin alfalfa maintains a good stand for several years. are sometimes necessary before success is attained. After the plants get well established they will stand considerable drought even though they do not make much growth. To insure success it is best to sow alfalfa in the spring, when moisture conditions are more likely to be favorable. Formerly early sowing was advised, but recent tests indicate that better stands are obtained where sowing is delayed until from May 1 to 16. This gives an opportunity to work up the land and to destroy the weeds, which give considerable trouble in most of this region. Russian thistles are frequently troublesome, but cultivation destroys them to a large extent. (Fig. 11.) VARIETIES OF ALFALFA. _ The vicissitudes of climate under which alfalfa is grown on the northern Great Plains make the subject of variety a very important one. Karly in the history of alfalfa culture in this region, interest became manifest in varieties possessing winter hardiness. It was 82537—24,——_4 26 BULLETIN 1244, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. soon found that common alfalfa, especially regional strains from Utah, Kansas, and States southward, would not withstand the very severe winter conditions that often obtam. This was quite a handicap to the extension of alfalfa growing. In 1904 the Minnesota Agricul- tural Experiment Station called attention to what is now the well- known Grimm alfalfa. This variety, a hybrid of the common blue- flowered alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and the yellow-flowered species (MM. faleata L.) and apparently adjusted to the severe winters of Car- ver County, Minn., where it had been grown in a small way for years, has gone far toward filling the need for a hardy alfalfa. It is a superior variety for the region from all agronomic standpoints. Since the advent of the Grimm variety other hybrid alfalfas have been introduced and are apparently becoming more or less popular. Among these the Cossack seems to be the best known; but carefully conducted tests have not indicated their superiority to the Grimm in any important respect. Fic. 11.—An alfalfa field invaded by Russian thistles at Havre, Mont. Russian thistles are a serious menace to young stands of alfalfa. A careful study of alfalfa on the northern Great Plains discloses the fact that inability to produce satisfactory yields under condi- tions of low rainfall is much more of a handicap to its extension than a tendency to succumb to winter conditions. The list of alfalfas yurporting to be varieties or strains suitable for the region is quite fais but the number of those actually in general use is relatively small. A great many varieties of alfalfa have been introduced from many parts of the world and have been tested at the various stations. As might be expected, a large proportion of them have shown no ad- vantages over the varieties already established. Hay-yield data are not given here for all the varieties and strains in general use. In most cases data are given only for the typical representatives of the important groups. In addition to possessing differences in win- ter hardiness, alfalfa exhibits a latitude relation which, stated briefly and generally, is that strains exhibit a tendency to produce the best results in the latitude where they are developed. Data are given in Table 12 from what have proved to be the four leading varieties FORAGE CROPS IN NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS, OT or strains of the groups they represent, namely, the Grimm, northern- own common, Kansas common, and Turkestan. One of the striking things shown in Table 12 is the small difference in the average yields of hay of the four leading alfalfas. The Grimm variety leads at all the stations except Moccasin, Mont., where it is slightly exceeded by the northern-grown common. As might be expected, the Kansas-grown common strain has been one of the lowest producers. TaBLeE 12.—Fay yields of the leading commercial varieties of alfalfa sown broad- cast or in close drills at four stations in the northern Great Plains region in stated years. [Datain pounds per acre, field cured, except that the material at Moccasin from 1916 to 1922 and at Havre from 1920 to 1922 was air dried. ] Station and variety. | 1913 | 1914 | 1915 | 1916 | 1917 | 1918 | 1919 | 1920 | 1921 | 1922 ake TATINTT See ec eee 2,300 | 4,100 | 3,100 | 2,275 | 2,040 773 0 | 2,171 | 2,130 | 2,430 | 2,132 Northern-grown common®=*2- 2-2. 2,350 | 4,600 | 2,550 | 2,238 | 2,320 943 0 | 2,647 | 2,400 | 2,440 | 2,249 Weansas: 5-5 soos. « 2,400 | 4,400 | 2,450 | 2,228 | 1,910 773 0 | 2,242 | 2,043 | 2,240 | 2,070 Turkestan.......-- 2,130 | 3,650 | 2,650 | 2,056} 2,110] 946 0 | 2,372 | 2,106 | 2,330 | 2,035 Havre, Mont (Ghibsmins 3 328 a oey se Gsoeeee base aes Se senee Se teaaers 600 513 0!/ ©) 0 | 1,019 426 Northern-grown COMET O Mae ee ro ans |e Balik Ne S| D6 213 125 () 0 | 1,042 327 RAATISAS tee ore re le een Spee t= og [sic sls 187 258 0 () 0 978 285 CUPLGeS IC gaan ale se eao ESBS Ee Beatson Beirerecees 162 233 225 | ~(2) 0 901 304 Sheridan, Wyo.: PATA eas sees | mera oe acco cclesceseclesectes 3, 180 600 | 2,040 | 1,410 | 4,140 | 2,274 Northern-g rown ODT OME ARR on Ae Ree oea SAB Ce See ees Bae eee 2,940 360 | 2,130 | 1,370 | 2,940 | 1,948 SARS ASME eer a. a sees os cwalseecek le ceceec|See ace 3, 460 300 | 2,350 | 1,050 | 3,060 | 2,044 Redfield, S. Dak.: 2 (Giinibi\ en Sees See ees ABaease ESOaae 5,780 | 3,340 | 3,590 | 3,400 | 1,855 | 4,125 | 3,706 | 3,685 Northern-grown COMI OMS ees |e veces st Sire 5, 240 | 2,840 | 2,770 | 3,400 | 1,494 | 2,712 | 3,250 | 3,101 Werner 5,080 | 2,800 | 2,510 j 2,740} 1,190 |....... 3,637 | 2,993 Bip lcesbant teed esos. ees 4,860 | 3,400 | 3,280 | 2,410 | 2,040 |.._.... 3,131 | 3,187 1 Crop very light and scattered by winds, so that no yields were obtained; not included in the averages. 2 Yieldsin 1916 to 1920 from 1914 sowing; yields in 1920 of second cutting only; yield of Grimm alfalfa in 1921 represents one cutting from treatment plat sown in 1920; yields of northern-grown commonare from uncultivated plat in cultivation test sown in 1917; yields in 1922 are from the variety test sown in 1921, second cutting only. Table 12 brings out one important fact. In several instances there are years of deficient rainfall and low yields followed by one or two years of favorable moisture when the yields run very high. This brings the average yield up to what is generally considered as fairly satistactory, but the lack of dependable yields is one of the big drawbacks to forage-crop production over much of this region. As might naturally be expected, because of the relatively high precipi- tation the best results have been consistently obtained at Redfield. A good crop has been produced there every year since 1916, when the first crop was harvested. The tests at Moccasin have been running since 1913, and during this time the plats have yielded at the rate of more than a ton per acre in all but two years. The crop was a complete failure in 1919, and less than half a ton per acre was har- vested in 1918. At Sheridan between 1918 and 1922 the yields exceeded a ton in three years out of five, and the average for the whole eriod was slightly more than a ton. At Havre about half the years rom 1917 to 1922 have resulted in practical failures, and the yields 28 BULLETIN 1244, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. for the other years have been far from satisfactory; but there was an abnormal deficiency of precipitation during this period. The following varieties and strains have been or are being tested in connection with these investigations: (1) Common strains from the various States, such as California, Arizona, Nebraska, and Kansas. (2) Alfalfas of the northern-grown common group, including Montana com- mon, Dakota common, Liscomb, and Black Hills. _(8) Utah irrigated and Utah nonirrigated. (4) Variegated alfalfas—Grimm, Baltic, Cossack, Cherno, and Ladak. (5) Medicago falcata (Siberian or yellow-flowered alfalfas), several strains. (6) Alfalfas from various foreign sources, including Turkestan, Argentina, Italy, Spain, Sweden, France (Provence), Germany, South Africa, Peru, Arabia, Chile, Mongolia, Australia, New Zealand, Palestine, Ecuador, Guatemala, and India. ALFALFA IN ROWS. A few Fe ago the growing of alfalfa in rows sufficiently wide to permit of cultivation was very generally advocated, not only for the production of seed but also for hay. This method has been tested Fic. 12.—Alfalfa in cultivated rows at Havre, Mont. This method of culture has shown no appreciable advantage over broadcast stands either for seed or hay. very thoroughly, and there are now sufficient data to show that there is no advantage in following it where there is sufficient moisture to produce a fair crop in thin broadcast or closely drilled sowings. (Fig. 12.) The results of the tests at Havre, Moccasin, Sheridan, and Mandan are given in Table 13. At Moccasin, Sheridan, and Mandan there has been practically no difference in the average yields of alfalfa grown in rows or in broad- cast plats, and what little difference there is favors close drills. It is true that seasons occur when the moisture supply is so limited that the broadcast or close-drilled sowings produce no crop while the rows do make some growth, but under such conditions yields from row sowings are usually not sufficient to pay for the cost of harvesting. During favorable seasons the growth from broadcast or close-drilled eee is enough greater to make up for the smaller crop in the ary Seasons. | | | | FORAGE CROPS IN NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS. 29 TaBLE 13.—Comparison of hay yields of alfalfa grown in rows and close drills at four stations in the northern Great Plains region in stated years. [Data in pounds per acre, field cured, except that the material at Moccasin in all years and at Havre in 1920 to 1922 was air dried.] Station and method of sowing. 1916 | 1917 | 1918 | 1919 | 1920 | 1921 | 1922 eee Moccasin, Mont.: ONESS GaSe ae es oe 3,234 | 2,868] 2,249 0 | 25938)! 25126) |-2. 840 1h 390 Rows 12inches apart.....-...---- 2,896 | 2,661} 2,146 Oo} 25973), 250285)" 2.702 2, 201 Rows 24 inches apart........----- 2,866 | 2,846 | 2,218 ATOM era O21 2, 142) | 2) 280) |e 25k Rows 30inches apart...-.-------- 3,069 | 2,662] 2,843 582} 3,032] 2,329] 2,486 2,429 Rows 36inches apart........--.-- 2,882 | 2,310] 2,859 843 | 2.771] 2,333] 2.530| 2,361 Rows 42inches apart..........-.-| 2,938 | 2,831] 2,812] .668| 2,618 | 2,394] 2,321| 2,369 Sheridan, Wyo.: Crimi, GoOsaclallepcescescsasesod |socosesd |seccscee 3, 180 600 | 2,040] 1,410} 4,140 2, 274 Grimms inc hyrow See sane seen e | sees Samo 2, 780 640 | 2,550 | 1,410| 3,720] 2,220 Remisasnclosedrilisssse nae e mere nee alee see 3, 460 300 | 2,350] 1,050] 3,060| 2,044 Keansasss5-1 ChinOwSaenee- = ener a Saeeras | ce seneee 3, 100 700 | 1,830} 1,550] 3,160 2, 068 ibocaliseed: close: drills#: 5-2-3 ese ledeiterne|s.cew eee 2, 940 360 | 2,130] 1,370} 2,940 1,948 Bocal Seeds/s0-1NCH LOWS 2. ee see = lane concise tance 2, 760 640 | 1,890] 1,090} 2,540 1, 784 Mandan, N. Dak.: 1 Closeldrills (3 2s scene eon te SeeO BLOTS 25 GO Bs C20) ea scasdlsodacocclloascsccc 5, 125 Rows 42 inches apart..-...------- GSS5OI N45 (50) Os 290) | oS) leaceeers fesse. | meee 5, 068 Havre, Mont.: @losevd ills eee tiers cote tae (Ge cee os 266 178 140 474 945} 1,290 549 Rows 24inehes apart. -.---- =|... 613 37 32 198} 1,098} 1,381 560 ROWS oun Chesapaltesse= see sos|e see ae 1, 060 199 285 Teel al ake || al Pail) 779 Rows 4 ounchesia pabktess--e-- eee oleeaa seas 1,311 444 524 940 | 1,020} 1,191 905 ows oolineches'apantess-s---4-- =s||.s4a5-6= 1, 200 726 421 710 940 | 1,165 860 | 2 1 Data from the records of the Office of Dry-Land Agriculture Investigations. At Havre, during the period of very dry years from 1917 to 1922, the results have been in favor of row sowings, but in every instance the best yields have not been more than half a ton per acre, which is below the point of profitable production. The cost of keeping the rows free from weeds and the poorer quality of hay due to the greater quantity of dust and dirt are objections to be considered seriously in growing alfalfa in rows. Alfalfa is probably grown in rows to a greater extent for seed than for hay. However, it has been quite fully proved that where the soil and climatic conditions are not favorable for seed production very little more seed will be produced from rows than from broadcast or closely drilled stands. Where the moisture supply is so scant that no seed is obtained from drilled alfalfa the yield from rows will ordinarily not be sufficient to assure a profit, except in the case of unusual varieties the seed of which commands a high market price. CULTIVATING ALFALFA. At one time disking, harrowing, or similarly cultivating alfalfa was generally recommended, in the belief that such treatment pro- longed the life of the stand, kept down the weeds, and increased the yields of hay. As a result of careful observations and a few definite plat tests it has been found that disking is actually injurious in humid districts, but the use of the so-called alfalfa harrow is still quite generally recommended. For the purpose of determining whether any sort of cultivation is justified on the northern Great Plains, tests have been carried on at Redfield and Moccasin for several years. The results of these tests are shown in Table 14. 30 BULLETIN 1244, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. TaBLe 14.—Hay yields of alfalfa in cultivation tests at Moccasin, Mont., and Redfield, S. Dak., in stated years. [Data in pounds per acre (except as stated) for field-cured material except that the material at Moccasin in 1916 to 1920 was air dried.]} TEsTS AT MOCCASIN, MONT. Treatment. 1913 | 1914 | 1915 | 1916 | 1917 | 1918 | 1919 ee Disked oncein early spring........... 2,100 | 3,400 | 3,050 | 2,450 | 2,360 | 1,016 0 2,056 No cultivation (check) ............-.- 2,575 | 3,300 | 2,925 | 1,940 | 2,075] 923 0 1,942 Disked twice in season.............--. 3,450 | 3,550 | 2,950 | 2,165 | 2,000 | 1,136 0 2,158 Disked once and harrowed in early SPHIEE ose sehn eee eee eee 3,550 | 3,900 | 2,825 | 2,045 | 1,860 887 0 2,147 No cultivation (check) .............-- 3,300 | 3,450 | 2,600 | 1,940 | 2,145 | 1,059 0 2,103 Disked twice and harrowed in early |- oy ay ihe ae ea oe ae ee Pe ,325 | 3,650 | 2,850 | 2,100 | 2,085 | 1,189 0 2, 225 ! TESTS AT REDFIELD, S. Dak. | Average, all years. Treatment. 1917 1918 1919 | 1920 1921 1922 | Pounds.| Tons. No cultivation (check). -2.2-2.:--225: 6,025 | 2,612] 2,837 | 5,100] 2,712] 4,052] 3,890 1.94 Harrowed (spring tooth) in early SPH. 2 35 Ss Le ae Sere sere eae 6,175 | 3,025 | 2,562] 5,162] 2,525] 4,025] 3,912 1.9+ Harrowed (spring tooth) in early spring and after each cutting....... 6,175 | 2,875 | 2,425] 4,887] 2,387] 3,671 | 3,737 1.8+ Disked twice in early spring...-...... 6,325 | 2,875 | 2,562) 4,987] 2,425] 4,386] 3,927 1.9+ Disked twice in early spring and alter cachicut ting: 9226s seer 6,775 | 2,850 | 2,162} 5,012) 2,137 | 3,547 | 3,747 1.8+ These data show quite clearly that the cultural treatments in the cases here recorded have practically no effect, since the differences in the yields of all the plats, whether treated or untreated, are easily within the limits of experimental error. It therefore appears that there is nothing to be gained by cultivating alfalfa grown without irrigation in this region. TIME OF CUTTING ALFALFA. It is important that the proper treatment be given alfalfa after a gzood stand has been obtained. Some of the tests indicate that it is better to let the alfalfa go throughout the first season without cutting, regardless of the weed growth. Under such treatment a larger root system is developed the first year, and the growth of weeds and alfalfa furnishes winter protection. Such treatment appears especially beneficial in a very dry period. With an abundance of moisture it apparently makes little difference whether or not the plants are clipped during the first season. After the first year the time of cutting is of considerable importance. Cutting very early in the stage of de- velopment or too frequently is quite certain to shorten the life of the stand. Better yields are obtained over a period of years and the stand is maintained in better condition where the cutting is delayed until the plants are well in bloom. It is true that cuttings made at an early stage have a higher feeding value, but there is compensation in the better yields where the cuttings are made later. Care should also be taken to avoid cutting too late in the season. In many parts of the region the winter injury is often severe when a cutting has been made so late in the season that the plants do not have time to recover before the growing season ends. s 7 yee ‘ves SL hay A Aa A aan | nos | FORAGE CROPS IN NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS. 81 ALFALFA SEED PRODUCTION. The production of alfalfa seed is a rather important industry in various parts of this region. In the vicinity of the Black Hills, S. Dak., and in the Milk River Valley, Mont., fair to good crops are usually obtained. More or less seed is produced over most of the region when seasonal conditions are favorable. Jn the eastern part of the area, however, satisfactory seed crops can not be depended upon. ALFALFA WITH AND WITHOUT A NURSE CROP. For several years experiments have been conducted to determine whether a nurse crop can be profitably used in sowing alfalfa in this region. ‘The general conclusion reached is that where the ulti- mate object is to obtain a good stand of alfalfa it is safer to sow it alone. While good results follow the use of the nurse crop in many cases, complete failures are not uncommon. [Everything depends upon the season. If there is an abundance of moisture in the soil the chances are in favor of practically as good a stand with as with- out a nurse crop. But if the season is dry the results are likely to be disastrous. Table 15 gives the results of tests that have been conducted with nurse crops at the various stations. TasBLe 15.—Hay yields of alfalfa with and without a nurse crop at three stations in the northern Great Plains region in stated years. [Datain pounds per acre, weights at Moccasin being those ofair-dry material. Yieldsin each case are from sowings made the previous year except that those at Sheridan in 1919 were from sowings made in 1917 and all yields at Moccasin were from sowings made in 1915.} Station and method of sowing. 1916 | 1917 | 1918 | 1919 | 1920 | 1921 | 1922 | Aver- Redfield, S. Dak.: PNM falar olOnehe cit acces ne ee Se 3,695 | 1,925] 1,500 (1) 2,025 | 6,087 3,046 Aifalfarwath wiheateassss--- ses. -|sscoste 4,450 0 0 1 1,837 | 6,475 2,552 Mfalfaawathvoa tsa sos oe ses a ean.) cccee e's 4,360 0 0 (1) 2,012] 6,256 2,526 aa lia Wath Darley sere . Te ie Ae cad eae eee Oe eae 1,600 | 3,000 | 1,580 | 3,480 | 2,415 Hettinger, N. Dak.:* | | Line ee ken ee 1,500 | 4,500 | 3,438 | 5,620 | 1,920 | 2,800 |..-.-..].....-- | 3,296 Ardmore, S. Dak.: | | URS SS ee ae ea 4,670 | 3,420 |.------ Ae 380583, 87021 4; 370) |e =| saa 4,132 Reherigneets yt on cae as oe BS OsUThas0710 (2-5-5 AUTO; | 3 6308 ACO aaa fee eae 4,196 Pommon.-= esas es Get aa 3-630:3 5200 122.5. ~.| A270: |'3-380:|-3,970:)2.-2 522|e ee 3, 680 Goldene == 4 bee aety (4630 13 350)|-2 5. 22 = 13780 162° 770> | AHO 10: (sc... eee 3,840 1 Data from the records of the Office of Dry-Land Agriculture Investigations. 2 Datafrom North Dakota Experiment Station Bulletins 138 and 160. 3 Data from North Dakota Experiment Station Bulletins 130 and 150. SUDAN GRASS. There are no data on the acreage of Sudan grass in the region, but it is grown to some extent, nee eee in southern South Dakota and northern Nebraska. Like the other members of the sorghum eroup it does not thrive in cool weather. The yields of Sudan grass for the most part have been less than those of sorghum or millet. Table 17 gives the results that have been obtained at various experi- ment stations during the past few years. The highest average yields, 3 and 4 tons per acre, have been obtained _at Redfield and thelowest average, about one-fourth ton per acre, at Havre. The average yields at Moccasin are also very low, less than one-half ton per acre. Results reported at other points for the most part range from about 1 to 14 tons per acre, which in general is appreciably less than the millet yields for the same stations. Except at Redfield, Ardmore, and Williston the yields from row sowings and from broadcast or close-drilled sowings are very similar. In dry seasons Sudan grass gives the best results when sown in rows, but when moisture conditions are favorable broadcast or close-drilled _sowings give better yields. While a longer season than is found in most of the region is required for the best growth of Sudan grass, it possesses possibilities in the more favorable situations south of North Dakota. (Fig. 14.) 34 BULLETIN 1244, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. TABLE 17.—Comparison of hay yields of Sudan grass when sown broadcast or in closely drilled plats and in cultivated rows at 10 stations in the northern Great Plains region in stated years. [Datain pounds per acre, field cured, except that the material was air dried at Redfield and Moccasinin 1922 and at Havre in 1921 and 1922. F= Killed by frost—not considered in the averages. } Station and method of sowing. Moccasin , Mont.: ROWS 4 bees eee ‘Broadeast- 4 42 Redfield ,S. Dak.: ROWS 2 2 5-2 eee ee Closedrilisessa= 2-2. Sheridan , Wyo. ROWS: ssccaee ess ee Close‘dnills=------ = ee Hettinger, N.Dak.:3 Havre, Mont.: ROWS 222 eet tweens Broad cast=s25--0- eee Ardmore, S. Dak.: 1 Data from 2Data from 3’ Data from Data from 5 Data from | | 1912 | 1913 | 1914 1915 | 1916 | 1917 | 1918 | 3,215) 1,830 3,140) 2,730 is | 1, 640 5 | 0) ge 7 | 0 3,211) 7, 220) 1,767) 4,117 7,200) 8,090) 5,625) 6, 725) 4,180 ae 4,950) sats ote 2, 940! Se | 820) 2,660 ee | = 3,140 : 8 1, 140) 0 ‘ 160 820 F 5,180 2, 188) 4,050, 1,768 we Or 5,115) 2,255 4,510, 6,300 0 4,590 4,180 3, 980 3) 670 1919 | 1920 | 1921 Eee o| F iS Ste | 0} oF 5,161| 5,537| 7,100 5 oA 7. 775| 8. 281 2,560] 1,110|...... 3,310 { DASLLateee 0) 2.330) 490 0| 2 a 260 et 2,800] 1, 100 5 eat | 2” 600! 1’080 1,800! 1,580|...... | By hag orgs o| o| 934 0 9 1,017 3,295] 2,100)...... T Soot. BO}Seeee 2, 430| 2,820!...... 1) 880| 5, 830|_.._.- Aver- 1922 age. 2,860) 4, 622 4,562) 6, 754 651 623 the records of the Office of Dry-Land Agriculture Investigations. North Dakota Experiment Station Bulletin 160. North Dakota Experiment Station Bulletins 130 and 150. South Dakota Experiment Station Bulletin 174. North Dakota Experiment Station Bulletin 158. Sudan grass at Redfield, S. Dak. This crop withstands drought well and will compete with millet as far north as the southern part of North Dakota ne FORAGE CROPS IN NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS. 35 SWEET CLOVER. No statistics are available on the total area of land in sweet clover, but the acreage of all clovers in the region is not great. However, more and more attention is being given to sweet clover, and in the drier sections it is practically the only clover used. Its chief value in this region is as a pasture crop (fig. 15). Ordinary white sweet clover (Melilotus alba) is the species most commonly grown, though one of the yellow-flowered species (M. officinalis) is of considerable importance in some sections. The latter variety is apparently more hardy and seems capable of withstanding more drought. It has the additional advantage of producing a finer growth, which is a very desirable characteristic where hay is considered. There are, however, strains of white sweet clover, such as the Arctic, which appear fully as hardy as the yellow-flowered species. Fig. 15.—A field of sweet clover at Moccasin, Mont. This crop is increasing in popularity for forage. It is somewhat too coarse for first-class hay, but makes excellent pasturage. As sweet clover in this region normally does not produce much of a hay crop until the second seasonit is advantageous to sow it with some nurse crop which will give at least a small return from the land the year the seed is sown. For this reason nurse crops have been used in most of the experiments. Table 18 gives the results that have thus far been obtained. It is shown clearly that better yields are obtained and failures to get a stand are less frequent where sweet clover is sown alone. However, it is questionable if the difference in average yields over a period of years is sufficient to offset the failure to get any return from the land the year the seed is sown. As a nurse crop for sweet clover, barley appears to be the least desirable of all the small grains. Flax is probably the safest, since such evidence as is available indicates that flax is not so hard on the sweet-clover seedlings as the grains. 36 BULLETIN 1244, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. TasBLeE 18.—Hay yields of sweet clover sown alone and with nurse crops at four stations in the northern Great Plains region in stated years. [Datain pounds per acre, field cured, except that the material at Moccasin was air dried in 1921 and 1922.] Station and method of sowing. 1915 | 1916 | 1917 | 1918 | 1919 | 1920 | 1921 | 1922 es > Redfield, S. Dak.: Sweet cloyer-alone..2.0st-ed-:- te |52-45--teeee = 23,700 | 2,087 | 1,900 0 | 4,862 | 7,587 | 3,556 Sweet ClOVer Wiuh-wihent--c.2-s-62 ees - costae eoee 4,452 0 | 1,150 0 | 2,850 | 6,487 | 2,490 Sweet clover: with oats.c- 322222 22:|2---ees|os- ose 4,417 0 | 1,225 0 | 4,137 | 7,612 | 2,899 Sweet clover with barley--......-.|...-.--|-.----- 3, 643 0 875 0 | 3,500 | 4,062 | 2,013 Moceasin, Mont.: Sweet clover:alone seas. sa-8 5204s see 3 4,500 | 2,960 | 3,441 798 0 | 7,114 | 4,029 | 3,263 Sweet Clover wilblt Oats-5 . cqcecese lense 2,700 | 1,680 | 2,499 605 0 | 6,619 | 3,148 |" 2,464 Sweet clover with barley.......-...|-.----- 3,020 | 1,660 | 2,381 715 O | 5,203 | 2,228 | 2,172 Sheridan, Wyo.: Sweet clover alone: {2 25 eC ae ee eee 5, 420 | 2,200 0 560 O| 1,636 Sweet clover with barley..-...-.__|.------|.------ ae ote | 1,680 | 800 0| 170 0 530 Williston, N. Dak.:1 Sweet clover alone........--..:.-- 7,380 | 7,485 | 2,250 | 675 835 S467 aos. Folie | 3,244 1 Data from North Dakota Experiment Station Bulletin 158. 2 A crop of hay which yielded at the rate of 3,235 pounds per acre was taken in the fall of 1916 from the platssownalone. The late harvesting ofthese plats accounts for the low yield obtained on them in 1917 as compared with the plats sown with a nurse crop. 5 There seems to be an impression that sweet clover is more drought resistant than alfalfa, but when given the same conditions it is doubtful whether there is any appreciable difference. Sweet clover ordinarily has more moisture to draw on, as it usually follows some shallow-rooted or a clean-cultivated crop, while alfalfa remains on the land several years and draws heavily on the soil moisture. There is, however, little difference in the average yields of sweet clover and alfalfa. At Redfield sweet clover sown alone has averaged about 12 tons per acre and at Moccasin and Williston about 14 tons. At Sheridan the average yield is about three-fourths of a ton per acre, but in 1920 and 1922 there were complete failures. At Havre the results have been even less satisfactory than at Sheridan. The failures have been so frequent and the yields have been so light during the past five years that the crop has not been profitable. At Ard- — more sweet clover has been unable to compete with alfalfa. Some tests have been conducted comparing sweet clover in close drills and in rows. While the results are slightly in favor of sowing in rows, the difference is not great enough to be really significant. As is the case with alfalfa, where the moisture supply is so light that the drilled plats do not make any growth, the yield from rows will not ordinarily be enough to justify the additional labor involved in keeping down the weeds. ‘Furthermore, the hay from rows is often objection- able because of the dirt and dust collected with it. Comparative results from these two methods of sowing are given in Table 19. TaBLE 19.—Comparison of hay yields of sweet clover grown in rows and close drills at Mandan and Sheridan in stated years. | Where noyields are recorded, nostand was obtained the previous season or else the plants were winterkilled.] Yields per acre, field cured (pounds). Station and method ofsowing. |——>——— LSE EL SS OS es 1914 | 1915 1916 | 1917 | 1918 | 1919 | 1920 | 1921 | 1922 | “Ver Mandan, N. Dak.:! ROwis sac ve ceie aso aeeiae 2,500 0 | 1,600 | 1,300 0 | 2,470 a Fy ees oe Close GnIS Sots: vane aaneee 2, 200 0 | 5,150 0 0 | 2,510 O°) LT SL6 Seca. conse Sheridan, Wyo.: Rows ea eed Seas. oe Mery eh ee ee 2655 7500051 25100 0 | 1,200 0} 2,060 DOSS OTIIS: oa osnaeeeeeeen Jan-e-s- Petrie: ea 5,420 | 2, 200 0 0! 1,636 ' From the records of the Office of Dry-Land Agriculture Investigations. “ CS at ee CAD tee Oa) obtained at Redfield and Dickinson. At Redfield the average pee: FORAGE CROPS IN NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS. 37 FIELD PEAS. The acreage of field peas cut for forage in the northern Great Plains is very small. According to the last census, only 30,000 acres were harvested for this purpose. Most of this acreage is credited to North Dakota. The area grown for seed outside of the irrigated districts is practically negligible. Karly hét weather is a decidedly detrimental factor to the field-pea crop in the southern part of the region, and to the west the rainfall is too low to make profitable yields reasonably certain. Table 20 gives the results with field peas at the various experiment stations. TABLE 20.—Forage yields of field-pea varieties at five stations in the northern Great Plains region in stated years. ' [W= Yields not taken because of weeds—not considered in-the averages.] Yields per acre, field cured (pounds). Station and variety. l 1915 | 1916 | 1917 | 1918 | 1919 | 1920 | 1921 | 1922 | Ver ge. Havre, Mont.: PISO «pecs sacdoscospegseSonssodd bSoadee| ldeaacce UMisesecse 515] 1,950} W 1,550 | 1,004 (ORM Gigi. 1 oaks 5 Sheshe ac eceesa=sm|leooonay laoaaods iecesace 330] 1,350} W |1,4 770 REAR ON Stee nea ae mip ee i Oi eee ee 345 | 1,775) W_ | 1,300 855 GUC Waite cossos eR cccsser SAReoeS Beeesee OU saseser NG SS 2S. 5P | Sete cee 980 830 Redfield, S. Dak.: Lt S BEE RERSESe SSE ees es eae ae 1,927 | 2,132 | 2,650 | 3,125 | 4,125 | 2,262 | 4,787 | 3,001 RCN CH. JUNC2. \oba sscese sc cosets | see es 1,677 | 2,486 | 3,050 | 2,875 ].....-. 2,150 | 4,421 | 2,777 Serlidow V inle=--<-e2e2 226 o225652%4-|.-.- 2: 1,225 | 2,887 | 2,000 | 2,900 | 3,537 | 2,287 | 5,256 | 2,870 Moccasin, Mont.: MGRISCD 2 Sake asl eees ees = 8 | 3, 630 | 3,718 | 1,767 | 3,988 358 | 1,636 | 1,651 | 3,507 | 2,532 RSICLOM Sse asan. Ste ro a roe > eS 2,800 | 3,432 | 1,555 | 3,823 303 | 2,076 | 1,307 | 2,475 | 2,221 PatAgON = =222>-> 222 Papen. 2 |e oF. 3,652 | 1,720] 4,400] 309] 1,856] 1,169 | 3,300] 2,344 eridenav ine: t= c5 ees 2,2 s|25. es 2,376 | 1,461 | 2,970| 172] 1,746 | 1,100 | 2,476| 1,757 Dickinson, N. Dak.: LR Sy eee ee Ace 5 ae eee ieee 4,389 | 1,309 | 4,040| 3, 246 PEDRO oso25 5 ee0seaedse 2 2ees0Sg |s555es6) ecssone||saooncn|lososaoq|ocamcad= 4,150 | 1,067 | 4,103 | 3,107 ‘GREBOR fe seeSoacosensoue S465 5e5o0 Acobe ee es85e Smdbsane lsooboss lpsoccar 4,256 | 1,232 | 4,437 | 3,308 Sheridan, Wyo | UGRIRGIA = baccinane Sbnqoans =. a0nbood |bosese a Sap eaee 1,113 966 Ol ese meme 846 | 1,640 913 GOLdEHE Vitesse ees one serosa es ce] 3 " Joy SUISBoD0;, Pious aeons ee yiccg see (ses 8S vI8 006 OO Deri teal iy tes PCS mo eda OFF 829 Wot AL Oliviter tape acine Rese o “STP esopo ‘Ay OUT, GEC een eSG I Camp So/: tlic ng er ses ys OSG 008% 55 008) Lys li ane oa pat naan Cc Len em Eire 0 7omeee Ne OB ena OS 2p wal (02 Tecan anne “‘STTIPesopo‘sseis Yeo 10 pUdTS SLOG weal RSSO nee GOO mar sleneme waa[Eer n° Oat | OO Si | OOO eC nei oss °% | 029°% | oTs‘s | O¢Z SOr‘T | O8r‘e | O9G‘T [777777 ""]°°77> “ST[Tapesofo ‘ssvis ouLOIg YBN ‘MOSUL ORG tw faPeeeaoay ee Godage 0 CR ae (para enes oze‘T | 789‘°% | o28‘T | 92T‘T | 006 O86. Utara ylbr ay cies aNd ana ee ca Al os Ag Hp al| ged eS SIIMp asojo ‘Sst.id oULOIg eyed *N ‘10801} 90H UG) Came OUGi liee|OSB es | NCSZ) En O80), S 2 OOCCee MOOS a iIK OU, Che lesen tall amma (9 cone canal vad ag seep eal | ameaenealiie as FPR Tas oer aI Res SMOI‘SSRIZ JOYA Poqsaly Cl, ‘Z Bie os eek Sa ae Te Hi goartre: ator e aeistatas Ronee Sine oo ocGolac seeueichy Sores cielo Pale coal Tea at esl Tee AEN ook aS BOL Sseie .oOU MaopUoTS £98 ‘I 009‘T | OO8‘T | OFF OOS ie IOS ye leen | MOST: OO Ginteu |aoniais css earn seep aueinats eR hoes Serr ae SN aenes satiate were nae mcieol mea a le ce eS [LED OSOlOw Stila DLL OLE LEGG O88 ‘T Ore T OLF OZI ‘Z 06F ‘% 016% (0527 hat ae (het eases el Ines ica ee Zaps eee SER ROE FT esd yp | a HRMS haart x seek arr esis ig Wale WRU Rae ty Cea Re SMOI‘SSBIB OULOIg ‘ ‘ ¢ ‘ ‘ ‘ é é é ‘ ¢ ‘ 6 ‘ 3+ Med iN LEASH O.ENSTNT Gylie eee Se BocH cme dion armor e99‘S | ¢22‘T | €1z‘T | os2‘r | 008‘ | sec’e | 88c‘% | 096° | 8Ec‘T | GZE‘T | 88%°F | S18 | 000°E |----” ** SITMp OSofo ‘ssvid Ouro, 1 ¥ed *N ‘Aopospa. se zcer | 16x | ozet | eter | ster | ztet | oter | ster | Fter | eter | ster | iter | ofet | 6o6t | s06T | 206t -doro pur woreig [‘sosvioAe oy} UI popnyout you—jrey Aq poAosjsoq=}]T “[eeyeur AIp-1re uO paseq o10M (x) IBIS B YJIM poyreUL s}[Nsos oy} Yeqy Jdeoxe ‘porno pyoy ‘osoe Jod spunod ur eyeq] ‘supah payojs ur uorbas suid] g yoaiQ) ay} Ur suorypis zybra yo sassp1B ayz fo spjarh fivy7—gzZ ATAV I, 49 BULLETIN 1244, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, The average hay yields of brome grass and the wheat grasses range from 1 to 14 tons at Mandan and Edgeley and about half a ton at Hettinger and Havre. The Ardmore results are not. shown in the table, but the yield has averaged about 0.9 ton per acre. While complete failures are not common, there are years when the yields on the dry lands in the western part of the region are so low as hardly to justify harvesting. There appears to be little difference in the yields obtained from slender wheat grass, awnless brome grass, .and crested wheat grass, but crested wheat grass compares favorably with other grasses. Ordinarily, slender wheat grass gives its best yields the first year or two after sowing. In the driest sections these grasses sown in rows produce slightly higher yields than in drilled plats, but the difference is seldom suffi- cient to compensate for the greater labor involved in keeping down the weeds. Furthermore, brome grass when sown in rows soon spreads until it approximates a broadcast stand. There is also more difficulty in harvesting the hay, which is likely to be dusty and dirty. The row method of culture for perennial grasses has not offered suffi- cient promise to make it popular. BROME GRASS AND ALFALFA. The opinion prevails that alfalfa and brome grass sown together will give a better yield than either sown alone. It is also claimed that when the alfalfa dies out the brome grass fills in the vacant places and maintains the stand. For the purpose of determining the advantages or disadvantages of such a practice, tests have been con- ducted at various points. The results of these tests are given in Table 24. TABLE 24.—Comparison of the hay yields of alfalfa sown alone, of awnless brome grass sown alone, and of these two crops sown as a mixture, at three stations in the Great Plains region in stated years. [Data in pounds per acre, field cured, except that the material at Moccasin was air dried in all years.] Station and crop. 1916 | 1917 1918 | 1919 | 1920 | 1921 | 1922 ae age. a a OS EES Redfield, S. Dak.: Alfalis alone 7.2. coc en- bose sean pees 3,190 | 3,530] 2,650} 4,470} 1,770] 4,575 3, 364 Alfalfa and brome grass. --...-.-..]-------. 4,660 | 3,110] 2,390} 2,420 3,750} 2,872 Moccasin, Mont.: Alfalfa alone. Sop cacsas woe oae 2,795} 2,990] 1,443 0} 2,731] 2,146] 3,060 2,166 Alfalfa and brome grass.-......... 2,700 | 2,960} 1,144 0} 2, 2,077 | 2,930 2,068 Mandan, N. Dak.:1 ‘Alfalfa alone) eo ee $3601 3,900 [ 4,610}: 3:640')....-co ee ee 5, 125 Alfalfa and brome grass....--.-... 6,950 |. 2,350) 2.7004 375020i|-SWccecsfaneomamc|eneecees 3, Brome Prass slone: ce. o-- 5. ses ee 4,900] 1,350) 1,450:}-1,500t.. 2 een eaten ete 2,300 1 Data from the records of the Office of Dry-Land Agriculture Investigations. The table shows that the yields of alfalfa alone have been appre- ciably better than the mixture. The first year after sowing there is not much difference in the yields; in fact, in some cases the mixture yielded more than alfalfa alone. During the succeeding years at all the stations the results favored alfalfa alone. It is true the mixture cures more easily, but except in the extreme eastern part of the region curing seldom presents any serious problems in the northern Great Plains. The mixture of alfalfa and brome grass in plat tests gave higher yields than brome grass alone at Mandan. FORAGE CROPS IN NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS. 43 / RED AND ALSIKE CLOVERS. Comparatively little red clover or alsike clover is grown alone in the region; and most of this is found in the western part, where water is available for irrigation, and is generally grown in mixture with timothy. Neither of these clovers is suited to dry-land conditions, as they can not withstand any extended period of drought. At Edgeley, which with the exception of Redfield is the most favorably located with regard to moisture of any of the dry-land experiment stations in this region, the yields have been far from satisfactory. During the years 1908 to 1919 the average production of red-clover hay was only a little over half a ton per acre. Within this period there were five complete failures and only three years of satisfactory yields. The failures, for the most part, were due to winterkilling. The results at Dickinson have been somewhat better, as no com- plete failures were reported during the years 1908 to 1914, but only one really good crop was obtained in that time. The average yield for the period was only slightly above four-fifths of a ton per acre. The results are shown in Table 25. TaBLE 25.—Hay yields of red clover at Edgeley and Dickinson, N. Dak., in stated years. Yields per acre, field cured (pounds). Station. | ; 1908 | 1909 | 1910 | 1911 | 1912 | 1913 | 1914 | 1915 | 1916 | 1917 | 1918 | 1919 | Aver oY. Edgeley1............ 550| 0} 850); Oj|- 0| 500 2, 480 2,300 [5,940 |1,300; 0 | 0] 1,160 Dickinson 2.......... 4,500 | 460 }1,250 | 300 |1,340 |1,860 1,900 |......).-..--J-----.[2.----f--- 1,659 1 Data from United States Department of Agriculture Bulletin 991. 2 Datafrom North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin 110. TIMOTHY AND CLOVER. Timothy and clover mixed are grown to some extent in some of the irrigated valleys in the western part of the region. The mixture can not compete with other crops under dry-land conditions. GRAIN HAY. Very few tests have been conducted with small grains for forage, since they are used for hay only incidentally. In normal seasons there are other crops that will produce as much forage, or perhaps more. However, there are seasons when the small grains are of considerable importance. Yields of hay from the various grains, _ obtained at Havre and Moccasin, are given in Table 26. These are _ the only points at which yield data have been obtained. At Moccasin barley has given a higher yield of forage than any other small grain. The lowest yield was less than one-half ton, in 1919, a very unfavorable year, and the highest about 2 tons, in 31922. _ At Havre the average yields during the past five years have been hardly enough to justify growing such crops. The lowest yield was one-fourth ton of barley in 1922 and the highest 1 ton of oats in 1918. It should be remembered, however, that these seasons have £ Be a ee ee 44 BULLETIN 1244, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. been extremely unfavorable. With normal seasonal conditions the results would be very different. The data available are not sufficient to determine with any degree of definiteness which of the small grains may be expected to give the best yields. Farther east, where moisture conditions are more favorable, proportionately greater yields might be expected. The total weights of grain and straw from crops harvested for grain may be taken as a basis for estimating the yields. These yields are probably 20 to 30 per cent greater than when the crop is cut in the very soft dough stage, which is generally considered the best stage for hay. TABLE 26.—Yields of grain cut for hay at Moccasin and Havre, Mont., in stated years. | Yields per acre (pounds). Station and crop. Held ged Air-dry material. Average. 1917 1918 | 1919 1920 | 1921 | 1922 Moccasin Oats CAE e as ere ere 2,098 2,983 1,073 1, 224 2, 294 2,915 2,098 Wheat. 22-5 ee eee 2,357 3,919 903 1,920 2,667 2,888 2,442 Barley. cece mee oe eee 2,805 4,469 847 2,159 2, 229 3, 988 2,749 Havre: OBtSES Ae ERS ae oe ie | eS 1,980 912 1, 654 980 1,140 1,333 WiNGS te a Ser es Se eee ae ae 1,760 842 992 1,040 630 1,053 Barley 1,850 664 1,528 775 540 iE The average total weights of grain and straw are approximately as follows: Havre—wheat three-fifths of a ton, oats one-half of a ton; Ardmore and Dickinson—wheat 14 tons, oats 14 tons; Moccasin and Mandan—wheat 2 tons. These yields, in general, are somewhat less than those of corn fodder. MISCELLANEOUS CROPS. RAPE AND KALE. Under favorable conditions rape and kale may have some value as pasture crops for hogs. They have produced fairly satisfactory yields when moisture conditions were favorable. Rape has out- yielded kale early in the season, but kale appears to be able to with- stand a longer period of dry weather. At Redfield, in 1920 and 1921, — rape averaged 7.3 tons and kale 7.8 tons of green material per acre. At Dickinson rape when harvested in the Fall averaged somewhat — over 9 tons per acre in 1920, 1921, and 1922. In 1922 kale yielded at the rate of 9 tons per acre and rape at the rate of 7 tons per acre. Neither rape nor kale has so far Aoite much at Havre or Moccasin. © ROOT CROPS, Up to now root crops have contributed very little to the forage — resources in the northern Great Plains region. With a view to procur- — ing more definite data as regards the possibilities of root crops for | winter forage, tests have been conducted at several points in the © region. Table 27 gives the results by years for one of the best-— known varieties each of mangels, rutabagas, and carrots. BON beac FORAGE CROPS IN NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS. 45 TABLE 27.— Yields of root crops at four stations in the northern Great Plains region in stated years. Yields per acre (pounds). Station and crops. 1920 1921 | 1922 | Average. Redfield, S. Dak.: | Mangel (Mammoth: Long Red) <<. 22 =. 222.4 -- sssaae noses 61, 160 34,952 27 , 352 41,155 Parco (NEastodon). en a oak etter. cea TEL EFL 19,635] 10,120 5,499 11,751 Rutabaga (Hurst’s Monarch)............-.....--.-.-.-.---- 18, 538 5, 032 3,930 9, 167 SIRE TS [OC oe cacao eee ben eed eomecece Sa eaee Haan ease ee 27,390 16,995 10,192 18, 192 Dickinson, N. Dak.: Mansel @Mammothstonrehed)= o-. = 2. cm-.n-m oem tara 2 as 12,952 3,272 17, 400 11, 208 Carrgp@MeAsCOuor eee eee ens eee ee see ents 7, 887 1,435 4,640 4,654 Rutabaga (Hurst’s Monarch)................-.-.-.------.-- 7,156 2,985 13,320 7,820 Sugar beet.......---.---------+-++++ +++ 22222 eeee eee e eee 8,517 1,835} 10,000 6,784 Havre, Ment.: Mangel (Mammoth Long Red).--..--..-.-.-.-.------ sane 9,130 14, 190 10, 862 11, 394 Carroti@Mastod om)eanms teres: 22 ea aas shear Sua aascee (4) (1) (Dine ast eas. Riana ca, CELUEStS MONALCH))2<2-. mae ae Seah eens CE Se 2, 508 (2) 2,310 2, 409 SURG SEGE ss co dat coon seaeene Eat oa Hea eee maaee. | 7, 260 11, 660 8, 727 9, 216 Moccasin, Mont. : Mange (Manimioth: Bongsited) =. 3 --- eis. 2 oo oe ae meena) 1,485 1, 953 | 3,383 CarroG@Mastodon)ar me ceeea sees mae an sas aces een 2,860 853 Qi 1,857 Rtas gal GELurst;Se Monarchy) Sas essen season cee as ore 5,995 3,135 7,095 5,408 1 Eaten by iack rabbits—not considered in the averages. 2 Destroyed by aphis—not considered in the averages. The experiments here reported have covered a period not long enough to be conclusive, but they indicate that fairly satisfactory yields can be expected in much of the region. As root crops furnish succulent green feed for winter, they come in competition with corn and other silage crops. Corn silage has a higher feeding value than roots, and where a satisfactory yield of corn can be obtained it will ordinarily be grown in preference to them. Furthermore, the cost of growing root crops is much more than the cost of growing most silage crops. A good deal of hand labor is required in thinning and hoeing them, and unless the farmer has a family of children or can procure very cheap hand labor the cost of growing any considerable acreage is almost prohibitive. Where the soil continues to be dry for some time after planting, poor germination commonly results. Getting satisfactory stands in the drier parts of the region is an important agronomic problem. At Redfield, Edgeley, and Havre the yields of root crops have considerably exceeded those of corn for silage. However, it is questionable if the difference at Redfield and Edgeley is sufficient to compensate for the lower feeding value and the greater cost of growing the root crops. At Havre, regardless of the very dry seasons, mangels have pro- duced much heavier yields than corn or sunflowers, and it appears worth while to give them serious consideration. While the yields of such silage crops as corn and sunflowers are low at Moccasin, they have given a greater tonnage on the average than any of the root crops. It appears from these tests that root crops can not be expected to contribute much to the forage resources of the Judith Basin. Mangels have far outyielded all other root crops in all the tests except those conducted at Moccasin, and they have been free from attacks by insects and jack rabbits. Three varieties are being tested— Mammoth Long Red, Danish Sludstrup, and Golden Tankard. 46 BULLETIN 1244, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, (Fig. 18.) Mammoth Long Red has given the heaviest yields at Redfield and Moccasin, but it has been slightly outyielded by the ~ Golden Tankard at Edgeley, Dickinson, and Hayre. Sugar beets stand next to mangels in tonnage per acre at Redfield and at Havre. The varieties of rutabagas tested at the various stations are American Purple Top, Carter’s Hardy Swede, and Hurst’s Monarch. Moccasin is the only station where rutabagas have produced greater average yields than mangels. The American Purple Top has given the best yields at Redfield, Hurst’s Monarch at Moccasin, and Carter’s Hardy Swede at Dickinson and Havre. Sugar beets have not compared with mangels in yield but on the average have outyielded other root crops except at Dickinson. Three varieties of carrots are being tested— Mastodon, Oxheart, and Improved Long Orange. At Havre and Moccasin, however, jack rabbits have destroyed the crop on several occasions. The yields of field turnips have been so unsatisfactory that they have not been included in the table. From all data available it appears that mangels show the greatest possibilities of any of the root crops for this region. Fic. 18—Mangels grown at Redfield, S. Dak. Root crops should be grown more extensively than at present. A small acreage of mangels may usually be depended upon to produce a satisfactory yield of good succulent forage even in very dry seasons. A SUMMATION OF THE POSSIBILITIES OF FORAGE PRODUCTION. The investigations herein recorded, covering as they do in some cases periods of 10 years, have gone far toward throwing light on the cultivated-forage possibilities of the northern Great Plains. It is evident that the native ranges and hay lands must be supple- mented by cultivated forage crops if livestock raising is to become an important modification of grain farming. There are not many such crops from which to choose; but there are those which, when given as good conditions as can be provided, are sufficiently dependable in most of the region, even in the drier parts, to encourage at least to a moderate degree the inclusion of livestock raising in the pie grain-farming system. ‘Tonnage and palatability are about the only qualifications that are actually required. Any cultivated forage mane therefore, that will produce a fairly good and dependable yield and is sufficiently palatable to be eaten by livestock with more or less avidity is regarded as suitable. ee et ee mI F | 4 ieee vie fF FORAGE CROPS IN NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS. 47 Corn meets these requirements and is the leading cultivated forage crop. Its mereasing popularity is due to its performance during years of exceedingly unfavorable weather conditions and to the dis- semination of early-maturing and otherwise better adapted varieties. For fodder, certain of the sorghums, especially strains of Amber, give a somewhat heavier yield than corn in in southern part of the region, but in general they can not compete with corn cea of central South Dakota. Furthermore, the grain of sweet sorghums is not particu- larly valuable for feeding, and even in the sections where these sorghums yield in excess of corn, whatever advantage they may possess over corn in this respect is confined to the making of silage. Where corn will mature grain m average years—and this is the case over most of the northern Great Plains except at high alti- tudes—it is both a roughage and a concentrate. This makes it a highly desirable crop to raise. Alfalfa is an excellent forage crop and in both acreage and pro- duction exceeds corn for forage in the region. However, the future increase in its acreage will doubtless be confined to relatively small areas of low-lying lands along creek and river bottoms and elsewhere, where the moisture conditions are the most favorable. With the advent of Grimm and other hardy varieties, the effect of winter- killing on alfalfa acreage is decreasing. It is its inability to produce satisfactory yields of hay on the dry uplands, even when the best cultural methods are followed, that prevents alfalfa from becoming much more generally grown. It would not be surprising if, in the next decade, corn for forage overtakes it both im acreage and pro- duction. At any rate, it is very probable that corn will make the more rapid growth of the two in the point of acreage. The advan- tages of corn as a silage crop will help it to gain the ascendancy if silos become more popular. The extent to which grains are harvested for hay is determined largely by the weather conditions, principally the Aint of the season nd the scarcity of forage. There is usually a close relation between these two factors. Weather conditions cut short a grain crop and leave the farmer with no alternative than to cut what has been produced for forage. A cereal crop may be regarded as a failure for grain and yet be valuable for hay when there is livestock to be fed. The millets, particularly the foxtail millets, are not very popular, but they contribute appreciably to the forage possibilities of the region. They withstand drought as well as any of the other forage crops, and under conditions of low rainfall they are capable of pro- ducing very good yields of hay. Another point in their favor is the short growing season required to mature them. Millet hay is neither especially relished by stock nor is it highly nutritious, but when fed properly it is eaten with a relatively small proportion of waste and is more than an actual maintenance ration. Millet seed is relatively cheap, and as a catch crop the millets will continue to be useful. It is hardly likely, however, that they will increase rapidly in popularity. Sudan grass, while requiring a longer season than the millets for - maturing and therefore not so well adapted to the higher latitudes, is a useful annual hay grass south of the latitude of Mandan. It withstands drought well and doubtless will be much more generally grown in the northern Great Plains than it is at present. be svn a, 48 BULLETIN 1244, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. In the past few years much attention has been directed to sweet clover as a dry-land pasture and hay crop. It is a valuable forage oe but, like alfalfa, its acreage on the farm will be confined very argely to situations having the most favorable moisture conditions. Some success has been had from stacking freshly cut sweet clover in large well-compacted stacks. Under such conditions it is possible to make good silage from it with comparatively little waste. If this method can be perfected to the point where it can be depended upon, it-may replace to a considerable extent the making of sweet-clover hay, which in most cases contains a large proportion of hard, tough stems not relished by stock. In curing and handling sweet-clover hay it is a very difficult matter to preserve the leaves, but these can be saved by stacking green. On the other hand, the stacking of the freshly cut crop involves much hard labor. As a crop for the regular silo, sweet clover will probably never be generally used, since it does not produce a sufficiently heavy tonnage. Neither will it be used to a very large extent as a pasture crop on dry-land farms in the north- ern Great Plains, since the favorable locations suitable for it will be needed for the production of hay and fodder. There are no annual legumes that can be depended upon to help materially in solving the problem of producing hay or fodder for the driest sections of the region. Field peas will make fairly good yields of grain or hay either alone or with oats in the northern part of the region or at the higher altitudes in good average seasons; but they will not withstand much hot weather or much drought. This limits very & pee the range of their profitable use. Furthermore, the cost of seed per acre is greater than for the other common annual forage plants. The enthusiasm for soy beans which is now so manifest in the Corn Belt has extended in a small measure to the eastern part of the northern Great Plains. The recently acquired early-maturing va- rieties have assisted in creating an interest in soy beans, particularly for mixing with corn for silage. None of the varieties so far available wil produce attractive yields of grain or forage in most of the region. Redfield appears to be about the northern as well as the western limit of soy Den culture. Little help may be expected from the cultivated perennial grasses in the drier parts of the region. Some hope was entertained for practi- cal results feat growing certain of the perennial grasses in cultivated rows, but this method of culture has not proved feasible. Awnless brome grass (Bromus inermis L.) is in use to some extent, but as a hay grass it falls short of making a profitable yield. As a pasture plant it is not sufficiently superior to the native pasture grasses to warrant its use, except in favorable locations on land that has been tilled. Slender wheat grass (Agropyron tenerum L.) is one of the few native American grasses that have been actually brought into culti- vation. Its cultivation in this country is confined almost exclusively to the Dakotas. The total area of this species grown under cultiva- tion is so small as to be almost negligible. Crested wheat grass (Agropyron cristatum L.), a close relative of slender wheat grass, was airor bed by the Department of Agriculture from Siberia several years ago and is attracting some attention asa hay grass, and itis pore bie thatit will ultimately become established as a hay grass in a imited way. From this time forward it will be given abundant oppor- tunity to demonstrate its real merits. | | FORAGE CROPS IN NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS. 49 The possibility of root crops for winter forage has not attracted very general attention in the United States, owing principally to the relatively large proportion of handwork incident to their culture and use. Nevertheless, they make an excellent quality of succulent feed particularly suited to the needs of dairy cows. Furthermore, root crops, especially mangels, produce a good tonnage even under condi- tions of very low rainfall, and because of this, by selecting favorable locations, such as low-lying land, it is possible to produce enough succulent feed for the family cows during the winter. If there are chil- dren in the family, the expenditure of cash for the handwork on a small area of root crops may be reduced to an unimportant item. Certainly root crops can scarcely be expected to play a large part in any farming system in the drier parts of the northern Great Plains, but their per- formance in these sections during exceedingly dry years suggests their regular utilization in a small way. It is the small, easily managed, dependable feature that must be given consideration in connection with farming under the precarious conditions incident to low rainfall. Root crops seem to be such a feature. IMPROVEMENT OF RANGES AND PASTURES. Most of the investigations conducted at the various points named in this bulletin have related chiefly to the growing of hay and fodder. This feature of the forage problem is of much greater importance than the improvement of rangesand pastures. Pasturagein the main has not been so great a limiting factor in livestock production in the northern Great Plains as have hay and fodder, but there has been much need for attention to the pastures and ranges with a view to developing means of increasing their carrying capacity and of making grazing more dependable. Three principal lines of experimentation have suggested them- selves: (1) Various systems of grazing, including fencing of the range, light and heavy grazing, alternate grazing, and deferred grazing; (2) cultural treatment, including cultivation by means of the disk or harrow accompanied or unaccompanied by the sowing of seed of pasture plants; and (3) the introduction of range plants from other countries. Some work has been done along these three lines, but the results thus far have not been highly encouraging. Probably the most hopeful line is that involving the introduction of plants from abroad. Introduced species have contributed immeasurably to the range resources of California and other parts of the West. Some of these species, although regarded as weeds, make good grazing plants. They are annuals and spread rapidly because of their excellent seed habits and also because of the impetus resulting from their new envi- ronment. There are many range plants which are superior to the weedy annuals in the quality of the aren they produce, but the latter fill a much needed place in droughty years when the better grazing plants succumb to ths unfavorable conditions. SILAGE. The possibilities of the silo as a means of storing forage for indefinite periods have been given a great deal of attention. From exhaustive research and experiments conducted by the Office of Forage-Crop Investigations it has been shown conclusively that palatable and at 50 BULLETIN 1244, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, least fairly nutritious silage can be made from nearly all common herbaceous plants, including native and introduced weeds. Low tonnage and the difficulty of harvesting are such decidedly limitin factors, however, that the plants which actually offer practica possibilities for silage making are relatively few. Notwithstanding this, in a year of drought it is of value to know that almost any kind of available herbage may be utilized for forage by means of the silo if the yield is sufficiently large. For most of the northern Great Plains region, corn is without question the best silage crop when tonnage and quality are considered. Much attention oe been given to the silage possibilities of sunflowers, but they are not nearly so valuable as corn, except at altitudes too high for corn, or possibly under irrigation. Both the aboveground and the pit types of silo can be used in the drier parts of the region. The relative merits of these types are too well known to require discussion here. The use of the silo of either type will increase the storage of feed for a single feeding season, but it is probable that only the Se provident farmer will make a regular practice of using the silo to carry from one year to another sufficient feed to provide for years of shortage. RATIO OF FORAGE CROPS TO GRAIN AND THE SIZE OF THE FARM UNIT. Pee nee ok AY Ae et - 1 shreae 2 — ota Assuming that it is generally agreed that more cultivated forage is ¥| necessary if farming in the drier sections of the northern Great — Plains is to be permanently successful, the question of the ratio of — acreage of these crops to grains at once arises. It is not practicable | to set forth a hard and fast system prescribing the number or kind of © livestock, the relative acreage of the various crops, or the optimum — unit of area. The precipitation of the section, the location and topography of the land, the character of the soil, market facilities, — and the individual characteristics of the farmer are among the elements that must be taken into account. As a general proposition — it will not pay the farmer to raise forage for his neighbors, therefore — his forage acreage must be determined by the requirements of his — own livestock. As a theoretical consideration, an ideal arrangement would provide pasturage and cured forage sufficient for enough | livestock to make an income that would guarantee a living for the farm family. Added to this should be as much land and grain as a | family can handle with additional labor only at harvest time. in such a scheme the livestock would be regarded as the main dependence and the grain as more of a speculative feature, without which dry-land farming would be exceedingly unattractive. It is difficult to specify intelligently the size that should be adopted — for the farm unit for the drier parts of the region. This must be governed by much the same factors as govern the determination of the optimum ratio of livestock and forage to grain crops. It is evi- dent, however, that the total area of the farm unit, including range or pasture and tilled land, must be much larger than that now in genera use. With helpful suggestions drawn from past experiences in dry farming elsewhere, the future will determine the size of the unit before many generations have passed. FORAGE CROPS IN NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS. 51 POSSIBILITIES OF COMBINING LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION WITH GRAIN FARMING. From the present knowledge of the possibilities of the region, it is evident that with the cultivated forage crops now available the raising of cattle is the feature of livestock production that fits in best with the possibilities of grain and forage growing, as well as with other agri- cultural and economic conditions. The limits of the profitable expansion of horse and mule raising are soon ranehed, Sheep raising, in the very nature of things, is best suited to the large ranges; and, while it is probable that this branch of animal production will be taken up more generally on farms, it is thought that the cost of fencing and necessary care will keep the industry for the most part where it is at present. In dry-land farming swine can not range at large, as they do to a considerable extent in certain more humid parts of the country. Their feed must be grown for them. Swine must have corn or some similargrain. They must likewise have suitable cultivated pasturage. Barley has not done for swine raising in the drier parts of the region what corn has done, for example, in Iowa. There is not enough wastage of a kind suitable for swine on a dry farm to make the salvaging of it profitable. To be successful as a source of income, ‘swine, except in some cases, as of breeding stock, must be fed a fatten- ine ration from the time they are weaned until they are marketed. Under dry-farming conditions it is not always an easy matter to make provision for the necessary feed. All things considered, cattle fit into a system of dry-land farming better than any other kind of livestock under present economic conditions. Beef cattle are better suited to this type of farming than dairy cattle. The raising of beef cattle is more flexible and less exacting in its requirement of harvested forage, since in time of emergency they may be kept on a merely maintenance ration for short periods. In the case of dairy- ing, unless the milk output is maintained, it ceases to be profitable. Furthermore, when feed is short, good dairy herds can not be quickly disposed of without great loss, nor can they be assembled quickly and mon tally when feed is abundant. There is not enough flexibility in airy farming to suit the needs of the drier parts of the northern Great Plains. That low returns are now obtained from the dairy cows of the region is evidenced by their ratio to human population. According to the census of 1920, there were 387,000 cows over 2 years old. The population at that time was estimated at 915,605. On this basis one cow supplied only 2.4 persons, or less than one-half the number for the United States as a whole. Even with this exceed- ingly narrow ratio between dairy cows and human population there is actually a large deficiency in the quantity of dairy products produced within the region. It is estimated that the total quantity of butter made on farms and in factories in the region supplies less than 30 pounds to each individual. A striking contrast exists between the returns from dairy cows in this region and in Minnesota, for example, where the ratio of dairy cows to human population is 1 to 2, and the total quantity of butter produced is approximately 70 pounds for each individual. Dairying, it would appear, is as dependent on rain- fall for high production as is grain farming. It is largely because of a lack of sufficient and suitable harvested forage that dairying is such an 52 BULLETIN 1244, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. | | | | | / | t —." =— | _— inefficient enterprise under dry-farming conditions. That it can be improved can scarcely be questioned, but in general its requirements are not easy to meet. ECONOMIC CONDITIONS AND THE NEED FOR A CHANGE IN THE TYPE OF FARMING. The data previously presented under “‘ Agricultural Resources”’ and other captions disclose the fact that farming is not highly diver- sified in the northern Great Plains and that grain growing is the principal type on tilled farms. Since the total area devoted to cul- tivated forage crops is less than 2,500,000 acres, which is less by 2,000,000 acres than the area normally devoted to spring wheat, and since this acreage is distributed over approximately 123,000 farms, it is quite apparent that the livestock industry must be largely cred- ited to the range and native grasslands and only in a minor degree to tilled farms. Poor crop years have occurred so frequently in the drier parts of the northern Great Plains since 1916 as to bring about depressing economic conditions. The situation has been so acute at times in certain sections as to attract aid from the Federal Govern- ment in the form of loans for the purchase of seed grains. These loans have been three in number. The first one made in 1918 was used in part for fall sowings in that year and in part for spring sow- ings in 1919. Other loans for spring sowings were made in 1921 and 1922. These loans also covered sections outside the northern Great Plains region. Economic emergencies calling for aid of this kind so frequently show beyond a reasonable doubt that the present type of agricul- ture does not meet the needs of the situation. Farmers, merchants, and bankers who have lived in sections where crop failures or par- tial failures have occurred with discouraging frequency are unani- mously agreed that some change must be made to relieve the present precarious agricultural condition. SUMMARY. The part of the United States to which the data here presented applies includes northwestern Nebraska; the western two-thirds of South Dakota; that part of North Dakota which hes south and west of the line scesiitins approximately from Minot to Jamestown; eastern Wyoming; and the ereater part of Montana. The average annual precipitation varies from about 20 inches in the eastern part of the region to 12 inches in the vicinity of Shelby, Mont. The region is noted for extremes in temperature. The soils for the most part are capable of producing good crops where moisture is not a limiting factor. Cereals are the chief crops, although forage, especially native grasses, contribute largely to the agricultural resources by making stock raising possible. The acreage of cultivated forage crops is only a little more than half that of native grasses cut for hay. _ The extremely precarious conditions under which crop production is being attempted in the drier parts of this region make livestock necessary to stabilize the income of the farmer and provide a respect- able living. Grain farming alone will not do this. To raise live- stock successfully, forage must be grown. FORAGE CROPS IN NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS. 53 The forage-crop data here presented are chiefly the results of experiments conducted at Ardmore, Belle Fourche, and Redfield in South Dakota; at Edgeley, Hettinger, Mandan, Dickinson, and Williston in North Dakota; at Havre and Moccasin in Montana; and at Sheridan in Wyoming. The most important forage crops in the region are alfalfa, corn, and grain hay. Sorghum is grown extensively in northern Nebraska and southern South Dakota. Awnless brome-grass is an important grass in certain sections. Sweet clover is becoming increasingly important, particularly as a pasture crop. Millets are utilized to some extent as an emergency crop. Field peas, soy beans, and root crops are grown only to a limited extent. Various attempts have been made to improve the ranges, but without much success. The most hopeful line seems to be through the introduction of plants from abroad. The possibilities of the silo as a means of storing forage for an indefinite period is an important consideration. In a well-balanced farming system the ideal ratio of forage to grain would appear to be enough forage and pasture for livestock to guaran- tee a li to the family and added to this as much grain as the family can handle with additional labor only at harvest time. It is very evident that the farm unit must be much larger than the resent general size. Cattle fit into the system of farming better than any other class of livestock. Beef cattle are better suited to this type of farming than dairy cattle. The raising of beef cattle is more flexible and less exacting in its requirements. Se ORGANIZATION OF THE . UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. | January 15, 1924. pecretary of Agriculiine 355: oa os Henry C. WALLACE. AssishantaSecrcuiiay. =e ees S4i 0 e" Fy oe Nee ae Howarp M. Gore. Director of Scientific Work_____~2____- ahs K. D; Baun. Director of Regulatory::W ork. 22—- 5. WaLtTerR G. CAMPBELL. Director of Extension Work__-_-__------_- C. W. WARBURTON. Pot!) ir 1; pean Se Coens tee Tne eae R. W. WILLIAMS. W eather Buremuc 4 (Sopa pees Vee eee eee CHARLES F. Marvin, Chief. Bureau of Agricultural Economics___-_----- Henry C. Taytor, Chief. Burcauwof Animal tdusirg =e oe Fe JoHN R. MouHLeER, Chief. Bureau. of, Pientindusivy > eee ee eee WiuuiaM A. Taytor, Chief. GEES IS Creger Mi Me se W e EA W. B. GREELEY, Chief. Boureacot Gkhensiny os etes, aver ele C. A. Browne, Chief. Biréant of (Sots oe a ee Sa Bee ge Mitton Wuitney, Chief. Bureau of Entomology...-.-------=------ L. O. Howarp, Chief. Bureau of Biological Survey_-------------- E. W. NeEtson, Chief. Bureau; Public Rodds 62 222. eee eee Tuomas H. MacDonatp, Chief. Bureau of Home Economics_-__------------ Louise STANLEY, Chief. Fixed Nitrogen Research Laboratory __---_--- F. G. Corrre.u, Director. PuUblicattens 22 cS ee ee L. J. Haynss, In Charge. Labrarg 2 ae a CLARIBEL R. Barnett, Librarian. Federal Horticultural Board_=2=2_—~-—.-=--—- C. L. Maruatrr, Chairman. Insecticide and Fungicide Board________-_~.. J. K. Haywoop, Chairman. Packers and Stockyards Administration ____- | CHESTER Morritu, Assistant to the Grain Futures Administration. ___~__-__-__- { Secretary. This bulletin is a contribution from . Bureau of-Plant fndusivry 2 ee WiuuiaAM A. Taytor, Chief. Office of Forage-Crop Investigations___- - CHARLES V. Prppr, Agrostologist in Charge. 54 ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE PROCURED FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT OF DOCUMENTS GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON, D. C. AT 10 CENTS PER COPY V a