EE Ake ME, 4c Easel RN aa : thi‘ ee at Ne i | SB Ff ee tae | C5 AWS. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. . | BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY-—BULLETIN NO, 197, B. T, GALLOWAY, Chief of Bureau. A STUDY OF CULTIVATION METHODS AND -___ OROP ROTATIONS FOR THE [ —_—s GREAT. PLAINS AREA. -BY ie SS EC CHILCOTT _ AGRICULTURIST IN CHARGE, ASSISTED By MEMBERS OF THE ~.—s FuELp Starr oF THE OFFICE OF Dry-LAND _.. AGRICULTURE INVESTIGATIONS. IssueD NovEMBER 5, 1910. =e San rests. DR RT roe fie! aie OC of ; i fi Ly = S Ate al a WN, LAT TYT EE) ‘ala we) - ; S = SN => SA Ih aN ha i i » = \ ni Ua) SaRN owe (a ASLO EN Nar Ey; AY. 7 | WASHINGTON: es oe GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. ; = Se LO eo a ven oh, Tae PEAnEa: Bul. 187, Bureau of Plant Industry, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. (zjuBys “TH ‘Ad 4q ‘061 ‘Lysnsny “xed ‘N ‘AojeSpy 1B uoNeIsqng ay] ev peydeiSojoyq) "SLV1Id G1aIl4 IWLNAWIYSdXy 4O MAIA AVOIdAL V yer AK WE dis x Pes. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. | BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY—BULLETIN NO. 187. B T. GALLOWAY, Chief of Bureau. A STUDY OF CULTIVATION METHODS AND enor hOVATIONS KOR, THE GREAT PLAINS AREA. /* 4 os ) BY a ¥ { ] f 9 E! CY CHILCOTT, AGRICULTURIST IN CHARGE, ASSISTED BY MEMBERS OF THE FIELD STAFF OF THE OFFICE OF Dry-LAND AGRICULTURE INVESTIGATIONS. IssuED NovemsBer 5, 1910. hits sli ffl >illes oe! AAU lal iia lh | ‘D wee QW eo) PN NI fen at\ K = '\ (ity { K Ny ene ACS Yh. Z Baral | fe HHI y i Poo oy ynitte 4 > OG iran oe WWQigessssss> WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1910, BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY. Chief of Bureau, BEVERLY T. GALLOWAY. Assistant Chief of Bureau, G. HAROLD POWELL. Editor, J. E. ROCKWELL. Chief Clerk, JAMES E. JONES. DrRyY-LAND AGRICULTURE INVESTIGATIONS. SCIENTIFIC STAFF. E. C. Chilcott, Agriculturist in Charge. J.S. Cole and Fritz Knorr, Experts. J. M. Stephens, Special Agent. W.W. Burr, E. F. Chilcott, O. J. Grace, A. L. Hallsted, F. L. Kennard, Clarence Plath, H. R. Reed, and John Thysel, Assistants. 187 2 D. OF D. NCV 28 1910 site - —- Pee her EAN SMT TE: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, Bureau oF PLant INpustTRY, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF, Washington, D. C., June 11, 1910. Srr: I have the honor to transmit herewith a paper entitled ‘‘A Study of Cultivation Methods and Crop Rotations for the Great Plains Area,” by Prof. E. C. Chilcott, Agriculturist in Charge of Dry- Land Agriculture Investigations, assisted by the members of his field staff. These men have not only attended to the details of the field experiments and prepared the notes for the permanent records, but they have also assisted in the preparation of these data for publication. The paper embodies the results of four years’ experiments in crop rotation and cultivation methods conducted at eleven stations in the Great Plains area. These investigations are of such a nature as to require a long term of years before final conclusions can be reached. It is believed, however, that in view of the urgent demand for infor- mation concerning these problems which is constantly being made upon this Bureau, these results and tentative conclusions and sugges- tions should be made public at this time. IT recommend that this paper be published as Bulletin No. 187 of the special series of this Bureau. 3 Respectfully, G. H. Powe, Acting Chief of Bureau. Hon. James WItson, Secretary of Agriculture. 187 co CONTENTS. RIG BIE eo Ne ees eee las PLE Wc oil Paw ose eo Se eI ASCE eer iy ta are Ph OS | Sasi Gia gine cee ged = | SL ET BUS TLDS TID 0 Ss ee a ce gto og ee a eae ne Peaereney ol the data submitted. 25.2. 0- 62-2852 22sesen essen eee e Continuous cropping compared with alternate cropping and summer tillage. . . - (BLEU) EIGN T Ss So As Ce EC OBS ee Sn ee see ensign enero Conclusions concerning summer tillage and continuous cropping.......... Crop rotation compared with continuous cropping.............---..-..2------ Scbinetormie jieee-year rotations: 22.2222 .22..- 32. ste e see ee ee ele eee SUMMB EAU PUR UST OLS ce 2 eas eS ees in ilo Se Se aI 2 ee Sa PEMOMEO ASS OM COUNpaArisON 22.025 s 526s sheds Se obo Sako eee dees Comparison. of the relative farm value of crops of wheat, oats, and barley pro- duced by each of the nine rotations and by continuous cropping............ Sie micHionl tee SUMPTER Ya Pe Se ois = 2 ee edn ee eee Disked corn stubble better than summer tillage for spring wheat and oats. . Disking corn stubble gives better results than plowing for spring wheat OT ELE HS (RD LOM gs 5 Bs i Pee oat ee The relative merits of fall and spring plowing depend upon local conditions See OME -AENAC DUNC oer eae Sek ee ee ee eee ae The relation of wheat and oats to summer tillage in a three-year rotation. . Wheat, oats, corn a better sequence on spring plowing than oats, wheat, PPTL ES TSE UETRUOIOSTS oO 7 eae ek a lee aE Rotations for the conservation of organic matter in the soil.................... Pile perpen ueTOM: (On I) oa 42 ot ee es ee ee eC ARELONAD ION (INO 14) sence an Neste eae SL OL ok eos ee oS eke ese ede k Pete etO Lamon NOs) 2592 ve eee ek Ol oe hee ee ek oe Pee IMBL@TUNONUON@. 1) of eek te a Se te ee Paneer fet TOUS NORIO) ees) a i Ae eo we ke ae be been Sle Mee nemetnlcwOreroproOtawion 22). ee 5 oe i oe ee oe ee ew ee 1 SE DOS TIONAL OGICE 5 Sole See Sale Bes es a or foules tobe observed in planning rotations. .~-..<.... 2.22. .4.25..+----- Penene HOt rGiine cpeMmmnen (Seo. 5- \-. se ey ek ce wn ss boos eo eb ee ek we Peeestt rit eH ECC GLO Sete ee Mee ees On ee oe Ge lS Ss 62 a ce: Seah y = aia 5 : 4 hs . a8 | : > z : S \ 7 USTs COS: % PLATE. ehona 1. A typical view of experimental field plats. tate oie ie eae on TEXT FIGURE. P Big. 1. Map of the Great Plains area, showing the location of the experi 1h . stations and the annual and seasonal rainfall ...............- 187 6 BP) 1.585. A STUDY OF CULTIVATION METHODS AND CROP ROTATIONS FOR THE GREAT PLAINS AREA. INTRODUCTION. The Office of Dry-Land Agriculture Investigations of the Bureau of Plant Industry has been carrying on investigations in dry-land agriculture in the Great Plains area since the spring of 1906. A large amount of data has accumulated. Urgent demands are being made by settlers, actual and prospective, for information concerning the best methods of farming in the Great Plains. It therefore seems desirable at this time to give publicity to such of these facts and figures as have a direct bearing upon this subject. It is not claimed that sufficient data have yet been accumulated to form the basis for final conclusions. It is believed, however, that these results are of suffi- cient importance to deserve careful consideration and that they throw some strong light upon the much controverted questions of summer tillage, continuous cropping, and crop rotation. It is hoped that the tentative conclusions drawn and the suggestions made may be useful. QUESTIONS ASKED. These investigations were undertaken to answer the following main questions, besides many subsidiary ones: (1) How can the largest average yields of four staple crops—corn, spring wheat, oats, and barley—through a long series of years be obtained: (a) By raising the same crop continuously by ordinary methods of culture now in practice; (6) by continuous cropping with the same crop, using the most approved methods of cultivation for moisture conservation; or (c) by alternate cropping and summer tillage by the most approved methods? (2) Do moisture conservation methods pay where continuous cropping to the same erop is practiced? (3) Do alternate cropping and summer tillage pay where the same crop is raised each alternate year? (4) How do simple 3-year crop rotations compare with continuous cropping, both with and without conservation methods, and with alternate cropping and summer tillage in the profitable production of crops? (5) What 3-year rotation has given the best results? (6) Which gives the best results, fall plowing or spring plowing? 187 7 8 CULTIVATION METHODS AND ROTATIONS FOR GREAT PLAINS. (7) Should corn stubble be plowed or disked without plowing as a preparation for spring wheat? (8) Can summer tillage be profitably introduced into a rotation system? (9) Can any system of crop rotation be devised, involving the use of perennial grasses or legumes, or biennial legumes, which will be adapted to conditions in the Great Plains area? (10) Can green manuring be profitably substituted for summer tillage, thereby con- serving both the moisture and the organic matter of the soil? (11) What is the best method of introducing winter wheat into a rotation? ANSWERS OBTAINED. The following tentative answers have been obtained from the investigations. They are likely to be modified by future results. They are, however, based upon the best evidence obtainable in the present state of our knowledge: (1) The average yields in bushels per acre from the three methods of tillage have been as follows: Average production per acre of wheat, oats, and barley. Methods of tillage. Wheat. Oats. Barley. Continuous cropping, ordinary methods.............--------------------- 17.4 30. 2 Deal Continuous cropping, moisture conservation...........--....---..-------- 16.5 30.5 22.9 _ Alternate cropping and summer tillage..............-.---.--------------- DO 44,1 30.7 (See Tables I, II, and III, pp. 16 and 17.) (2) The average results of moisture conservation methods have not proved profitable as compared with ordinary methods where continuous cropping has been practiced. (See paragraph 2 of Conclusions, p. 68.) (3) The average results of alternate cropping and summer tillage have not proved profitable, as compared with continuous cropping with ordinary methods. (See paragraph 1 of Conclusions, p. 67.) (4) Simple 3-year rotations of corn, wheat, and oats, or corn, barley, and oats have proved more profitable than continuous cropping or alternate cropping with any one of these four crops. (See paragraph 3 of Conclusions, p. 68.) (5) Corn on either fall or spring plowing, followed by either wheat or barley on disked corn stubble, followed by oats on early fall plowing has given best average results. (See paragraph 4 of Conclusions, p. 68.) (6) Fall plowing has given slightly better average results than spring plowing. (See paragraph 11 of Conclusions, p. 69.) (7) Disking corn stubble, without plowing, has given better results than plowing as a preparation for spring wheat. (See paragraph 10 of Conclusions, p. 69.) (8) Summer tillage has not given as good average results when used in a rotation as a preparation for spring wheat or oats as has a properly cultivated corn crop. It seems probable that it will be found advisable to occasionally introduce summer tillage into a rotation as a preparation for winter wheat. (See paragraph 9 of Conclusions, p. 68.) (9) The evidence so far obtained leads to the conclusion that a 5 or 6 year rotation of corn, winter or spring wheat, brome-grass (three years), oats, barley, emmer, or 187 ANSWERS OBTAINED. 9 wheat will give better average results than any other system so far tried. There are, however, undoubtedly many localities where the growing of perennial grasses is so uncertain as to make the adoption of this rotation inadvisable. It is possible that it may be found practicable to substitute alfalfa for brome-grass in some localities. Some other perennial grass or legume may be found that will prove adapted to the conditions in some parts of the Great Plains. In some localities it may be found practicable to shorten the rotation to four years and substitute red clover for the brome-grass. (See paragraphs 14, 15, and 16 of Conclusions, p. 70.) (10) Where perennial grass or legumes can not be successfully grown, it will undoubtedly be found profitable to resort to green manuring. Winter rye has so far given the best results. Canada field peas and common sweet clover ( Melilotus alba) have also given good results, but the fact that they do not reach a sufficient stage of growth to plow under before the end of the June rains is against them. On the other hand, being nitrogen gatherers they will undoubtedly produce a higher quality of organic matter in the soil than rye, although the quantity may be less. (See paragraph 18 of Conclusions, p. 70.) (11) Winter wheat should be grown to a greater or less extent wherever it is found possible to do so, as it possesses some great advantages over spring wheat. It can be fitted into any rotation adapted to the Great Plains. In some localities it may prove profitable to summer till the land as a preparation for winter wheat, as it undoubtedly responds to this preparation to a much greater extent than do spring-sown grains. Green manuring may, however, be used instead of summer tillage. (See paragraph 10 of Conclusions, p. 69.) As will be seen from the foregoing answers, our investigations lead strongly to the conclusion that the devising of systems of rotation adapted to local conditions is of greater importance than tillage methods. It is not to be inferred, however, that the subject of proper _ tillage can be safely neglected. Such is far from being the case. Tillage methods must be carefully studied and intelligently practiced. But both the study and the practice must be carried on in connec- tion with crop rotation and with a view to bringing about the best possible physical and biological condition of the soil. In order to do this intelligently, the requirements of the crops to be grown, the local peculiarities of the soil, and the climate must be the main factors considered. No hard and fast rules can be established. Each farmer must study his soil, his climate, and his crop requirements, and must adopt such systems of tillage as experience and observation have shown to bring the desired results under the peculiar combina- tions of conditions which prevail at the time and place and are most likely to exist during the growing period of the crop. Nor should the ultimate effect upon the soil of any system of tillage be neglected. Favorable physical, chemical, and biological conditions of the soil should at least be maintained and, if possible, improved from year to year. The establishment of a system of crop rotations presents many difficulties, particularly in a new country. Among these difficulties is the need of immediate cash returns from the crops grown. Wheat is not only the most staple cash crop, but on the basis of the prices 187 : 10 CULTIVATION METHODS AND ROTATIONS FOR GREAT PLAINS. which have prevailed for the last ten years and the average yields obtained in. the Great Plains it has also been the most profitable when immediate cash returns alone have been considered. This has been a strong incentive to adopting a one-crop system of wheat grown continuously on the same land, year after year, with sometimes an occasional summer fallow to clean the land of weeds. It must be admitted that this system has often brought in larger immediate cash returns than could be obtained from a simple diversi- fication of crops. Mere diversification without any systematic rota- tion often means simply devoting a portion of the farm to the growing of some less profitable crop in the place of wheat. There is an advan- tage in growing several different kinds of crops, all of which are not as likely to suffer loss from either poor yields or low prices as would a single crop of any one kind. Such a system can not, however, be defended unless these substituted crops can be fed or otherwise disposed of in such a way as to bring more than the relative market prices, as compared with wheat, which have prevailed in the Great Plains for the last ten years. But our investigations have shown that with a properly planned rotation of corn, wheat, oats, and barley the average farm value per acre for all the crops will be greater than that obtained from growing wheat continuously. Such a system must, of course, involve proper methods of soil preparation, as well as rotation of crops. If in addition to the increased yields obtainable under a rotation system the coarse grains can be fed on the farm, the net profits from this system will be further increased. If by returning the manure produced from the coarse grain, fodder, and hay crops to the land the soil can be maintained in better chemical, physical, and biological condition, it will not only further increase the yields in favorable years, but will also decrease the danger from drought in unfavorable ones. Nor is this all the advantage to be gained from crop rotation and its concomitant feature of stock raising. Under such a system the labor of the farm is more evenly distributed through- out the year, thus requiring less expense for extra laborers at harvest time and better utilization of teams and tools. And last, and per- haps most important of all, is the fact that a farm operated on such a system affords greater incentives and opportunities for true home building. It is believed that all of these desirable objects can be attained by adopting systems of rotation adapted to local conditions. It can, therefore, be stated with a reasonable degree of certainty that crop rotation is the major factor in the great problem of dry-land agriculture in the Great Plains area, with cultivation methods as an important minor factor. These investigations have been carried on at Judith Basin, Mont.; Dickinson and Edgeley, N. Dak.; Highmore and Bellefourche, S. 187 ANSWERS OBTAINED. 11 Dak.; North Platte, Nebr.; Akron, Colo.; Hays and Garden City, Kans.; Amarillo and Dalhart, Tex. The locations of these stations are shown on the accompanying map, figure 1. Results have been obtained for three years from Edgeley and North Platte; for two years from Amarillo, Highmore, and Dickinson; and for one year aan DNotctcts a Fig. 1.—Map of the Great Plains area, showing the location of the experiment stations and the annual and seasonal rainfall. each from the remaining stations. They show, therefore, the results of eighteen comparative tests, involving more than a thousand plats located at eleven stations widely distributed throughout the Great Plains area, and should be fairly representative of the area. 187 12. CULTIVATION METHODS AND ROTATIONS FOR GREAT PLAINS. The view of field plats at the substation at Edgeley, N. Dak. (see frontispiece), where these investigations are carried on in cooperation with the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station, is typical of all the field stations. From 120 to 150 one-tenth acre plats are used at each station. These plats are accurately and permanently laid out and marked and great care is exercised to obtain exact yields, com- parable to common field conditions. It would be practically impossible to carry on these investigations without the hearty cooperation of the state experiment stations of Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas. The Physical Laboratory and the Offices of Western Agricultural Extension, Alkali and Drought Resistant Plant-Breeding Investiga- tions, Grain Investigations, Forage-Crop Investigations, and Soil- Bacteriology Investigations, all of the Bureau of Plant Industry, have cooperated and rendered valuable assistance along their respective lines. None of the results of their investigations have, however, been incorporated in this publication. The interrelation of these several lines of investigations with those of dry-land agriculture will be discussed in future publications. THE SUFFICIENCY OF THE DATA SUBMITTED. As the general plans of the investigations in dry-land agriculture, of which those herein described are a part, have been fully set forth in a previous publication,’ no detailed description will here be attempted. Suffice it to say that a member of the scientific staff of this office is in constant attendance at each of the several stations mentioned. during the entire growing and harvesting season. He attends personally to all the field operations, the measuring and weighing of products, etc., and keeps accurate notes of the work.? The work is in close cooperation with the Physical Laboratory of this a Yearbook of the Department of Agriculture for 1907, pp. 451-468. b The field work at the several stations is under the immediate supervision, respec- tively, of the following-named members of the scientific staff of this office: John S. Cole, Traveling Field Assistant. J. E. Payne, Superintendent Akron, Colo., station. F. L. Kennard, Superintendent Dalhart, Tex., station. J. M. Stephens, Superintendent Judith Basin, Mont., station. O. J. Grace, Acting Superintendent Dickinson, N. Dak., station. W. W. Burr, detailed to North Platte, Nebr., station. E. F. Chilcott, detailed to Amarillo, Tex., station. A. L. Hallsted, detailed to Hays, Kans., station. H. R. Reed, detailed to Garden City, Kans., station. OF: Macher! detailed from the Office of Western Agricultural Extension, — of Plant Industry, to Bellefourche, S. Dak., station. C. H. Plath, detailed to Edgeley, N. Dak., station. Je; Thysell, detailed to Dickinson, N. iat station. W. O. Whitcomb, detailed from the Office of Western Agricultural Extension, Bu- reau of Plant Industry, to Williston, N. Dak., station. 187 SUFFICIENCY OF DATA SUBMITTED. 13 Bureau, which keeps a record of the physical and meteorological conditions at each station. Several other offices of this Bureau are also in cooperation at most of the stations. The Agriculturist in Charge of Dry-Land Agriculture Investigations and his traveling field assistant make frequent visits to the field stations during the growing season for the purpose of inspecting the work. Other cooperating heads of offices also visit these stations at frequent intervals. The work of seven of the eleven stations herein mentioned was con- ducted in close cooperation with the state experiment stations of Mon- tana, North and South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas, respectively, and representatives of these stations are constantly in close touch with the field work at their respective localities. Very full permanent records of all the work are kept, both at the field stations and at the central office at Washington, D.C. Both these records and the field work itself are open to the inspection of the public at all times, and such inspection is invited. The experiment stations mentioned use these records in the preparation of publications of their respective stations. With so many trained investigators actively interested in the elimina- tion of all sources of error or inaccuracy, it seems reasonable to claim that the data herein presented are trustworthy and that, covering as they do so extensive an area, they constitute as reliable a basis for safe conclusion concerning the methods of dry-land agriculture in the Great Plains area as can now be found. It is only by a further extension of these investigations that a more reliable basis can be established. All of the eleven stations from which the data are collected are located within what is generally known as the semiarid area. The meteorological records and the crop yields under ordinary methods indicate, however, that in thirteen seasons out of eighteen the weather conditions were sufficiently favorable to give some basis for the suspicion that these thirteen experiments were conducted under humid rather than semiarid conditions and that they could not therefore be used as a safe basis for conclusions relative to semiarid conditions. When, however, we consider that the average increase in yields from summer tillage as compared with ordinary methods during these thirteen seasons is practically identical for oats and barley and differs by only 2.2 bushels for wheat from those of the remaining five seasons when the drought was severe, the force of this argument is considerably weakened. If we also consider that the only instance where summer tillage increased the yield sufficiently to make the practice profitable was at North Platte in 1908, where conditions were very favorable for crop production under ordinary methods, the argument against the applicability of these results to semiarid con- ditions ceases to have any weight.* ——_—__ ie « See Table XX XI for precipitation record. 14 CULTIVATION METHODS AND ROTATIONS FOR GREAT PLAINS. : CONTINUOUS CROPPING COMPARED WITH ALTERNATE CROPPING AND SUMMER TILLAGE. GENERAL STATEMENT. Before entering into a discussion of the subject of continuous cropping compared with alternate cropping and summer tillage, it will be well to clearly set forth some important considerations that must be constantly borne in mind. They are as follows: (1) The discussion applies to the Great Plains area only and can have no possible bearing upon practices in regions west of the Rocky Mountains, where soil and climatic conditions are radically different. (2) These experiments were made with spring-sown grains only and have no bearing whatever upon the methods applicable to fall-sown orains. (3) The object of the work described under this heading is to test the relative merits of three systems of one-crop farming, namely, (1) ordinary methods; (2) moisture-conservation methods of contin- uous cropping; and (3) summer-tillage methods of alternate or bi- ennial cropping. This part of the work has nothing whatever to do with crop rotation, except possibly to show that no system of one- crop farming has yet been devised that can serve as a safe basis for a permanent agriculture in the Great Plains area. A discussion of crop rotation is given under another heading (p. 20). The general plan of that portion of the investigations herein described is identical for all of the eleven stations and is as shown in the accompanying outline and the explanatory notes following: Outline of plan for experiments with three staple cereal crops with ordinary methods of culture and with moisture-conservation methods, each crop being grown on the same plat for several years either continuously or alternating with summer fallow. EXPERIMENTS WITH WHEAT. Plat A. Wheat grown year after year on spring-plowed land by ordinary methods of culture. Plat B. Wheat grown year after year on fall-plowed land by moisture-conservation methods of culture. Plat C. Wheat alternating with summer tillage. Plat D. Summer tillage alternating with wheat. EXPERIMENTS WITH OATS. Plat A. Oats grown year after year on spring-plowed land by ordinary methods of culture. Plat B. Oats grown year after year on fall-plowed land by moisture-conservation methods of culture. Plat C. Oats alternating with summer tillage. Plat D. Summer tillage alternating with oats. 187 CROPPING AND SUMMER TILLAGE. 15 EXPERIMENTS WITH BARLEY. Plat A. Barley grown year after year on spring-plowed land by ordinary methods of culture. Plat B. Barley grown year after year on fall-plowed ground by moisture-conservation methods of culture. Plat C. Barley alternating with summer tillage. Plat D. Summer tillage alternating with barley. By ‘‘ordinary methods” is meant plowing to a depth of about 3 inches in the spring just before seeding, harrowing once, and seeding with a drill; no harrowing after seeding; no treatment of stubble land after harvest except to cut weeds to keep them from seeding. By ‘‘conservation methods” is meant plowing to a depth of 8 inches immediately after harvest, thoroughly harrowing immediately after plowing, keeping the soil in the best of tilth and free from weeds or surface crust by frequent harrowings or diskings until seeding in the spring, thorough harrowing at time of seeding, and light harrow- ings at intervals to break crust and destroy weeds until the grain reaches a height of about 6 inches. Under certain conditions, thor- ough disking immediately after harvest and deferring the plowing until the soil is in proper condition has been found to accomplish ‘the desired results more effectually than immediate plowing, and in some cases this practice has been followed. By ‘‘alternate summer tillage” is meant treating the soil after harvest as described under ‘‘conservation methods” until the fol- lowing spring. Instead of then seeding it to crop, it is left bare or fallow and is kept harrowed, disked, and free from weeds or surface crust until midsummer. It is then plowed again and treated the same as Group B thereafter, being seeded in like manner the following spring, Group D being summer tilled and Group C being cropped one year and Group C being summer tilled and Group D being cropped the next, and so on indefinitely, alternately cropping and summer tilling. The same variety and quantity of seed and the same drill are used upon, all the plats of the same series for all groups at each station. It was found impracticable to use the same variety of each of the erains at all of the stations, as it has not been found possible to obtain any one variety of any of these grains adapted to so wide a range of soil and climatic conditions as is found between Montana on the north and Texas on the south. The rule has, therefore, been to select the variety of each of the grains best: adapted to the locality. Durum spring wheat has been used at all stations. It was not practicable to use the same make of drill at all stations, and there were other slight adaptations to local conditions, but the 52345°—Bul. 187—10——2 16 CULTIVATION METHODS AND ROTATIONS FOR GREAT PLAINS. methods of seeding were essentially the same for the respective groups for all stations. The comparisons having been made between groups at each station instead of between stations, the slight differ- ences mentioned could in no possible way affect the conclusions. The accompanying tables give the yields in bushels per acre for each one of the 216 plats. They also give differences in bushels per acre between the ‘‘A,” or continuously cropped ordinary-method plats, and ‘‘B,” or continuously cropped moisture-conservation plats; and the ‘‘C” or ‘‘D,” alternately summer-tilled plats, respectively. The ‘‘A,”’ or continuously cropped ordinary-method yields, are used as a basis for all comparison. The three tables represent, respectively, the three series—wheat, oats, and barley. The averages at the foot of each table are the average yields per acre in bushels and the aver- age difference in bushels per acre between the groups for each series, respectively, for all of the 18 tests. TaBLe I.—Comparison of yields to the acre of wheat series, by groups. ntin r ing. “ Continuous cropping | Gain (+) or or ee | Alternate | OS see summer til- ation. ear. roup B, roup ordinary Group A, conserva- | or D, sum- | 227Y meth- methods, ordinary tion mer tillage ods, Group B GroupC or D methods. 8©- | compared P methods. ithG A compared wt TO aa GroupA. Bushe’s. Busheis. Bushels. Bushels. Bushels. Judith Basin, Mont......... 1909 33.0 33.4 34.0 +0.4 + 1:0 Dickinson, N. Dak.......... 1908 24.3 17.7 33. 8 —6.6 +95 DDO eee ee Sie eee ae ales 1909 26.8 25.2 Ba 7 —1.6 + 8.9 Hdgeleya Na Dakeseeceeeeee 1907 4.1 7.0 9.9 +2.9 + 5.8 WOrs ie ee Sean cee 1908 13.3 15,3 16.0 +2.0 + 2.7 DON: ee ae Ue ertvouees 1909 28.3 PR 3 27.0 = 50) — 1.3 Highmore, S. Dak.......... 1907 28.8 29.7 30. 0 sp 28 + 1.2 DDO ee serait elie a te: i 1908 26. 3 19.7 30 7 —6.6 + 4.4 Bellefourche, S. Dak........ 1909 23.8 23, 3) 32.2 — .5 + 8.4 North Platte, Nebr......... | 1907 24.5 26. 0 31.8 +1.5 + 7.3 DOs ce eee ee eee 1908 22 Die 40.5 +4.6 +17.8 1 BO apne Aas Aicautt, Sane PN 1909 23.0 15.3 18.0 —7.7 — 5.0 Akron Colossae secon ae 1909 14.3 10.3 18.5 —4.0 + 4.2 IayiS; KeanSi ee soe ean 1908 il,2 4.5 4.2 +3.3 + 3.0 Garden City, Kans.......... 1909 2.1 3.2 6.7 +1.1 + 4.6 Dalivarl Mextete ees 1909 .0 .0 10.5 .0 +10. 5 Agari exes eee eh ey oe 1908 17.0 14.0 16.0 —3.0 — 1.0 DDO coe ee eae yt tea 1909 .0 2.8 10.5 +2.8 +10.5 ASVCLARCLESE Are sah are 17. 49 16. 53 | 22. 55 —0. 86 + 5.14 187 . CROPPING AND SUMMER TILLAGE. i Tasie II.—Comparison of yields to the acre of oats series, by groups. Dickinson, N. Dak. Do allefourchs, S. Dak North Platte, Nebr.. Do Akron, Colo........ Bays, IMANS. «<< .5 <0: Garden City, Kans. Walhart, Nex... .-- eat, 4 NED: een ea Continuous cropping. Gain (+) or vein ees loss (—) by oss (—) by Alternate Sancerrationt uuumer til- : cropping, Aveie Gatilne lage over Station. Year. Group A, Group B, Group = nary meth- orn eny ordinary irre ae ae ods, Group B Gran g *'D miennods: ion mer tillage. compared roup Cor methods. Saati COROT compared P*- with Group A. Bushels. Bushels. Bushels. Bushels. Bushels. Judith Basin, Mont....-.....-.. 1909 75.3 66. 2 78.7 — 9.1 + 3.4 Reese 1908 48.4 32.8 61.9 —15.6 +13.5 MP pe cise ts Sie 1909 50.9 | 58.4 66.6 + 2.5 +10.7 ater ee 1907 21.3 | 21.4 36.7 + .1 +15.4 I ee eset a 1908 16.9 | Ia yal ae ick als ate SE WAGS Att Aa eee se Ce GSe CC eRe tae ae 1909 57.5 46.8 55.6 —10.7 — 1.9 ayaa 1907 45.3 47.2 59.4 + 1.9 +14.1 JP Soe ORO e aCe ee aoe 1908 34.4 32.2 48.4 — 2.2 +14.0 EE Rr 1909 48.8 46.9 76.7 — 1.9 +27.9 | 1907 30.0 36.0 30.0 + 6.0 F re cae | 1908 34.4 68.5 82.3 +34.1 +47.9 Re etn ube at a Us 2s | 1909 31.3 24.1 46.3 — 7.2 +15.0 i sie Sas ay | 1909 21.1 14.1 PALS — 7.0 + 6.6 Dee ee | 1908 1.3 Bp di 3.9 + 2.4 + 2.2 Bae be ei 1909 1.0 B.D) 7.9 + 2.2 + 6.9 Se nice 1909 0 0 13.4 0 +13.4 pie Nemaeh tee Sy. 1908 20.0 32.2 31.6 +12.2 +11.6 eat 19¢9 0 0 231 0 +23.1 Sas nea) fel lee fist sin 30.16 30.5 44.11 + 0.34 +13.18 TaBLeE IIIl.—Comparison of yields to the acre of barley series, by groups. Station. Judith Basin, Mont........... a N. Dak. Bellefourche, Sd De cea eetenes atte | Se Platte, Nebr Akron, Colo........ Mays Kans, ...2.2 2. Garden City, Kans............ Dalhart, exe. 5. Us ntinuous cropping. i Alternate sues Ga DY summer til- cropping, OOP OWGTE lage over Year. Group A, eieue, B, eau C nary meth- ore nety ordinary SES ee Olea rons ods Group B rues) tion mer tillage. ISON Group Cor D methods. compared methods. with Group A.|_ Compared P*\with Group A. | Bushels. Bushels. Bushels. Bushels. Bushels. 1909 45.2 43.3 49.4 —1.9 + 4.2 pooner eeee 1908 33.5 23.9 30.0 — 9.6 — 3.5 Bien eye 1909 39.8 39.0 50.0 — .8 +10. 2 eee 1907 10.2 9.4 16.0 = 8 + 5.8 een LS 1908 25.0 24.2 24.2 Eats al ite) Sat ae are 1909 27.0 24.7 28.3 — 2.3 + 1.3 Sota ene trace 1907 30.2 Siek 40.2 + 6.9 +10. 0 SE cee eee 1908 29.8 26.0 46.7 — 3.8 +16.9 1909 23.8 25.0 Bo 83 + 1.2 +13. 5 i era he ae 1907 39.0 40.0 39.0 + 1.0 -0 Bos ee ae 1908 19.6 43.3 67.7 +23.7 +48.1 eye Se eas 1909 19.7 16.8 24.6 — 2.9 + 4.9 a erase 1908 5.8 12.4 18.9 + 6.6 +13.1 1909 2.4 4.8 10.0 + 2.4 + 7.6 SO Ha sae 1909 0 0 Uo) -0 + 7.5 os eee 1908 7.9 1133, 9) IG, + 5.3 + 7.3 Mrs oh St 1909 0 5.8 Ne) + 5.8 +17.5 | me eM een Selllbs a= 21.11 22. 88 30.74 + 1.76 + 9.62 187 18 CULTIVATION METHODS AND ROTATIONS FOR GREAT PLAINS. The most significant facts brought out by an inspection of the figures presented in Tables I, II, and III are as follows: (1) The yields in thirteen out of the eighteen seasons cited are above the normal for even the humid portions of the States where these stations are located, in some cases being more than double the normal. | (2) There are surprisingly small differences between the yields obtained from the three different methods used, these differences being in many instances in the opposite direction from what might be reasonably expected from the popular belief in the efficacy of the methods followed. (3) There is but a single instance where summer tillage and alter- nate cropping increased the yields above the ordinary methods suf- ficiently to pay fully for the extra labor and expense involved. This was at North Platte in 1908. The average results of the three years’ tests at this station do not, however, show profitable returns for sum- | mer tillage as compared with continuous cropping. The average results of crop rotation have been more profitable than either con- tinuous cropping or alternate cropping and summer tillage. (See Tables XXII and XXIII.) | (4) In all five instances (Edgeley, 1907; Hays, 1908; Garden City, 1909; Dalhart, 1909; and Amarillo, 1909), where severe droughts were experienced, the yields for the summer-tilled plats as compared with the ordinary-method plats were much greater, the ratios being - as follows: Edgeley—wheat 2.4 times, oats 1.7 times, barley 1.6 times; Hays—wheat 3.5 times, oats 2.7 times, barley 3.3 times; Garden City—wheat 3.2 times, oats 4.1 times, barley 7.9 times. At both Dalhart and Amarillo, in 1909, the ordinary-method plats were complete failures from drought, while the yields on the summer- tilled plats were as follows: Dalhart—wheat 10.5 bushels, oats 13.4 bushels, barley 7.5 bushels per acre; Amarillo—wheat 10.5 bushels, oats 23.1 bushels, barley 17.5 bushels per acre. None of these yields obtained during these dry years were sufficient to make the crops profitable. After a careful consideration of all the data submitted and all the arguments for and against the sufficiency of these data as a safe basis for conclusions, the following tentative conclusions are sub- mitted: CONCLUSIONS CONCERNING SUMMER TILLAGE AND CONTINUOUS CROPPING. (1) The practice of summer tillage and alternate cropping can not be considered a safe basis for a permanent agriculture in the Great Plains area, where spring-sown wheat, oats, or barley are the staple crops. 187 CROPPING AND SUMMER TILLAGE. 19 (2) Summer tillage will almost invariably increase the yield of wheat, oats, or barley and will materially reduce the danger of com- plete crop failure due to drought. It may therefore be resorted to as a safeguard or temporary expedient to meet a possible emergency, but it can not be depended upon to produce as profitable spring- sown crops as may be produced by other methods. Very good crops can usually be raised by one plowing and one or two harrowings, as is shown by yields obtained from continuous cropping by ordinary methods. Alternate cropping and summer tillage by methods used in these tests require on an average two plowings, four diskings, and twelve harrowings. Each farmer must decide for himself whether he can afford to perform this additional amount of labor in order to secure an increase in yield, which if the season proves favorable may be small, and to materially reduce the danger of total failure if the season proves unfavorable. He should, however, remember that summer tillage will in no way reduce the many dangers other than drought, such as unseasonable frosts and high winds, to which crops are subject. In fact, these dangers may be materially increased under a system of summer tillage. It frequently happens that specially favorable soil conditions early in the spring induce such a rank growth of the young grain plants that the injury from both late spring frosts and summer drought is greatly increased. These factors were of such importance as to completely reverse the results at North Platte, Nebr., in 1909. The moisture-conservation plats of wheat on both continuous crop- ping and alternate cropping gave lower yields than the ordinary- method plats, the loss due to good tillage being 7.7 bushels per acre for continuous cropping and 5 bushels per acre for alternate cropping. Several other instances of the same nature are shown in Tables I, II, and III. This loss on well-tilled plats may in some instances be due to proximate causes other than frost or drought. It seems reason- ably certain, however, that the ultimate cause is usually over- stimulation of the crop at some stage in its growth. It is a well- recognized fact among farmers that grain usually suffers more severely from rust when the growth is very rank and succulent than when it is less vigorous. A well-tilled soil may sometimes blow worse than a poorly tilled one. (3) The result of the experiments with moisture-conservation methods upon continuously cropped plats are so contradictory that no definite conclusions can be arrived at. This is true not only where different stations are compared, but where the same station for different years, or the same stations for the same years with different crops, are compared. All the evidence, however, goes to show that the time and depth of plowing and seeding and the har- rowing of the grain after seeding are problems that are local in their 187 : 90 CULTIVATION METHODS AND ROTATIONS FOR GREAT PLAINS. nature. The solutions of these problems are also so dependent upon seasonal conditions of soil and climate that no safe generalization concerning them can be made. Each farmer must therefore work out the best practice for his particular farm, crop, and season. It | is believed, however, that our investigations? show that fairly deep plowing—about 8 inches—and thorough preparation of the seed bed will give better results than shallower plowing on most soils, whether spring or fall plowing is practiced. The deeper the plowing, the more thorough should be the harrowing in order to form a compact seed bed. | CROP ROTATION COMPARED WITH CONTINUOUS CROPPING. OUTLINE OF THE THREE-YEAR ROTATIONS. At the same eleven stations described in the previous pages, a series of nine 3-year rotations were established at the same time that the continuous cropping experiments were begun. The plan of these rotations is described in the accompanying outline and in the explan- atory notes following. These rotations are identical for all of the eleven stations. Outline of 3-year rotations. Rotation No. 1. Plat A. Spring wheat on corn ground disked but not plowed. Plat B. Oats on ground plowed early the preceding fall. Plat C. Corn on ground plowed early the preceding fall. Rotation No. 2. Plat A. Spring wheat on spring-plowed ground. Plat B. Oats on spring-plowed ground. Plat C. Corn on spring-plowed ground. Rotation No. 3. Plat A. Spring wheat on ground plowed early the preceding fall. Plat B. Oats on ground plowed early the preceding fall. Plat C. Corn on ground plowed early the preceding fall. Rotation No. 4. Plat A. Oats on corn ground not plowed but disked. Plat B. Spring wheat on fall-plowed ground. Plat C. Corn on fall-plowed ground. Rotation No. 5. Plat A. Spring wheat on summer-tilled land. Plat B. Oats on ground plowed early the preceding fall. Plat C. Summer tilled. Rotation No. 6. Plat A. Barley on corn ground not plowed but disked. Plat B. Oats on ground plowed early the preceding fall. Plat C. Corn on ground plowed early the preceding fall. 2 See the discussion of crop rotation which follows. 187 CROP ROTATION COMPARED WITH CONTINUOUS CROPPING. Mal Rotation No. 7. Plat A. Oats on spring-plowed ground. Plat B. Barley on spring-plowed ground. Plat C. Corn on spring-plowed ground. Rotation No. 8. Plat A. Oats on summer-tilled land. Plat B. Spring wheat on ground plowed early the preceding fall. Plat C. Summer tilled. Rotation No. 9. Plat A. Oats on spring-plowed ground. Plat B. Spring wheat on spring-plowed ground. Plat C. Corn on spring-plowed ground. The nine 3-year rotations are so planned as to give an oppor- tunity to compare the several rotations considered as units and also to compare the several crops grown in different rotations under systems of soil preparation and following different crops. As each rotation is represented by three plats, each of the crops entering into the rotation is represented every year. This is a very important feature and one that has been neglected in most of the rotation experiments heretofore made. By this system the differences in yield produced by the seasonal peculiarities are eliminated and it may safely be assumed that any difference in yield that occurs in any two crops of the same kind grown the same year in two rotations is due either to the method of soil preparation or to crop sequence. Which of these two factors is the controlling one may usually be determined by an easy method of cross-checking with the same crop in other rotations, whereby one or both factors may be elimi- nated. As an example of some of the comparisons that may be made and the conclusions drawn, the following are suggested: Rotations Nos. 1, 2, and 3 are identical so far as crops and sequence are concerned, but each differs from the other in soil preparation for the wheat crop. Any difference in the wheat yields in rotations Nos. 1 and 3 may safely be attributed to the effects of stubbling in No. 1 instead of fall plowing the corn ground as in No. 3, this being the only variable factor. The two rotations thus as units may be safely com- pared to determine the effect of stubbling upon the wheat crop and also upon the two crops which follow, namely, oats and corn. The oat crops in these rotations may be safely compared to see whether the effect of the soil preparation for the corn crop is apparent in the sub- sequent crop of oats. The corn crop in these two rotations being so far removed from the only variable factor should be about equal, and any difference will have to be accounted for in a way not apparent, 187 22 CULTIVATION METHODS AND ROTATIONS FOR GREAT PLAINS. except that in No. 2 spring plowing has been practiced, while Nos. 1 and 3 are fall plowed. Rotations Nos. 2 and 3 are identical, except that spring plowing is practiced in No. 2, while No. 3 is fall plowed. This will give an oppor- tunity to compare spring with fall plowing both upon the rotations as units and upon each of the several crops of the rotation. Rotations Nos. 1 and 4 have the same crops in each, but their sequence is changed, oats instead of wheat being stubbled in after — corn, with wheat following oats instead of oats following wheat. A comparison of these two wheat and oats crops will give some very definite information concerning the proper sequence of these two crops, as well as the proper relation of the corn crop to each. The relative effect of wheat and oats upon the following corn crop can also be studied. Rotations Nos. 1, 2, and 3 may be compared with rotation No. 5 to ascertain the relative merits of summer-fallowing and cropping to corn as a preparation for a wheat crop, taking into consideration that but two crops are grown in three years in the case of No. 5, while three crops are grown in Nos. 1, 2, and 3. In rotation No. 6 a barley crop has been substituted for the wheat crops which occur im all the preceding rotations. Many comparisons may be made between these six rotations that will throw much light upon sequence as oN as cultivation. Rotation No. 7 is like No. 6, except that the relative positions of oats and barley oe been moneteseck The same comparison may be made with this as with No. 6. | In rotation No. 8 we have another chance to compare summer fallow with corn as a preparation for small-grain crops, oats being the crop used to follow the summer fallow in this instance. A com- parison of No. 8 with No. 4 will bring out the relative value of corn and summer fallow as a preparation for oats, and a comparison with No. 1 and No. 5 will show whether the best results will be obtained from using wheat, oats, or barley as a crop to follow corn or summer- fallow. Rotation No. 9 is identical with No. 3, except that the sequence is changed. Besides the comparisons already mentioned, the list of which might be indefinitely extended, each one of the nine rotations may be compared as a unit with any other. We have seven crops of wheat growing each year, as follows: No. 1. Wheat after corn—stubbled in. No. 5. Wheat after summer fallow. No. 2. Wheat after corn—spring plowing. | No. 8. Wheat after oats—fall plowing. - No. 3. Wheat after corn—fall plowing. No. 9. Wheat after oats—spring plowing. No. 4. Wheat after oats—tfall plowing. 187 es CROP ROTATION COMPARED WITH CONTINUOUS CROPPING. 23 We have seven crops of corn, grown as follows: No. 1. Corn after oats—fall plowing. — No. 6. Corn after oats—fall plowing. No. 2. Corn after oats—spring plowing. No. 7. Corn after barley—spring plowing. No. 3. Corn after oats—fall plowing. No. 9. Corn after wheat—spring plowing. No. 4. Corn after wheat—fall plowing. Oats enter into each of the nine rotations, and have been grown as follows: No. 1. Oats after wheat—fall plowing. No. 6. Oats after barley—fall plowing. No. 2. Oats after wheat—spring plowing. | No. 7. Oats after corn—spring plowing. No. 3. Oats after wheat—fall plowing. No. 8. Oats after summer fallow. No. 4. Oats after corn—stubbled in. No. 9. Oats after corn—spring plowing. No. 5. Oats after wheat—fall plowing. Barley enters into but two of the rotations, as follows: No. 6. Barley after corn—stubbled in. | No. 7. Barley after oats—spring plowing. An inspection of this tabular arrangement of the crops will at once show that there are a very large number of questions concerning soil preparation and crop sequence that may be definitely answered by this series of experiments, not from the result of a single instance but by a system of cross-checking from the results of several crops grown every year under different systems of soil preparation and crop sequence. EXPLANATORY NOTES. The purposes of this series of rotations are to test the effect of crop sequence and time of plowing. Good farming is practiced upon all the plats. No special methods of moisture conservation are contemplated in this experiment. Plow- ing is to a depth of 8 inches and is uniform for all plats. Fall plowing is done as early in the season as practicable. Whether the land is disked or harrowed or left undisturbed after fall plowing is left to the judgment of the man immediately in charge. Whatever practice in this respect is adopted for one of these rotations is followed for all in this series. The same general rule is applied to plowing and the fitting of the seed bed in the spring. Such an amount of work is done upon the land as will put it in good tilth. In spring plowing for corn the rule has been to have the plowing deferred until corn-planting time, and for the planter to follow as closely after the plowing as possible and the harrow immediately after the planter. In some instances it has seemed desirable to disk or harrow the ground before spring plowing for corn. This is left to the judgment of the man in charge. The summer-tilled plats in this series have been treated like the summer-tilled plats in the moisture-conservation series discussed in the previous pages. 187 94 CULTIVATION METHODS AND ROTATIONS FOR GREAT PLAINS. These rotations were not planned nor are they here presented as the best rotations for the Great Plains area. They are seriously defective in that they make no provision for maintaining or restoring the organic matter to the soil. They were established for the pur- pose of studying the effects of crop sequence, or the effect that one crop has upon the crops following it, and the relative merits of fall and spring plowing. For these purposes these simple rotations have some marked advantages over longer and better rotations. This phase of the experiments will be but very briefly mentioned at this time, although it is believed that the thoughtful reader may find some very interesting, although possibly not conclusive, evidence on these subjects by a careful study of these tables. This subject will be more fully treated in some future publication. The purpose of introducing these figures at this time is to show that even these defective 3-year rotations have given better net results than either the continuous cropping or alternate cropping and summer tillage described in the foregoing pages. By ‘“‘better net results” that at nearly all stations the yields have been better for all three crops—wheat, oats, and barley—where the rotation of crops has been practiced than where the same crop has been grown continuously on the same ground. This statement is equally true concerning both ordinary methods and moisture-conservation methods of continuous cropping. The labor and expense involved in raising crops under a system of rotation are not materially greater than where continuous cropping by ordinary methods is practiced. The labor and expense of raising crops under moisture-conservation methods of continuous cropping are materially greater than under a system of crop rotation, as these two systems have been practiced in these experiments. Where but one crop is raised in two years, as in the case of alter- nate cropping and summer tillage, the labor and expense per crop are nearly or quite double that of either rotation or continuous crop- ping by ordinary methods. Jn order, then, to make the net results as favorable under alternate cropping as under either continuous cropping or crop rotation, the yields should be nearly double. Sum- mer tillage has nearly always increased the yields, but it has seldom doubled them. In only a few instances has this increase been suffi- cient to pay the bare expenses of the additional labor involved. Crop rotation has therefore given better net returns than either alternate cropping and summer tillage or continuous cropping by either ordi- nary methods or moisture-conservation methods, as is shown by — Tables XXII and XXIII. A COMMON BASIS OF COMPARISON. In order to answer many of the important questions concerning the relation and adaptability of rotations, it is apparent that we must have some common basis of comparison for the several crops 187 is meant. CROP ROTATION COMPARED WITH CONTINUOUS CROPPING. 25 grown in the rotation. The rotations giving the best yields of wheat seldom give the best yields of oats, and the best rotations calculated on an oat basis are not the best for barley. In order to make the necessary comparisons we must be able to reduce the figures repre- senting the yields in bushels per acre of all the crops in the rotation to a common unit of measurement. This has been done for wheat, corn, oats, and barley. The Bureau of Statistics reports * as follows concerning the aver- age farm price per bushel for the ten years 1900-1909, inclusive: Average price per bushel for wheat, corn, oats, and barley, in four States, 1900-1909. State. Wheat. | Corn. Oats. Barley. Cents. Cents. Cents. 3 38 TOUEETM, ID STO ey So See, ADA le ee 44 1 SOU IOBIKOUB Sas Soe See Smiter eee eae ee SS Cee Sees ene ee ee ety 67 37 29 37 INIGIGPREIRD | LS SASS Sel oe a es Oe ae es 63 | 35 29 36 SECT SAS ep eee fares eh een ath NAG hay IN SS 67 40 33 39 ASTD 5g ae ONG Se Ae Ne A eee I ete See ee aoe me rae 66 | 39 30 38 These four States were selected as giving a more reliable basis than could be obtained by including Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Okla- homa, Texas, and New Mexico. All of these latter-named States have a portion of their territory lying within territory where local conditions of supply and demand very seriously affect both the rela- tive and the absolute prices. On the other hand, the four States first named lie entirely within the Plains region, with sufficiently free access to the large grain markets to insure them against any serious influence from purely local conditions. The figures given will therefore be used, after making one correction, for calculating the value of the rotations. This one correction is in the case of the price for wheat. The figures given are the averages for all the wheat marketed in the four States specified. This includes durum as well as common wheats. Durum wheats were used exclusively in our experiments with spring wheat. The price of durum wheat has nearly always been less than the averages for all wheats—just how much lower on the average for the last ten years we have no means of knowing. Neither have we any satisfactory basis for calculating the percentage of durum to the entire wheat crop of these States. It has therefore been decided to arbitrarily reduce the above estimate to 60 cents per bushel for durum wheats. It is probable that the reduction should be greater than this rather than less, but in the absence of any more satisfactory basis the following prices in cents per bushel have been adopted: ‘4 Crop Reporter, December, 1909, p. 82. 187 96 CULTIVATION METHODS AND ROTATIONS FOR GREAT PLAINS. While these values per bushel seem to be the most reliable obtain- able, they are open to several objections, among which are the following: * They are much too low for all crops to agree with present prices, or those obtaining when these investigations were made. As it is the relative rather than the absolute prices of these crops that are of most importance, this defect is not so serious as some others. If these prices were relatively correct, they could be raised horizontally to suit market prices at any given time, without disturbing their relations to each other, by simply multiplying them by some factor which would bring them all up to the proper figure. A much more serious defect is found in the fact that the average prices for the last ten years do not bear the same relation to each other that the crop- producing power of the soil bears to those prices when sown to these crops under exactly the same conditions. To illustrate, we give below the average yields obtained from each of the three grain crops in all the 18 tests under continuous cropping by ordinary methods and by crop rotation, with the value per acre, calculated on the basis of the farm price per bushel for the last ten years: TaBLe IV.—Average yields on experimental plats, in bushels, and average farm value per acre, based on the average prices for ten years, 1900-1909, inclusive, in North and South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas. | Price Farm Cropping method. Wheat. Oats. Barley. per value per | bushel. acre. Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. Cents. Continuous cropping, ordinary methods............. AeA ah AOS Sees ONE eS eB eee 60 $10. 44 ea Ser nen Ee teg ore Srey one aS S| es Sos ie BO RZ eee eee 30 9. 06 1D} pie eee i ene ee eee CAMEO ee ei ea ae wera na asooeaooe 21.1 38 8. 02 Three-year TOtatlonuce o- sja-cesoosee wee ence eee ones Qs Sia) sora er a eer eee 60 11.88 1 Dene aah A ee eNO eS aT CaaS a BN Soe mae Hoholseasaccuas 30 10. 89 DOS eS hs eS er eee a Te Ee al Tere Re | ea 24.3 38 9.23 It will be seen that wheat under continuous cropping produced a farm value per acre of $10.44, while oats produced only $9.06 and barley $8.02.. The land upon which these yields were obtained was the same for each of the three crops. The climatic conditions and the preparation of the soil were the same. The cost of raising the crop was essentially the same for all the crops. Therefore, the farm value per acre should have been the same if the farmer were to receive the same profit on each crop. Such, however, was not the case, as shown by the above figures. In order to make the same profit from all the crops, it would have been necessary to secure 344 cents per bushel for oats, instead of 30 cents and 493 cents per bushel for barley. With crop rotation the results are similar; the price for oats should have been 33 cents and for barley 49 cents to make the farm value per acre the same as for wheat at 60 cents per. 187 CROP ROTATION COMPARED WITH CONTINUOUS CROPPING. 27 bushel. Figuring wheat on a 90-cents-per-bushel basis, which is approximately the present market price, oats should bring about 51 cents and barley about 73 cents per bushel. This is considerably in excess of present farm prices for oats and barley, which shows that they are at present and have been for the last ten years rela- tively too low in comparison with wheat. This is an important consideration with every farmer who is planning to diversify his crops in order to adopt a system of crop rotation. It is evident that in order to receive equal immediate cash returns for his crops he must accomplish one or more of the following results: (1) He must, by selecting varieties especially adapted to the locality or by better methods of tillage, increase the relative yields of oats and barley as compared with wheat above those obtained in these investigations; or (2) he must, by raising oats or barley of superior quality, obtain prices in advance of the average market price; or (3) he must, by feeding these grains, realize more than the market price for them; or (4) he must, by adopting a rotation of crops instead of cropping continuously to the same crop, improve the condition of his farm, and by reducing the loss from weeds, diseases, and insect attacks increase the yields of all the crops grown so as to make the net returns from his farm equal to or greater than those obtainable from continuous cropping to wheat. It is probable that most of the results mentioned may be obtained by adopting a proper system of crop rotation. The value of the results so obtained and the best method of obtaining them depend largely upon local conditions of soil and climate, the market prices for grain and live stock, and frequently upon various other condi- tions more or less local or individual in their nature. Such being the case, each farmer must necessarily depend largely upon his own judgment and knowledge of these conditions in deciding how best to accomplish the desired results. The discussion of the results of these investigations will, therefore, be confined mainly to showing what may reasonably be expected from increased yields due directly to crop rotation as compared with continuous crapping. Table V has been prepared by using the same values per bushel as in Table IV and the yields from continuous cropping by ordinary methods at each of the stations as a basis. The figures given in the table in the column headed ‘‘Average for wheat and oats” have been used as a basis of comparison with rotations 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, and 9 in Tables XXIT and XXIII. The figures in column headed ‘ Average for barley and oats” have been used as a basis of comparison with rotations 6 and 7 in the same tables. The figures given in the 187 28 CULTIVATION METHODS AND ROTATIONS FOR GREAT PLAINS. columns headed ‘‘Wheat at 60 cents,” ‘‘Oats at 30 cents,” and ‘Barley at 38 cents,” respectively, may be used to make comparisons of yields per acre and farm values per acre between continuous cropping and crop rotation for wheat, oats, or barley in any rota- tion or for any test reported in Tables VI to XIV, inclusive. TasLe V.— Yields from continuous cropping by ordinary methods, in bushels and in farm value per acre, at average prices for the ten years 1900-1909, inclusive. Wheat at 60 Oats at 30 Barl t 38 | a = ae ou : r eat at 6 ats a arley a or or Stanion: Lean cents. cents. cents. wheat barley and oats. | and oats. Bush. Bush. Bush. Judith Basin, Mont......| 1909 33.0 | $19. 80 75.3 | $22. 59 45.2 | $17.20 $21. 20 $19. 90 Dickinson, N. Dak....--- 1908 24.3 | 14.58 48.4 | 14.52 33.9 | 125738 14.55 13. 62 DO) 5 Lies aes oe 1909 26.8 | 16.08 55.9 | 16.77 39.8 | 15.12 16.42°|" .\ wong Edgeley, N. Dak.-....--- 1907 4.1 2. 46 Zilles 6.39 10. 2 3. 88 4. 43 5.13 Dota Awa. inet eee 1908 13.3 7.98 16.9 5. 07 25.0 9. 50 6. 53 7.29 Osea mer emo 1909 28.3 | 16.98 b¢.9 | 17.25 27.0 | 10.26 alge ilat Shy Highmore, 8. Dak.....--- 1907 BS || de 23 45.2 | 13.59 30.2 | 11.48 15. 44 12. 53 CO tae? ea pe 1908 26.3 | 15.78 34.4 | 10.32 2928." Ule32 13. 05 10. 82 Bellefourche, S. Dak 1909 23.8 | 14.28 48.8 | 14.64 23.8 9.04 14. 46 11. 84 North Platte, Nebr....-.-. 1907 24.5 | 14.70 30.0 9. 00 39.0 | 14.82 11. 85 11.91 DON aie eee aie 1908 22.7 | 13.62 34.2 | 10.34 19.6 7.45 11.98 8. 90 DOs ease ce 1909 23.0 | 13.80 31.3 QE SO! | ar eae 11.59 9. 30 Akron COloxe eens 1909 14.3 8. 58 21.1 6. 33 I) 7. 49 7. 46 6.91 Hays mans eee sean o: 1908 1.2 72 1.3 39 5.8 2.20 56 1.30 Garden City, Kans...... 1909 2.1 1.26 0 . 30 2.4 91 78 61 Dalinanh exec sees 1909 0.0 0. 00 0.0 0. 00 0.0 0. 00 0. 00 0. 00 Acmarillo, Pex. yas) oe 1908 17.0 | 10.20 20. 0 6. 00 “9 3.00 8.10 4.50 DOL Kee eee eee as 1909 0.0 0. 00 0.0 0. 00 0.0 0. 00 0. 00 0. 00 AVCraSO 2 nC tenes Be 17.4 | 10.44 30.2 9. 06 21.1 8. 02 9.75 8. 53 The following nine tables, Tables VI to XIV, inclusive, show in detail the yields per acre in bushels and the farm value per acre for each of the three crops grown in the nineteen tests. The farm values have been calculated on the basis of 60 cents for wheat, 30 cents for oats, 38 cents for barley, and 39 cents for corn. In these tables the average farm values in dollars per acre of the two small-grain crops only in each rotation have been considered. Seven of these rotations contain corn crops, and two of them, Nos. 5 and 8, a year of summer tillage each. There is therefore one factor— the yield of the corn crop—which has so far been neglected in con- sidering the relative yields of the rotations. This omission is to be regretted, but it seemed unavoidable for the following reasons: (1) The corn crop lends itself much less readily to growing on small plats so as to give results comparable to those of large fields than do wheat, oats, and barley. While careful records of all corn yields have been kept, they are not entitled to the same confidence as the small-grain yields. (2) Very little, if any, of the Great Plains area can be considered as a corn-growing country. In most of the area corn can and will be profitably grown, but a considerable share of the profit from its growth will be derived from the beneficial effect 187 wee CROP ROTATION COMPARED WITH CONTINUOUS CROPPING. 29 which the growing of the corn crop has in preparing the soil for the crops of small grain which are to follow it in rotation. It is assumed that the corn crop will produce enough in the form of fodder and grain to at least pay for the labor involved in its pro- duction. The labor involved in raising a crop of corn is no greater than that required to summer till an equal area. In comparing the yields obtained from the small-grain crops in a rotation containing summer tillage with one containing corn it has been assumed that the yields from the summer-tillage rotation must be enough in excess of those from the corn rotation to pay for the summer tillage. Or, to put it in another way, the corn crop must be sufficient to equal in value the excess in yield of the two small-grain crops in the summer- tilled over those in the corn rotation. Whatever form of compari- son is used it is assumed that the labor required to produce a crop of corm is approximately the same as to summer till. The corn crop pays for the work bestowed upon it, while the summer-tilled rotation must produce enough more small grain to pay for the cost of the sum- mer tillage. Corn should therefore be much more commonly grown than it now is in this area, not because it is a profitable crop in itself, but because it takes the place of summer tillage in the rotation and at least pays for the labor bestowed upon it. A corn crop might therefore be con- sidered a complete failure judged from the standpoint of grain pro- duction, but still yield enough in the way of rough fodder and be valu- able enough in its effect upon subsequent crops in the rotation to make it a very profitable crop. In the double columns headed ‘‘Corn”’ are given the yields in bushels per acre and the farm value per acre based upon the actual yields of grain wherever the crop matured. The yields of fodder are also given in pounds per acre, but no value is calculated for this por- tion of the crop. It will be noticed that in many instances a good yield of fodder was obtained without any reported yield of grain. This is due to the failure of the crop to mature. The selection of an earlier maturing variety would undoubtedly in many instances have resulted in a good yield of grain. The corn yields do not enter into the valuation of the rotation. These figures are given simply to show that corn can be grown at these stations. 187 30 CULTIVATION METHODS AND ROTATIONS FOR GREAT PLAINS TaBLe VI.— Yields of wheat, oats, and corn in bushels per acre and farm value per acre m nineteen tests, 1906-1909, inclusive. ROTATION No. 1. Plat A. Spring wheat on corn ground disked but not plowed. Plat B. Oats on ground plowed early the preceding fall. Plat C. Corn on ground plowed early the preceding fall. Aver- age : value . r orn |per acre Station. Year. Wheat. Oats. Corn. fodder of wheat and oats Bushels Bushels Bushels. Pounds. Judith Basin, Mont.......... 1909 S4ACSe | S20N8Sals GSo i poO NAS cl ea eee eee 8,1€0 | $20.66 Diceieeon NE Dakeas Seance 1908 30.8 21.48 | 35.3 10. SOE Ss | ee ee 22050 16. 03 AN apa bs xo Spe mae rh a 1909 39.8 23.88 | 64.4 19. 32 50.7 | $19.77 2,080 21. 60 Bageley, BN [Gal Dear eee ae 1907 16.7 10.02 | 25.9 VT Ge eee ere Eh | 4,150 8.90 Se MOC epee mens, EM 1908 24.0 14.40 | 26:3 7689) | soso eS REO 11.14 ec ciaepeline ae pe a wos went eta 1909 33.0 19.80 | 64.0 19. 20 30:8" |) | 12501S ese a0) 19. 50 Highmore Seales ee eee 1906 PARK 7 16.02 | 45.3 13. 59 33.1 12:01 eee pa LAS Qi aha RCE Te ae es 1907 21.5 12.90 | 46.9 14. 07 21.4 8.35: oo aed Loe i ee Atk 4S Rae eae 1908 24.3 14.58 | 28.8 8. 64 16.4 6:40) | a elo! Ballefourche, Salk. aes 1909 29.4 17.64 | 55.6 16. €8 20.7 8.07 | 3,370 17.16 North Platte, INe@biee see 1907 22.3 13.38 | 26.9 8.07 14.4 5.62 | 5,080 10. 73 DD Oe ee ae ee 1908 28.6 CHGS 18. 09 31.8 | 12.40 | 3,620 17. 62 DOs seis yer ees eee 1909 Pale 7 18502 |) Pah 6.93 Dial 9.79 | 2,490 9.98 Mikron, COlO-se2e en ee ee 1909 25.0 15.00 | 25.6 7.€8 26.4 | 10.30} 1,909 11. 34 lays; (Keans-scse ben se ae 1908 3 2.22 | 28.5 8.55 4.2 1.64 | 6,665 5.39 Garden City, Kans...........}| 1909 1.0 . 60 3.0 {00st ea -00 | 2,820 515 Dalharts Mex <5) cage oe 1909 30) . 00 .0 JQ0F Saree ee - 00 650 . 00 iAomarillo; Lexis. ence eee 1908 8.3 4.98 | 28.1 8. 43 16.6 6.48 | 2,740 6.71 Dose sae Eee eon 1909 .0 .00 | 10.0 Se OOM eee -00 | 1,610 1.50 IAN ERAS OS cee ee es eee 20. 87 12552) } 35206). WOL52"|). 22222 ae ee 11.52 | TaBLeE VII.— Yields of wheat, oats, and corn in bushels per acre and farm value per acre in nineteen tests, 1906-1909, inclusive. ROTATION No. 2. Plat A. Spring wheat on spring-plowed ground. Plat B. Oats on spring-plowed ground. Plat C. Corn on spring-plowed ground. Station. Year. Wheat. Oats. | Bushels Bushels Judith Basin, Mont.........- | 1909 33.1 | $19.86 | 63.1 18. 93 Dickinson, N. Dak.........- 1908 35. 0 21.00 | 52.5 15.75 DD Opa ie Bare Slee ee 1909 39.7 | 23.82; .60.6 18.18 uidesley, IN Dak tees) sengs5 1907 13.2 792 | 2907 8.91 SOE SAS: eee knee 1908 15.8 | 9.48 | 20.6 6.18 Sith irs a ee re ieee 1909 S78) I GG I] © GB 7 19.11 Highmor, SDakes.- Sera 1906 Bed | LOs38elPessas 11. 64 De SE EAE Vo meats beats 1907 29.0 17.40 | 41.6 12. 48 SOPs nit SOR e ns eel 1908 25.2 | 15.12) 36.9 11.07 Beso GEGHE Sa Dakenne sane 1909 23.9 | 14.384) 42.5 12.75 North Platte, NG@DI 22a es 1907 23.7 4S 225 o2no 9. 69 Dot 2 ea eee ee 1908 24.0 | 14.40] 36.9 11.07 DOnprs nee Pee 1909 17? 10.32 | 28.1 8. 43 Akron: (Cologe::e-ea5c0 ee 1909 20.8 12.48 | 18.3 5. 49 bays, Kans ape a eee 1908 Way || -.90 | 26.0 7. 80 Garden City, Kans.........- 1909 4.0 | 2.40 1.3 . 39 Dalhart,TRexsptseroe eee 1909 Onn . 00 20 . 00 AMATO; REX tee no eee 1908 8.0 | 4.80 2. 34 7.02 | DO en. «SU. Sena eee ee 1909 .0 . 00 0 . 00 Average 25 oo eee | eee 19.68 | 11.81 | 32.44 9.73 187 Corn. Bushels. 49.7 | $19.38 9163. | oe 42.7 16. 55 21.4 8. 35 28.8 11. 23 a2, 6. 71 17.0 6. 63 31.6 12. 32 25.0 9.75 26. 3 10. 26 16.0 6. 24 PROS hese 5.03. 16:84 ee eee Corn fodder. 7 ‘ i ’ 4 P CROP ROTATION COMPARED WITH CONTINUOUS CROPPING. ol TasLe VIII.— Yields of wheat, oats, and corn in bushels per acre and farm value per acre m nineteen tests, 1906-1909, inclusive. ROTATION No. 3. Plat A. Spring wheat on ground plowed early the preceding fall. Plat B. Oats on ground plowed early the preceding fall. Plat C. Corn on ground plowed early the preceding fall. Aver- age value Station. Year. Wheat. Oats. Corn. f wo Be ACTE auicat and oats. ‘Bushels. Bushels. Bushels. Pounds. Judith Basin, Mont.....--.. 1909 31.0 | $18.60 OLAS Re 15) (og Sees eS oie 8,960 |} $18.53 Diekimson, N. Dak. ........- 1908 30.0 | 21-00 SOS OF RG Vee scen oes Ie eke ee 2,510 16. 33 IDG oe 1909 37.3 22.38 62.5 | 18.75 48.3 | $18.84 | 1,940 20. 57 ndecley, IN/GS1D 2 cee 1907 12.6 7. 56 30. 5 ORGS ise Ceres Ee 3, 150 8. 35 a2 Caeser 1908 20.8 12. 48 16.9 OSOM Gees oleae eee oo 900 8.78 De ee ee cites se 1909 32.5 19. 50 66.5 |} 19.95 2920) | esi 2,750 19. 72 ae Se Wakes 2. 58 soe 1906 25.5 15. 30 47.2 | 14.16 39. 1 WOS2 Gye aes ae 14. 73 2 ae oe ee 1907 27.2 16. 32 45.3 | 13.59 22.9 RSA yal as es 14. 96 EP eae ee ee 1908 25.7 15. 42 29.7 8.91 19. 6 (AGAa eee e216 Eousfoaiche, Sy IDEN eS ee Seen 1909 29.9 17.94 53.6 | 16.08 17.8 6.94 | 3,415 17.01 North Platte, ING) 0 2a see 1907 20.7 12. 42 30. 6 9.18 19.6 7.64 | 4,670 10. 80 pe nnd SYR Re aL ee 1908 21.0 16. 62 60.3 | 18.09 Son dal ol4s i ge430 17. 36 BON ae es 1909 24.3 14. 58 18.3 5. 49 22.6 SUA | DQ ile® 10. 04 Agron, COG.25 sae 1909 19.2 11. 52 18.8 5. 64 25.7 10.02 | 4,400 8. 58 Hays, Cans) aga 1908 3.9 2.34 20.1 6. 03 oat ODN 700 4.19 Garden) City, Kans.) 2.5... - 1909 Qe2, 1.32 .0 OOF pes eene 00 |} 2,940 66 ID@U Se Tres INS ce ee ee ere 1909 0 00 .0 OO Rees .00 | 1,000 00 PAM AT ENOL OX oi 2 sc a ies 1908 8.5 5. 10 21.5 8. 25 17.6 6.86 | 3,250 6. 67 OR eee oe et 1909 0 00 17.8 Bed An | beens -00 | 1,480 2. 67 iran ee eee etl Oe AOE USA Le 1020 ease So | S| eee | ttt6 TasBLE [X.— Yields of oats, wheat, and corn in bushels per acre and farm value per acre in nineteen tests, 1906-1909, inclusive. ROTATION No. 4. Plat A. Oats on corm ground, not plowed but disked. Plat B. Spring wheat on fall-plowed ground. Plat C. Corn on fall-plowed ground. Aver- age - a value : > ‘orn | per acre Station. Year. Oats. Wheat. Corn. Fodder of wheat and | oats. Bushels. Bushels. Bushels. Pounds. Judith Basin, Mont......... 1909 PSA ER ES SEES) EMO ete aS ee 7,040 | $21.11 Pe sor, IN Dake see |e 1908 67.2 20.16 | 18.8 TNs iS eee es eee tere 2,330 15572 i 6 a ae eee 1909 f2a5 21.75 | 34.3 20.58 | 48.9 | $19.07} 2,000 PALS IP dgeley, Nie Dales 2 1907 | 28.8 8.64] 10.5 G30 ge earea PS 2, 850 7.47 58 OS Ses Se eee 1908 23.4 (EU) USS 7 Oa eam oases eel ly hOU 8. 22 ests aceasta ene 1909 63. 7 19.11 28.5 L105) 3251 P2020 25950 18. 16 Tighmor, See Dake nssae sss | 1906 61. 6 18.48 | 25.0 15.00 | 36.1 AOS) |Seseene 16. 74 ee ene eae ce| LOOY =~ A824 14.52 | 29.0 17.40 | 22.6 SESTs ese 15. 96 Socal eee Soe ee eee | 1908 | 35.6 10.68 | 21.8 13.08 | 8.4 SHAT NSoesgoeeiey -Tlleters Beliefouiclie, Sa ake: 22h. a 1909 | 75.0 22.50 | 29.7 17.82 | 19.8 (CU2N BANS 20. 16 porn. Platte, INeDre es ses ; 1907 | 40.6 12.18 | 24.2 14. 52 Le eN7, 6. 90 4,570 13530 Bee ey aterate Se creeks 1908 54.3 UG AD aye 3} 18.78 | 30.0 i. 70) 3,670 17. 54 De S06 ESS Soe nea eee 1909 22.5 6.75 | 16.8 10.08 | 29.6 11.54 | 2,730 8. 41 PNETON A COLO Ze 566 one oe ses | 1909 PAIR} 6.39 | 10.6 63360 reel 9.01 | 2,340 6. 38 lays Kansan 2c. terosce a1 1908 16.0 4.80 6.7 4.02 5. 4 PSA 5, 160 4. 41 Garden City, Kans: -2..--2. | 1909 2.9 . 87 9 gy ES A ere Pec oleae 2, 440 70 Mathai. REx... ...b occ sat 11909 .0 . 00 .0 U0 eee ees HORS a 850 00 Amarillo, eX eemin Ben ae see 1908 22.8 6.84 | 13.2 1.92'| 17.6 | 6.86 || 3,280 7. 38 Re oa eniauine so etion _ 1909 0 . 00 .0 OO |e Seer eet 105) 00 EG 1a 2 | scot fae a Sor 4Gn ley 4cl a 18.440 lek Ts OGwle ae Seco wade = oleedee sce 11.30 52345°—Bul. 187—10——3 32 CULTIVATION METHODS AND ROTATIONS FOR GREAT PLAINS. TaBLE X.— Yields of wheat and oats in bushels per acre and farm value per acre in nine: teen tests, 1906-1909, inclusive. ROTATION No. 5. Plat A. Spring wheat on fallow land. Plat B. Oats on ground plowed early the preceding fall. Plat C. Summer tillage. Average value per Station. Year. Wheat. Oats. acre of wheat and oats. Bushels. Bushels. SUCH BB Asin ye MOGs se eae er 1909 38. 0 $22. 80 67.1 $20. 13 $21. 47 Dickinson: JN Walks es ee ees 1908 33.0 19. 80 * 39. 4 11. 82 15. 81 1D Yo yeaah er aii tarsomeres Ma MaMa i pean a oe 1909 37.7 22. 62 63. 8 19.14 20. 88 se decley, Sil Bye teesen yea MOE eee cat estee 2 1907 11.8 7.08 Qiao 8. 25 7. 66 SOR sip es peewee eae bee RT ce 0 en 1908 19.5 11. 70 33. 4 10. 02 10. 86 De a sein I oN ER EEE RR IO Peet oy 1909 29.8 17. 88 63. 7 19.11 18. 50 HMichmores Ss Dake coe: 5.2 eee ees eee 1906 Sil, 7 19. 02 46. 6 13.98 16. 50 DO esses eo Ge AEE Se Sane ae 1907 33.3 19. 98 55. 0 16. 50 18.24 DD Yc) Sema A epcae en SUE eae SA Roe RN ON Ne a 1908 29.0 17. 40 27.8 8. 34 LEST Bellefourche, S. Dak..._.....- REIL a eS ee 1909 31.4 18. 84 51.6 15. 48 17.16 North Platte Nebra 322 ewe ae eee 1907 26.0 15. 60 31.2 9. 36 12. 48 ID ORG eG ae oe Ser aie, ati ee enn 1908 42.2 25. 32 54.7 16. 41 20. 87 HDD Y.0 peeled ree at CP aes one a Si Se a i = 1909 Dil} 16. 32 19.1 5 778} 11. 02 AKTOMC OOM. hgaters odes en enema, teeter ae 1909 18.2 10. 92 16.7 5.01 7.96 ays vi Kiam) 22 5 228 fetes sta eae eens ie 1908 4.1 2. 46 22.8 6. 84 11. 65 Gardent@ity ay Kansee =e ete e eee 1909 6. 6 3. 96 3.3 S09 2. 48 Dalhart: “Rex c9 a ee eas iced eee ee Neco 1909 (lo 4. 62 -0 . 00 2.31 Amari Oy NG Xes ease ae ee eee 1908 16.5 9. 90 24.4 132 8. 61 1 BY 0 yeaa ye tins at Bie ep see Bee IS See 1909 9.5 5.70 15.3 4, 59 5.14 INV OTACE Se Sees me Se Se ee No Eee ee een a tees ieee 28. 35 14. 31 34. 92 10. 47 12. 39 TaBLE XI.— Yields of barley, oats, and corn in bushels per acre and farm value per acre in nineteen tests, 1906-1909, inclusive. ROTATION NO. 6. Plat A. Barley on corn ground, not plowed but disked. Plat B. Oats on ground plowed early the preceding fall. Plat C. Corn on ground plowed early the preceding fall. Average value per acre Station. Year. Barley. Oats. Corn. oe *| barley and oats Bushels Bushels. Bushels. Pounds. Judith Basin, Mont..........] 1909 ADL TE | cK 233 | Byes || anlesthle os ee ollnessecss 8,320 | $16.79 Dickinson, N. Dak.......... 1908 Ad. 6 | 172383! 44,7 WOE AL eases ae Se een ees 2,100 15.37 1 Doe arm Ahan th 2 Aye ne 1909 53.8 | 20.44] 61.9 18. 57 50.3 | $19.62 | 2,000 19.50 Edgeley, IN Dakss sae 1907 18.3 6.95 | 32.5 CEG sGeaeeee mec soars e 2, 650 8.35 Te eee ne os et oe 1908 S19) 2 elise 9) 2 fal eee eet fee ees 21,315. 0) 8. 45 De See oe ee ey er 1909 33.1 12.58 | 60.3 18. 09 29.8} 11.62); 2,400 15. 33 Highmore, Sia DEN aaa EES ater 1906 Bitte UF 14.33 | 53.8 16. 14 36.1 14'08.\S2-3see= 15. 24 DON Se eee 1907 25.0 9.50 | 49.4 14. 82 20.0 7:80) |S56ase= 12.16 Do. Re cays > eee eae 1908 30.0} 11.40] 36.3 10. 89 18.4 (Ese res SOR 11.14 Bellefourche, S. Dak.......- 1909 47.1 17.90 | 65.6 19. 68 19.2 7.49 | 3,460 18. 79 North Platte, INebrics. 25-c5 1907 30.6} 11.63] 23.1 6. 93 20.0 7.80 | 4,410 9. 28 gS i es = a os ee 1908 24.9 9.46 | 49.1 14. 73 23.2 9.05 | 2,870 12.09 Do By UreEe a(R etal te ee eS 1909 PA) 8.17 19.7 5. 91 31.7 | 12.36] 2,030 7.04 Akron NCOlOe. paeee eee ee 1909 24.9 9.46 | 20.8 6. 24 26.1 | 10.18] 2,720 7.85 Hays, Eri det tla a Sip 1908 1203 LAS (215) 65) 10. 65 5.5 | 21 45s OFS 7. 66 Garden City, Kans.......... 1909 5.1 1.94 OULe. all SQ BONes Sree oS ee 2, 500 1.44 Dalhart-Mexsee =e ee 1909 0) . 00 0 OOM 5. ences aoe 650 - 00 PATNATINO. MER eyasee em ace 1908 5 Qeeon oles 9.39 18.3 7.14 |. 3,200)| ~~ ‘6:12 DON oS eeee ts mercer 1909 .0 . 00 0 00! boa ns eae 1, 220 . 00 IAW OTAGO | Jbac hace sone Cee eee 25.9 9:84 |) 34.78") 10: 430) 2. sass8e le ceeeees | seer 10.14 187 CROP ROTATION COMPARED WITH CONTINUOUS CROPPING. 33 TasBLe XII.— Yields of oats, barley, and corn in bushels per acre and farm value per acre m nineteen tests, 1906-1909, inclusive. ROTATION NO. 7. Plat A. Oats on spring-plowed ground. Plat B. Barley on spring-plowed ground. Plat C. Corn on spring-plowed ground. Aver- age St Y Oat Barl C Com | 2 ve ation. ear. ats. arley. orn. er acre fodder. ve Gate and barley Bushels ’ |Bushels Bushels.| Pounds. Judith Basin, Mont.......... 1909 TES | 622,70 |) BQ iL) Sale GS eee ccc ssiassusacn 7,120 | $18. 53 oe N. DD Alkesiye rence. 1908 60. 9 18. 27 34.4 ADS ON ay ees ae RA xs ats 1, 480 15. 67 vl co PEE 1909 70.3 21.09 49.2 18. 70 46.7 $18. 21 2,000 19. 89 Bagels, INE aikee ee ei oo 1907 24.8 7.44 10. 6 AG) Beil erase; eae ile aye ae 1,950 5. 74 nine Se nee 1908 24.7 7.41 26.0 OES el eerie pepe ener eral ave Dre) 9), 8. 65 ae Beers sibnn ma Oh St De 1909 60. 9 18. 27 Bye 12. 43 29.8 11. 62 2, 800 15. 35 Highmore, So ID Ey gees eae eee 1906 57.5 17. 25 29.2 11.10 43.1 dG eet th Wea mes ae 14.17 BREW ieee wis er 1907 43.8 13.14 28.3 10.75 28.6 1 ays Nae ree 11.95 Do Breer 3). 7 UP RN Soy oe 1908 40.0 12. 00 29.9 11. 36 32.6 ASA ue aati ae 11. 68 Bellefourche, S. Dak.. .| 1909 58. 8 17. 64 28.1 10. 68 20.6 8. 03 2, 980 14.16 North Platte, IN@DReS ee ee 1907 S15) Of 10. 71 40. 2 15. 28 22.6 8. 81 4,690 12.99 IDX) ace ee 1908 60. 3 18. 09 PA, 3 8. 47 ST, 12. 36 3, 630 13. 28 ID YO) BAS se ee ee 1909 35.0 10. 50 18.5 7.03 22.1 8. 62 2,950 8.77 NTO COlO eo 62. 6222-6 2-22 1909 25. 6 7. 68 22n2, 8. 44 21.7 8. 46 2, 380 8. 06 Garden China Kansai. ees 1909 3.8 1.14 5.7 ZO, NTE Perse arte teeta 2 ae 2, 660 1. 65 Hla SemCANSe 28. hc inte e 1908 15. 2 4.56 9.2 3. 50 4.0 1.56 | 4,540 4.03 Anan G NOX 2 ose e 2 1909 .0 .00 a0) COC) eset ae ells 900 00 Amarillo, ANS SES see epee 1908 203 6. 39 8.1 3.08 | 17.0 6.63 | 2,950 4.73 TONG a A ae ee ee 1909 -0 . 00 .0 COOH | epee si | aR 1,380 00 BARVGTLO Cmemmeeie ra reels Sh Bazi clon cl 37.5 11.25 22.83 8. 67 16. 87 625874 eee 9.97 TaBLE XIII.— Yields of oats and wheat in bushels per acre and farm value per acre in nineteen tests, 1906-1909, inclusive. ROTATION NO. 8. Plat A. Oats on fallow land. Plat B. Spring wheat on ground plowed early the preceding fall. Plat C. Summer tillage. Average value per Station. Year. Oats. Wheat. acre of oats and wheat Bushels. Bushels. | Inidith Basing Montincc 2s.) sof cecssccscs eo. 1909 66. 2 $19. 96 40.3 $24. 18 $22. 02 Di ClaMSOM INT Dalkey we ee a oe 1908 60. 9 18. 27 20. 5 12. 30 15. 29 DO ei GSS er clte ches Sere crear ese es sey aan es 1909 74.7 22. 41 35.0 21.00 21.70 ey tecley TNT 1D Wane a ene ba a fe a ee 1907 30.9 9. 27 8.5 5. 10 7.19 = aca a ee es a ee a eh is 1908 20.9 6. 27 10.3 6.18 6. 22 wes Seapets er Seb ee Ss ae ee omnes ary 1909 56. 2 16. 86 26. 6 15. 96 16. 41 Highmore, fis: | DES ee oO CLs ae gay eee e 1906 83. 4 25. 02 25. 0 15. 00 20. 01 SSG GESTS aS ea peepee ri ia 1907 57.8 17. 34 32.7 19. 62 18. 48 Do Rae ayes TM en Ce ae ee ot 1908 46. 6 13. 98 27.5 16. 50 15. 24 mpelietourche pS: Dak. . .255.522-022-s..-2--5 1909 85. 2 25. 56 3302 19. 92 22.74 INorth Platte; Nebr: 250... 22.2. seec anes! 1907 40.9 12. 27 28.3 16. 98 14. 63 Be his RE RRS Se RES eS ee nena eran 1908 91.5 27. 45 Sl. & 18. 78 23:10 3 SSE, he STE eng Ee a ica pee 1909 .00 00 16.8 10. 08 5. 04 nod COO eee an Cera inc Ne eh ee sane 1909 28.3 8. 49 10.9 6. 54 7. 52 BESTA YS Pap E TNS cree eset es are TUN ty BSD Liner eS 1908 28.8 8. 64 4,2 2. 52 5. 58 CrancermuGitiys wha ms yi sae ee 1909 5.8 1.74 3.8 2. 28 2. 01 HD DAL NO Kes seed oh eee ae A UN 1909 10.0 3.00 .0 . 00 1. 50 ANTONE VNU USS: len ease a Ne a 1908 33. 4 10. 00 1133, 7 8. 22 9.12 Oy oc eer Ree SOO RUO UE ae SOL Cee Sean eae 1909 25. 6 7. 68 .0 00 3. 84 DNS CSREES Os are Sesh eye or ee | |e a 44, 56 13. 37 19.4 11. 64 12. 51 187 84 CULTIVATION METHODS AND ROTATIONS FOR GREAT PLAINS. TaBLE XIV.— Yields of oats, wheat, and corn in bushels per acre and farm value per acre in nineteen tests, 1906-1909, inclusive. ROTATION No. 9. Plat A. Oats on spring-plowed ground. Plat B. Spring wheat on spring-plowed ground. Plat C. Corn on spring-plowed ground. Aver- ; age F : Corn | Value Station. Year. Oats. Wheat. Corn. fodder. |Per acre ; *| of oats ‘ and ' wheat Bushels. * | Bushels. Bushels Pounds. . Judith Basin, Mont.....--.... 1909 1007 2) $20. 214531562 | SSIS be ee ae eee 7,280 | $20.08 Dickansons INE Dake se esse= 1908 50. 6 15 MS AS ak itn Lav eee Ay (ees. 13. 20 1B YO ete tia Se ee crt oo ae 1909 fil 21.39 | 30.7 18. 42 43.5 | $16.97 | 1,680 19. 90 Edgeley, N. Dak.........-.- 1907 5. 6 1. 68 4.2 Pa YAO Nie ao ES , 300 2.10 DOS ee re oe Sea 1908 16.9 5sOV i alsa 8:10) 2.6. ) 10502 4.77 7.41 TD) Os Sere eee 1909 19.20 | 19.11 19.95 | 19.11 19.11 | 18.09 18. 27 Ee Sahel DF ic eh seers: ease Gia te 1906 13.59 | 11.64} 14.16] 18.48) 13.98) 16.14 ree Bi ete ert ene SS eas RR ote 1907 14.07 | 12.48) 13.59; 14.52] 16.50] 14.82 13.14 Do Be Ti fe ON en ee ee 1908 8.64 | 11.07 8. 91 10. 68 8.34 | 10.89 12.00 iBellefourche ys ae) ake eee | 1909 16.68 | 12.75 | 16.08 | 22.50] 15.48 | 19.68 17. 64 North Platte, INGDE 2-2 eee eo ore meee 1907 8.07 9. 69 9.18 | 12.18 9. 36 6. 93 10.71 DOs 2 Shes Sone ee een ee 1908 18.09 | 11.07) 18.09 | 16.29) 16.41] 14.738 18. 09 BD Lo ysea eee gye (aoe yates Ge ees wert 1909 6. 93 8. 43 5. 49 6.75 5.13 5. 91 10. 50 AkromaColost 56022) ere ae ie nae 1909 7.68 5. 49 5. 64 6.39 5. 01 6. 24 7.68 Ia yS amnsyaseascet ce cee se eee 1908 8. 55 7. 80 6. 03 4. 80 6.84 | 10.65 4. 56 Gardeni@ityskanss se ee eeee 1909 . 90 . 39 - 00 - 87 . 99 - 93 1.14 Dalhart, "Vex. S. oes 1909 - 00 . 00 .00 . 00 00 . 00 . 00 IAT AT ATO; MING Kose eae Sete een oe Gece 1908 8. 43 7.02 8. 25 6. 84 1.382 9.39 6. 39 Os dc8 sid Se Sae eee eee ee 1909 3.60 . 00 5. 34 . 00 4. 59 . 00 . 00 AVEOTARC ee sc itis Ajo oe ee | ee ee 10. 52 9.73 10.20 | 11.54] 10.47 | 10.438 be 25 No. 9. Average of all Oats rotations com- No. 8. | spring pared with Oats on Eee 5 : Yield pore ne : fallow, wheat verage | from con- : Station. Year. | heat fall) spring | yield. | tinuous plowed, | plowed. cropping. fallow. corn spring Gain. | Loss plowed. judith) Basins Mont eas ee eee 1909 $19°86 |: $21.21 | $20.09 | 922 5a; esas $2. 50 pe rag ING Dake aa s-sys nee ne 1908 18. 27 15.18 15.01 14.52 | $0:49 |....-22- Be SERS SNe bee aes EL Oo 1909 22. 41 21.39 20.07 | 16.77 3:30" eases Hassler: IN aD alk) sie — ieee dee eee 1907 9. 27 1. 68 | 7. 87 6. 39 1.48 eee dO 0 fas Siero SO rr BE AB WE aS 1908 6. 27 5. 07 6.63 | 5. 07 1563) ese dD YOR oO Sense See ney aay 020 Rea eR 1909 16. 86 17.61 ! 18. 59 | W725 84") eee Bie Seu Aika ok tee eyepiece eae 1906 25. 02 17.07 16.37 |... .248 2 eee ee oS Sah een So a al Rn 1907 17. 34 14.25 14. 52 13. 59 93), ees Do or atalS Sere Be eS ee ee eee 1908 13.98 12. 48 10. 78 10. 32 546 2k ee BellefourcheS= Dake =) sees eee 1909 25. 56 18. 66 18. 34 14. 64 3.104 eee North Platte, ING bi tet eaess Aas eae 1907 WE / 10. 02 9. 82 9. 00 02): a2 ae DOS eee ase area Be a nee 1908 27. 45 14. 46 17.19 10. 32 6: 87.4) eae DOS eis eee ees oe a gee 1909 - 00 8. 25 6. 44 9. 39°7\-- 2 eee 2.95 Akron; COlok sc 52 enon ea ee eee 1909 8. 49 5, ae 6. 43 6. 33 410 eee Tay sas onan as tees oe een ee 1908 8. 64 R78} 7.07 . 39 6.68 || s522582 Garden Citys TRANS oe eee eee eee 1909 | 1.74 . 69 85 30 Bn ee = he LD Pet aH et ete Dye >. Ge Pry SHR ines a ae = See 1909 | 3.00 00 33 . 00 Be DMs aie ee Amarillos exe =) '-5- ane Seape ereee 1908 10. 02 6.75 7.82 6. 00 1 B2i Gases DOs Sta See oe ee ee 1909 7. 68 00 2.29 - 00 2529). Soe AVCTASCR =e sees Ae ae eee oe LOE ee 13. 37 10. 30 a 10. 87 69.05) C1552 a Average of 19 crops. 187 b Average of 18 crops. CROP ROTATION COMPARED WITH CONTINUOUS CROPPING. 39 TABLE XIX .— Yield of barley, in bushels per acre, in two 3-year rotations compared with continuous cropping. No. 6. Barley disked, ~ Station. Year. | oats fall plowed, corn fall plowed. Bushels Juarih Basin, Mont.........5.-:-- 1909 42.7 Dickinson, IN. Dak. .2.-.=-=--+--- 1908 45. 6 OMe es Se 1909 53.8 Bae acy, IN|S DAS eae eee 1907 18.3 a2 Shee ee 1908 31.9 a0 SSe 4a GSE ee 1909 33. 1 EM SHINIO‘S, SRD) ct emer ste ois Pe 1906 Sila IDO ce Ge a eee 1907 25.0 IDO cok Sd a en 1908 30. 0 Betlefourche;, S. Dak..=....----.- 1909 47.1 Norio Platte, Nebr-..2...--.---% 1907 30.6 | a 2 (8 po a a er 5 1908 24.9 | 25) 5 Seen aes eg ene ee eee 1909 Pal. G5) ss CONG EY SESS ts eee eee 1909 24.9 Hays, Henissheee foe 1908 12.3 Garden @ity, Kans. :...=-:2-..5.<- 1909 5, NAR neko se oe ee SS. 1909 -0 Amarillo, TGS, ae Rate Pie ee 1908 io & DO. ot ct eocete ee eee 1909 .0 PNR OTA NC memiaecie yt oi giana epsy ios a avers a SS 25.9 No. 7. Corn spring plowed, barley spring plowed, corn spring plowed. Bushels. 1) Nw . . . . . © | CHONNNAUWNHEOWNINOD i) No w Average of all rotations com- pared with Yield continuous Average | from con- cropping, yield. tinuous cropping. Gain. Loss. Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. 40.9 (AN OR eee Sha ERR 4.3 40.0 SF Giior | Reeeee fil, & 39.8 dU Ses |e eae eens 14.5 10.2 AS Smee se 28.9 25.0 Se Oise eee 32.9 27.0 HOM eae ete SOE | eras Nest hs [Ea ee hee tac | eee ane 26.6 SON Opals ee are em tee 3.6 29.9 29.8 Sly | epee ae 37.6 23.8 dls Paroyll| tes Aeon eae 35. 4 3 ORO eee paar 3.6 23.6 19.6 A Ou eet DADE Dig et a ie atee aN JC OE a eh RRP RIL RE 23.6 | OT SNOT ee ere iia 10.8 | 5.8 Of Oileeee ss eee 5.4 2.4 BON vere ait eas .0 -0 On| Rae a 7.8 Me Qhalae acess sa -0 -0 BLO) cere eee 24. 4 Mile Ih SH Ou Sta ee TaBLE XX.—Farm value of barley, in dollars and cents per acre, in two 8-year rotations compared with continuous cropping. No. 7. | Average of all es. Oats | rotations com- Net 6: spring pared with Aken plowed, : Value cous - , arle Average | of con- &- Station. Year. oatedal Sprite yield. tinuous a fall plowed, cropping. plowed. re ae spring Gain. Loss. plowed Fudiihbasia Mont... .2. 2... eee) L909 $16. 23 $14. 86 $15. 54 SSL UP feet eel | See ee neni $1. 63 Duckinson, N. Dak =. 2... -:-.:22-- 1908 17). BS: 13.07 15. 20 12573 PA CTE le be os IDO s SS Bee eae 1909 20. 44 18.70 19. 57 15. 12 AP AGHE eee aes Pidecleys Ne Dak... 02k 1907 6.95 4.03 5. 49 | 3.88 ies |e Sep res DOSS See eee 1908 22 9. 88 11.00 9. 50 15 Oe eee Sete es 1D pe ae ea a eee a 1909 12. 58 12. 43 1; Sil | 10. 26 TS OAS Rane ae crms Eehmore, S; Dak: . 5.22.2 ..-.-..- 1906 14. 33 11.10 PS iN = ts Re ND eae eel aes rere IDO seas See Soe eee eee ae arr 1907 9. 50 10.75 10. 13 LG (etl era eee ae 1.34 IDO S3 Soe Ce eee tere 1908 11. 40 SG I Gls) 11532 0] Gal eee ses Bellefourche, S. Dak...........- 1909 17. 90 16. 68 14. 29 9.04 OADM ee Sane ee North Platte, ‘Nebr Eee Leen res 1907 11. 63 15. 28 13. 45 MARS Zits ee Gres 1.37 1D05 GoSee Ss eee ee eee 1908 9. 46 8. 47 8.97 7.44 IPOS bil teeee = ae hr DO so i.5 8 ee ee 1909 8.17 7.03 Cs) Metso Geral eee bictes aiid Meets oa aca APART A COT Ses eae ee 1999 9. 46 8. 44 8.95 7.48 D7 fe estes een 2 ayGy, TGS ee 1908 4.67 3. 50 4.08 2.20 UctteN eae ao SeseS Garden City ROS ee ess 1909 1.94 Delia 2. 06 91 itl Due eevee cee 1D ELIE 7 ae Hl SS