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| Washington, D. C. vy March 30, 1925

REPORT OF THE NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS FIELD STATION FOR THE
10-YEAR PERIOD, 1913-1922, INCLUSIVE

By J. M. SrepuHens, Agriculiurist and Superintendent, RoBerRtT WI.Lson, W. P.
Barrp, and J. T. Sarvis, Associate Agronomists, J. C. THYSELL, Assistant
Agronomist, and T. K. K1Luanp, Scientific Aid, Office of Dry-Land Agricul-
ture Investigations, and J. C. BRINSMADE, JR., Assistant Agronomist, Office
of Cereal Investigations, Bureau of Plant Industry }

CONTENTS
Page | Page
MemroduciiOMmeeoote. 9 suse 2 2 See 1) Agronomilcumvestigations 2-2. east ee 47
7D UAPTDIND 5 ~ SS SaaS SE Be See 2 Rotation and tillage experiments_-_-______ 47
SO eee ne ee ee ee 5 Experiments with forage crops__________- 7
Arboricultural investigations _______________- 7 Varietal tests with corn ____-_____._____- 63
Experimental test plantings____-_______- 7 Soil-moisture investigations______________ 65
Cooperative shelter-belt demonstrations _ 11 Investigations with flax and cereals______ 65
Summary and conclusions__-___________- 14 Cooperative grazing experiment-_____________ 70
Horticultural investigations _________________ 15 Plan of the experiment__________________ 70
PEO TINO LO Oyj ne ee ee ee a 16- Canings Onin ne, GA RN Oss 5 = een 7
Ornamentals and landscape gardening___ 34 | Study of the native vegetation___________ 75
PONE GINO UT Ces 2 ere een le ee 2 eo) 41 | Conclusions from the grazing experiment_ 7

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this report is to discuss briefly the experiments
conducted at the Northern Great Plains Field Station, located in
Morton County, N. Dak., 2 miles south of Mandan. No attempt
is made to describe the experiments in detail, but rather to present
the lines and scope of the work at the station and give a summary of
results obtained from the various experiments. The projects are
grouped and divided into three departments: Arboriculture, horti-
culture, and agronomy. The cooperative grazing experiment is a
coordinate part of the agronomic work. The work and the results
are reported separately by the men in charge of the respective
departments.

The territory adjacent to the station, which is typical of a large
area of western North Dakota, was primarily a livestock country.

1W. A. Peterson was superintendent of the station from the time it was organized until March, 1918.
Max Pfaender was horticulturist from the time of the organization until September, 1919. F.E. Cobb
assisted in the arboricultural investigations from June, 1915, to September, 1922, and from April, 1917,
to October, 1919, inclusive, he was in charge of the work during the absence of Robert Wilson, who was on
furlough in military service. Norman O. Henchel was assistant in arboriculture from June, 1917, to June,
1920. Arthur W. Schultz assisted in the agronomic work from May, 1915, until his death in 1917, and R. S.
Towle assisted in the agronomic work from August, 1917, to March, 1920.

5381—25¢——1

2 BULLETIN 1301, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Grain farming was practiced to a limited extent in the early eighties,
but not until recent years has it been developed as the principal type
of agriculture. Livestock farming is still an important factor in the
agricultural development of western North Dakota. This is espe-
cially true in sections having large areas of untillable land. Dairy
farming is carried on in a limited way in several localities. Dairy
farming is becoming an important factor in working out a permanent
system of agriculture for the region.

The project creating the Northern Great Plains Field Station was
started in the summer of 1912. During that year the site for the
station was selected and plans for the construction of buildings and
the organization of work were formulated and approved. In working
out the plans, consideration was given the results obtained by
similar stations operated by the Canadian Government and by the
State agricultural experiment stations.

The station farm consists of 1,280 acres, 250 of which are under
cultivation and devoted mainly to experimental work, while 640
acres of native sod are used for the cooperative grazing experiment.

The station buildings consist of an office, seed house, mess house,
bunk house, two combined horse barns and implement sheds, and
four residences. The residences are occupied by the station superin-
tendent and the three men in charge of the departments. No
provision is made for furnishing nouses for men detailed at the station
by cooperative offices or assistants or laborers. Severalsmall buildings
on the farm are used for various purposes, such as fumigating trees,
soil work, and storage of special equipment and supplies.

CLIMATE

Climatic data covering a period of 48 years are available for this
immediate region. The United States Weather Bureau has published
the climatological data recorded at Bismarck, N. Dak., for the years
from 1875 to 1920, inclusive.? Bismarck is located on the east side
of the Missouri River, only about 5 miles distant from the Northern
Great Plains Field Station at Mandan. Meteorological observa-
tions were begun at the field station during the summer of 1913, but
the records for that year were incomplete and have not been used.

The temperature in this section reaches extremes in both winter
andsummer. The lowest temperature recorded in the nine years from
1914 to 1922, inclusive, was —45° F. in January, 1916, at Bismarck,
and the highest was 110° F. in July 1921, at the field station. The
average yearly maximum temperature at the field station for the
9-year period from 1914 to 1922, inclusive, was 52.6° F., and the
average yearly minimum for the same period was 29.7°. The
average Maximum and minimum temperatures for the six months
from April to September, inclusive, for the 9-year period were 74.7°
and 47° F., respectively. The coldest months are January and
February and the warmest July and August.

Table 1 presents data showing the frost-free period. The average
number of frost-free days during the 10-year period from 1913 to
1922, inclusive, the period the field station has been in operation, was
134. The range was from 104 to 165 days. The average date of the

2 United States Department of Agriculture. Weather Bureau. Summary of the climatological data
for the United States, by sections. Reprint of Section 31, Western North Dakota. 14 p., map. [1922]

Maran ayes

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<

NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS FIELD STATION, 1913-1922 3

last frost in the spring was May 13 and of the first in the fall Sep-
tember 24. The average number of frost-free days for the 48-year
period from 1875 to 1922, inclusive, was 130. The average date of
the last frost in the spring for this period was May 12 and of the
first in the fall September 19. |

TABLE 1.—Frost-free period at the Northern Great Plains Field Station for the 10-year
period, 1913-1922, inclusive

Killing frosts
Last inspring | First in fall Frost-
free

pera- pera- |

Date care | Date care

CF) | (CF)

The wind movement at the station is measured by an anemometer
placed 2 feet above the surface of the ground. The average wind
velocity for the 9-year period from 1914 to 1922, was 6 miles an hour.
The average for the months from April to September was the same.
April and May are the months of highest wind velocity and July and
August of lowest wind velocity. The highest velocity for any 24-hour
period in the nine years was 24.2 miles an hour.

The evaporation from a free water surface during the warm season
is shown in Table 2. Evaporation is highest in July and August and
lowest in April and September.

TaBLE 2.—EHvaporation from a free water surface at the Northern Great Plains
Field Station for the 9-year period, 1914-1922, inclusive

{
|

Evaporation (inches)

| l |

Year | 5 | Sea :
April | May June | July | August | ,°°P | to Sep-
tember | tember,
| inclusive)
(awe ig ae ee ee 2 eed a |
| |
SUE be Spe ese Sle SG OS Eee 4. 030 | 5. 680 | 5. 998 | 7. 550 5. 636 | 5. 055 | 33. 949

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3. 647 | 28. 616

LNs a Sa ie tee alte eee | 3. 489 | 5. 505 | 4.745 | 7. 411 5. 727 4. 400 | 31. 277
GS ee a eee 2. 183 | 6. 437 | 7.175 8. 695 7. 021 4.171 | 35. 682
LTR Booed 2 ees eee ee ee 3. 793 | 5. 510 7. 264 | 7. 226 7. 272 4. 434 | 305. 499
it! 32 et Se ee 3. 739 | 6. 022 | 7. 258 | 9. 168 8. 057 5. 347 | 39. 591
a LER SS 2a ee 3. 155 | 5. 543 6. 297 7. 157 8. 452 | 4. 647 | 30. 251
Le 3. 638 | 5. 147 7. 324 | 8. 899 8. 524 | 5. 730 39. 262
3 YE Si ee ee ee 3. 379 | 5. 337 5. 638 | 6. 740 7. 935 4. 826 33. 855

iverapes test) ffir 3.584 5,448 6.342 | 7.585 7.121} 4.695| 34.775
|

4 BULLETIN 1301, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

TaBLE 3.—Monthly, seasonal, and annual precipitation at or in the vicinity of the
Northern Great Plains Field Station for the 48-year period, 1875-1922, inclusive

[Data in inches; T=trace. The records from 1875 to 1913, inclusive, were obtained by the United States
von Bureau at Bismarck, N. Dak. Those from 1914 to 1922, inclusive, were obtained at the field
station 5

| | | | | Sea-
| | | | | | sonal,| 4 1.
Year Jan. | Feb. | Mar.| Apr. | May | June | July | Aug. | Sept.| Oct. | Nov.| Dec. | Apr. anal
| | | to
| | | | | Aug.
LS Da see 1.13 | 1.32 | 2.06 | 4.22 | 3.40 | 5:02) 12554 |) 2°89) | 1085 | 237 | 1.33 10239) 7 Orme heme
TSAO ee es 78 | 1.45 | 3.27 | 2.77 | 5.74 | 1.24 | 1.48 | 6.55 | 5.61 30 .86 | .87 |17. 78 | 30.92
Res ees ey shea eee 1. 64 .19 77 | 1. 32 | 4.15 | 4.60) 2.52 ni) 11 94 -40 | .69 |12.94 | 17.68
SiS ees ae ee AP 267 1S46Ri eds dl | 3.15 | 2avSmiad ea 22009 67 | 1.45 SCAT ys Sh USS (XO) | 240), 2B
NST Owe ess m5 82 58 | 2.60 | 3.67 | 4.97 | 4.27 | 2.69 07 | 1.35))-2216) || 1285 188200 e22Nen
USS Osees Ss ae . 30 16 69 | 3.65 | 2.76 | 2.32 | 2.02 | 4.82 72 27 .87 | 1.17 115.57 | 19.75
ISS Temas Se . 69 78 45) 1202 192027 || Ase 28) 2298 3) 266 er ole| eon menOGr oll OGu tll oseio
1882 See OB 30)| 1.22) | 3.5613. 46 | 35887) 4531 30) | 1.74 | 1.44 | 246). 43) 115) 51) |) 212 38
SS Bem es Secoetales 1 OS 66 38.) 1.57 | 1.15 | 3.84 } 1.32 98 04 | 3.88 26 | 1.33 | 8.86 | 15. 66
1M Ste bosons pee sae .38 87 GON25 20 2856: IP SkGSRRSNG2NSasO Mi 2yo4s eee Oz 5 Cex) 1 at eek | OB} 8X5
SS teks es moll 36 18 | 3.21 | .92 |) 2.389 | 2:41) 1.62) 14) - 54 66 | .34 |10.55 | 13.08
SSG meets se NGZh erro: 94°) 1549.) 1.73 | 28037) 1343" 145) 288 - S65n e245) aGelnseon eloe2e
TUS NSHY (a i an ae .95 OZ (3) \ Vo2 2: 19 G00) 42 495162) | siode lle elp sl) SOONG 7a IeGiss
1SSSmeeeee ee .96 | .44 CHE le sabh eer MaeGs 0 || ee OE ik 783 33), 102)|" 338) 2.240227 6san
SSOP =e ee 2 50 | 1.48 55 26003535) | ROsa|s200Le eos . 48 Aly 6 Aes) .69 | 7.18 | 11.03
SORA Ses 80 | .27]| .49 68. |) 2.57) || 85400 W145 | 169s Sn RS ere 14s eo 2 Mee Sin ts eee
TSO Deke Le .05 | .57 | 1.24 | 2.40 | 2.92 | 4.19 | 4.20 | 1.43 87 |} .99 | 1.20] .44 |15.14 | 20.50
1802 ie Pao ai . 29 55 95 | 3.23 | 1.79 | 3.49 | 3.18 | 2.40 66 86) > =66) |) 216 aN sa eisai
TQOSS ae eee .73 203| sls 52 69 | 1.26 | 4.33 | 1.48 G7AlPes 95 24 | 1.49 | 8.48 | 13.74
894 seeee eee . 20 04 | 2.27 | 3.40 UMN 28) . 30 42 | 3.83 .87 | .40 .06 | 6.65 | 14. 32
IG see ee . 89 35 24 | 2.53 | 3.80 | 401 | 2.08 | .40)| .67 .08 | 1.60 .27 |12. 82 | 16.92
1SOGH= Sea Fee oa . 81 31 . 84 | 2.23 | 1.98 | 2.64 | 1.03 | 1.77 | 1.42 . 48 | 3.10 ..03 | 9.65 | 16. 64
118 Oss ee MoU: || hey .91 | 1.40 | 1.10 | 3.44 | 1.53 | 2.25 . 30 . 42 25) 230h | Oui2aiel4533
ISOS eee tee | . 20 485) 1 OOs e229 2565) | S21 e648 loos meecOn ie 2aG0 a6 .44 | 7.97 | 13. 67
eS ee | 09 |. 18 | 9.88] 1.31 | 4.30 | 58575) 9.451) 297) 206) | e550 3847s | = Gs NG On tone
190028 as_ Ls | .28 .30 | 2.24 58 | 1.26 | 2.32 | 1.14 | 2.92 | 4.27 | 1.43 | 1.03 SIS Sa 225 elvacs
1O0l2= sees = O03: .16 . 96 . 36 tale? SE OZE Wh ae Onl |i 27 a ®) . 30 96 | 9.82 | 15. 59
LOO2E 2 at seers . 05 PALA 24 140) £26: 1538)-20))|) SNGSe|e27 04, | IN C4 se Ae Ee St LOM 27S SS9 5)
1903355 eeeee= . 82 . 09 ~12 .61 | 3.30 | 1.44 | 2.18 | 5.59 | 2.36 iG .28 | 1.05) 113.02) |) 17296
10042222 . 58 541) W6OP aa Gk yl ns Ue eb eto 90 | .68 | 1.03 | 1.24 .03 | 1.39 | 8.09 | 14.17
1905 ee ole) - 504 116 072) 1287| Sela e8e244 | Me | 4s ees SOR ela oO) |e OSe lab Om ene
1906255222 see 7 . 06 32 -85 | 5.37 | 4.78 ! 1.15 | 2.04 . 60 5 Oe) It de Sts) . 64 114.19 | 18. 22
190 (Zen Ree 1.01 | .57 | 1.09] .67 | 1.98 | 3.63 | 4.32] .61 | 1.19 80 | .36 32) |i Die Ges 5
1ODSNas. eee SOE UAE Meaty. |p aloe} | 2.89 | 2.29 82 | 2.44 59 | 1.81 | 1.60 08 {10.17 | 16.91
O09 Fone 5A . 36 27 .84 | 4.43 | 2.19 | 2.41 | 4.77 83 78 .41 | 1.05 |14. 64 | 18.55
HONOR a See 5 OY - OF 54 SON ne 2895 93 | 1.26 | 2.66 75 .14 31 | 6.44 | 11.98
Chie 1. 50 . 42 1G 8), 118) | 2eSsel lls onion 226 TAY | of} 30 | 8.94 | 15.22
ONZE 2 Sane . 18 . 08 LOM 2530F 3h03. | tsa ode Noel Suleeyoonln 242 94 Ah 40 |14.39 | 19.11
1Olgeee. ae eee SYe | oOR3 49 55:15:99) | QlOG Ra 72 alowed elas 20 nel Sule 6 28 | 8.09 | 12. 84
TNC bs Se ae ye . 07 .05 | 1.89 | 1.55 | 3.57 |10.68 | 1.35 | 1.89 ! 1. 24 90 Saul 37 |19.94 | 23.87
LO ue= see ees . 07 4 30 | 1.11 | 4.98 | 6.32 | 6.48 . 63.| 1.84 | 1.85 . 34 14 19. 52 | 24.06
1OUGE Stee te . 28 .09 | 1.88 193° 2 12169) |: 22 25m|nssone 2504 92 27 | .07 | 1.10 {10.46 | 15. 07
OLE ss = . 28 .19 SON ISSA aod. | ee DOMleroS . 89 | 1.97 Oda 203 19 | 7.25 | 10.31
TRC ares ae ne oer . 20 11 45.| 2.61 | 2.45 . 68 |-2. 47 | 2.03 63 27 .45 | 1.02 |10. 24 | 13.37
OUO eee oe . 08 SOR MeaSon lenia sigon05- | eles, 85 | 1.22 49 98 | 1.19 | .25 | 8.86 | 13.48
19208o ee N52 ~20:| 1.21 208) | 12 72) | W850 2868) | O1S S1e a9 25 37 .21 | 8.64 | 12.69
UC 7 ees .18 OOS) S279 2559 3. 05 12st aroOag 620) | 158: |) 139) 18% 24 |10.09 | 15, 23
NOD 2a eo een WSs |i Abs YS) 5 GY . 66 | 2.05 | 3.43 | 3.17] .32 | 2.31 . 64 | 1.60 82) | 9563) al 7o35
| | |
Average: | | |

48 years___| .48 47 .97 | 1.66 | 2,46: | 354252530) | 186" |1..30 . 96 61 56 |11 69 | 17.04

Se yeanseaal 5 22, Saye Oe | ole owl | PAY |e Gil) || 25 too |) LPB} | 1, 36 | 5 Ue 58 48 \11. 53 | 16.16

Table 3 shows the precipitation for the 48 years from 1875 to 1922,
inclusive. The records from 1875 to 1913, inclusive, are from Bis-
marck; from 1914 to 1922, inclusive, from the field station at Mandan.
The winter precipitation at the station is measured by the rain gauge,
which often fails to measure snow accurately. When there is reason
to believe a measurement is inaccurate, the record of the United
States Weather Bureau at Bismarck is substituted for the Mandan
record.

Approximately 70 per cent of the total annual precipitation occurs
during the growing season, from April to August, inclusive. Table
3 and Figure 1 show that the years 1916 to 1921, inclusive, were excep-

NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS FIELD STATION, 1913-1922 5

tionallydry. These were the driest consecutive six years during the 48-
year period.

The 48-year average annual precipitation was 17.04 inches. The
average annual precipitation for the 10-year period 1913-1922 was
15.83 inches. This is the period during which the field station has
been in operation. For the 8-year period 1915-1922, for which
crop yields are presented, the average annual precipitation was 15.20
inches. The quantity of precipitation during September, October,
and November very often determines crop production in the following
year. A very dry fall is usually followed by a season of low crop pro-
duction; that is, if the soil goes into the winter dry the chances for
good crops the following season are greatly reduced.

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S'4 Ge Oe PGR eRe Cee Gene oe ee

Co POUURRROOREDEE BOCRROUUUGRORGGGGGGT Chott ae

Bete Cee e reac UU Gee eee e ten ohe Gee

< MRRP RRUREOUURCUUOROUDGGGCR GB ORCHGC RRR oo

0 POU AGU P RUC UU RU RU UCR GCOUU OOOO COUR Cue Geegeee

oO PEGG RRORECUUCCRCURPOUGCGCORUURRGGC ERR RG GtigeE

DO OT CU A AHA GEER

eT UAL CEEC EEOC CHCHEEEEEECUE CET

AEE EEE EEE EE
2 TET ETE EEE EEE EEE EEE EG

wo OGURA ppp aaah

——|—-=—-—- — Se ee ee eee ee es we ee ee

Fic. 1—Diagram showing the annual precipitation at Bismarck and Mandan, N. Dak., for the 48-year
period from 1875 to 1922, inclusive. The solid line indicates the average for the whole period. The broken
line indicates the average for nine years at Mandan

SOIL °

~The soil on the Mandan tract varies considerably, especially in
texture. That on the plateau above the terrace on which the field-
station buildings stand is a loam, the sand constituent being fine to
very fine. On the experimental plats the soil is sandy loam. The
experimental plats around the station buildings are located on a
bench, consisting of a terrace, but the texture of the substratum is
not light enough to affect the moisture relations in the soil horizons.

The normal mature soil of the region has a profile in which the
illuvial horizon universally characteristic of the subsoil in humid
regions is absent. The subsoil has about the same texture as the
soil except in those spots where the texture of the former horizon is
determined by geological factors rather than the processes of soil
development. This latter condition would apply only to the soils
on the terraces and not those on the uplands.

3 This brief description and analysis of the soil was furnished by C. F. Marbut, in charge of Soil-Survey
Investigations, Bureau of Soils

6 BULLETIN 1301, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

The color of the soils on the uplands, as well as that of the medium
and heavier soils of the experiment plats, is best described as a strong
dark brown, almost black. The dark-colored horizon in the. virgin
soil is about 8 inches thick, underlain by a brown horizon extending
to a depth of about 2 feet. Below this hes the usual zone of accumu-
lated carbonate of lime.

This soil lies on or near the western border of the true black
earth of the United States. The color of the surface soil is dark
enough to be placed in that group, but the 16-inch to 18-inch horizon
of brown loam between the dark-colored surface horizon and the
carbonate zone does not permit its correlation as a typical member
of that group. It is also somewhat too dark to be placed in the
zone of chestnut-colored soils. So far as existing knowledge of its
characteristics will permit any decision as to its place in the general
scheme of dry-land soils, it must be considered as a nontypical
chernozem. In the scheme of classification used by the Bureau of
Soils it is a member of the Williams series.

The composition of a sample taken from the plateau, locally
known as the Custer Flats, 2 miles south of the station buildings, is
shown in Table 4. The figures in this table show the total quantities
of the constituents present.

The chemical analysis confirms the statement made above that
the ‘‘good clay subsoil,’ universally present in the mature soils of
the humid part of the United States and recognized by the farmers,
is absent here. The analysis shows no concentration of either iron
oxide or alumina in the subsurface, whereas the composition of the
mature soils in the humid region invariably shows more or less con-
centration of this kind.

The content of lime, potash, and nitrogen is all good to high, and
that of phosphoric acid is high.

TaBLE 4.—Chemical analysis of soil collected at the Northern Great Plains Field

Station .
Depth
Analysis for—

0 to7 7 to 24 | 24 to 36

inches | inches inches
Silieare SO seks terse CORN soe) ats Sees tc 2) ee ee ee per cent__} 70.31 70. 74 60. 71
ibaMiiTMECdOXdG CSO pee otek eee ae ee doz c= BO . 66 . 55
HCLEICOMGGwie3 Og eee eae Oe RES. ok. SSR ees Be doz 3.47 4.03 3.91
PAC TITAN BAU TO 3a ee ea oe ee Ss Se do 12. 47 13.18 12. 97
INTE SANESeOxIG ean @ Se eee ee a ee ee ee 6 aa . 087 | . 079 . 055
IFN CAO Ree eee een HELE S Fa ee Rae re douzs 12 1. 08 6. 69
Miaeiresia Vig © Brera ao eae ae tres ee ee Cosas .76 1. 53 2. 69
IB OLAS MK) © erat abe cnr saad REN ab oe ae el ee ee ee ee doe== 2. 52 2. 34 2. 28
SOd areas Oe Sana ecw ME ek 2 2 ae ee dos=as 1. 05 1.10 -91
IPHOSDHORUS pentoxMd ew basse eee as Ce a eee eee doe== sah elle alr
SulphurttrioxidesS Oss et oie 2 eas 2 ee eee ee do k= sail! . 09 . 09
SIG ON OSS Wee ee ap ee ee ee RT ns 2 Ne eer ea ee dome: 7. 64 4,89 9.16
INGIGNOS CTS NGS eee ern Sete VR et ee ee dou . 244 SPEs-| . 065
Carbonidioxide; ©O2 Grom: carbonates) 225-2 2 6 ee ee ee dos 0 0 5. 65
Vater amelie Oat rll ce Hye Roles sn kee eases nt ee oe OE, do2= 2. 33 2. 30 2. 50

1 Nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and water are included in ignition loss and should not beadded again in com-
puting the totals, which approximate 100 per cent and are within the limits of error of the analyses.

POE “

tl
y 7 2 OP SEE ge Wheat oe

Vee EL: 4

weit aay ‘ ; ee Sed

NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS FIELD STATION, 1913-1922 Z

ARBORICULTURAL INVESTIGATIONS

The absence of trees on the farm lands of the Great Plains region is
a factor of importance to the farmer in his effort to establish a com-
fortable and attractive home. Belts of trees not only improve the
living conditions for the farmer and his family, but afford valuable
protection to barns, yards, orchards, and gardens.

The severe climatic conditions, especially the limited rainfall and

periods of drought, present difficulties to the tree planter that are

unknown in the more favorable farming sections of the United States.
A large number of the attempts to grow trees have been unsuccessful,
and this fact has given rise to a widespread impression that tree
planting in this region is not practicable. Investigation has shown
that most of the failures were probably due to the use of species not
adapted to the climatic conditions, to the lack of careful preparation
of the soil before planting, and to neglect of cultivation after planting.

Experimental work in testing tree species at the station was started
in 1914, and cooperative demonstrations with farmers at different
points in the plains region in 1916. Both of these lmes of work are
still being carried on.

The following is an outline of the work now being conducted:

Experimental test plantings—

Species testing blocks.

Shelter-belt combination tests.

Pruning, spacing, and methods of cultivation tests.
Cooperative shelter-belt demonstrations—

Propagation of planting stock.

Distribution of trees.

Data from established shelter belts.

EXPERIMENTAL TEST PLANTINGS
SPECIES TESTING BLOCKS

Blocks of uniform size, containing in most cases 100 trees each,
have been planted in pure stand with such species as give promise
of being adapted to use in the Great Plains region. These blocks are
intended to serve principally as tests of hardiness.

Table 5 shows the species that were in the testing blocks in 1922
and the year they were planted.

TasLe 5.—Year of planting species of trees and varieties alive in 1922 in the testing
blocks at the Northern Great Plains Field Station

| Block | Year

seed |
Scientific name Common name | No. | planted

|
BePNUO AS AINCA. set a IBalsamnetinte ee eee eo | 22 | 1922
PMMESCOMCOIOIN ere n Sas tek Dito Wihite pipes soe ee eee e | 29 | 1922
i OBP GEV Ce SE SS i sane een ee ee ee Ginna ap lek ase as ees eae | 118 | 1915
FP DET | eS oe a a ee ee IBOxeld era enia ese ae et ae | 111 | 1915
Sy 5.0110) (UZ YTUO) CG Cet a NOT Wayalaples essen ss eesa See | 42} 1922
Supe CHIAIITINT Tg or oe 8 ce Zcilveriomsolt maple == 252. 2+ == 2-2. | 102 | 1915
Be ormUALMRICUIN = t= 2 Le Ratanantmaple: = 25 oss 62 ois a8 110 | 1915
munclanchiereanadensis... _-2..-..---------2_2__ June berry, or shadblow -_------------ 112} 1916
DLs ELLIS a 2 ee ee nee a bee | European white birch--.----.-----.-- 94 1916
Bolin apyiilerac= fe 622 oo Cancepbinch ies: Seve a) 2 ee eee 95 | 1916
EMMA mOMuNOlas 2 2 Grayebinchermens aman ua see | 77 | 1915
“2 SINE, SUC PS sh a cll dcermbinchse tes seem se SES 44 | 1917
Carazana-arberestens.--__-_.._...-..__.._..__.- Siberian peattree 2220). eh ty | 86 | 1915
DRASTIC CHIOR PAIS oS aoe iseacknenky eee eae een eo re! 81 | 1916

8 BULLETIN 1301, U.

DEPARTMENT OF

AGRICULTURE

TaBLE 5.—Year of planting species of trees and varieties alive in 1922 in the testing
blocks at the Northern Great Plains Field Station—Continued

Scientific name |

Common name

Elaeagnus angustifolia
Fagus americana

BR aSEpSMGRA = ewe k oa ane See eS. 8
Juglans cinerea
UB SS iri ea ee Se BE ee oe
Juniperus virginiana
Larix decidua
eyed BYa Te eI ee ee ea See eee
Beparsyrea arpented-- 2 he ae ee cs
TEP a 2) BS 0s eS Oe eae es ee ere
Picea plauca (var. Black Hills)= =" =>.
Picea engelmanni
Picea pungens

Russian olive
Beech

Redcedar. S222 <) aes eee
European larch
;RaMm ara C Keys. as ee a Se ae
IB THAIONDERE Wa. 20.2 ee eee
Wohi Ce\SpRuices 52 2 a eS ee
Black Hills spruce
Hngelmann Spree. 2620 68 es
Colorado blue spruce

IPIDUSID AR KSIAB Aya ee) er a eed Oe Se eS Jackjpine= 222 te Vee peter Pee eae
IP INVSCOnLOnEA GHA =e ee ee Eodgepole: pine... 22 ae ee
Panu TPXORTED COS chen are is ae TE FN ee yellow pine ee
(aes Sie eB eee Se Seen te Ree ee ee ee | 22 ROW ss Sa Ss ee ee eee
EP SIEGSIN OSA ae sale Sto eee av ee ee Red: pine_< 202s. ee. ee ees
IBIS SWEVCSERIS =a ae oeis © ae earns Bene ree ee Scotch pine: 22) eR eee eee Ee
IPonilesabbaimived a9 ee tet senee ee se | ‘Silver poplars] Se) a eee
12Gy a LR i BG ie ee 8 ee ie Carolina cottonwood_-_-_________-___-
IROnUlS DalsamiiCrans eee ee nn) eel Es a IRoplar Sa 32> sa oe ee ee ee
Hopulus: berolinensis2=2 <-_ =o s2e= =: = = | eee GOS 0s Se BEES eee eee
IP OPE ESIC2T I GICAN Sipe Se ames ede Sta | Balm of Gilead poplar________________
Be CA oe GP PE NED 2, he eee geen PP COS USE 2 Ee ae ae

CS oe oe i eg cad A 7 me rf) enema Dore ee ee Te oe |
Paneiee Sraudidentata 72iat sees aio 2 | argetooth aspen)= “a 2s eee
EQ TLS Tithe ye ae en Se OE ee ee Blaek. poplar 3220 eee eae
IRopHlus nigra puskiniana sss es Poplar: --< 22 so SrA ie Reh EN
IRepelusimnreraitabenes se on ses = ate ee Taabaids Poplars So aor laches
Ropulusspetrowskiana. et ere eS | Poplar? suse 2 oe oe ree
J2Gy SUIS Gee ele i a eee eget cee Canadian poplars. = eee
IY Gy aa er MI ne I ' ‘Carolina poplars = ees

DY pe Bae Sees ee | Edaho po plage 2 eee eee

DY (pera ead Et ee er en ee laiNiehael poplars (22 oe eee

A) (erg ee as SE ee SS So NS INorthwest poplars 22255 = 225 ee

AB) ee ee sic. cee Rr ge ri fee NOEWway: DODlan——= =. ee ee
Popes SATION Glee = Sra ee gE oe UE C2 Western or Sargent cottonwood _ ____--
Paes hee ee te Nea Se See ae eno ae eee Rone ee ee ee
IROpUlISIEECIMUI OIG eS Sa ee ee Quskimevaspen. eae |
IR OPUS WODSKs ysis oe es eS eT ODISER ss ee ee oer eee
REGS CUiG Grin Goo) Un enee tees Be Seana | Wileitplum: 22. . 28202 eee |
iIPranus pennsylvanicas >) s2ses Vela a PniiGhernyees:. 24 st Sie eae e
IESEEER EIS ESC RO GBRN A ce ems een er ers BlineksGherny =. 22 ee eee ee
IPE OHUSA IEG Aen ee ee eee REEL Ae @Chokecherry Eee ee
IPSCuGOLSH astaxHoline ass 5s ese nes sap ouclas yrs! ee) see ine
IERVECISSD ACCA Los eet een meen ne Siberian Crap ie Sates mess. ne Fe eee ee ae
GQICKCUS INACEOCARD A= os eee eS Mossy-cup or bur oak os 222. 52-65 =
Grcreus|Poreahs a. Sas wa a sae Se Reda 2 4.8 at Se ee mers
Fn amnus CaLnanti¢gess 22) senna eee co Ste! iBuekthorne’ 22: 8 32 eee a eae
FRRSiGy DA emanate Stas hornisumac= . 22 e ee e e
Sabb acutnolias. 2 ee as ee ee _Shaspleaiwillowe. 222 eee
Bane: ae Eee pe ga Pe Ee Se ie | Wilittespeillow:s— 2 92 2 ae
apa Ee pee eet ee | G CE ere ee ee eee

Salix Rani Seca Re eee RATE A Caspian willow. =.) = Sk See
Saltese mackenzicanas see esse eens 8s Diamond willow... <2. - -.3-= |
SI DGG es is BE ee a rye ee iaureliwillows. =. 0.5 "==: 0a
SHPLSSS ae es te es a ee oe rae Cee INOEWawiWIHOW 28- | 28 ae eee
12) ee ee a ee cc re [Welw certs as So ee

HP) ef eee ee ne A gal aes ey Er Red laurel-leaf willow______-___----_--
SULTS Are LITT UG Vy ah es eee | Russian golden willow __________--___-
Salrxaquitellina i DEILZeHSIS! = =e eS ee Bronze golden willow -__------.-------- |
SORDES BARNCRICA Maye on neon yee te vee nS | American mountain ash___________--__
es ee ena cee et eS Nn ee CLOG ee SL Nie ae ee ee ee
SOEDES AUCH PaAnineere san te sce aol a eee European mountain ash______________- |
phuis CQCCIGENGCAHS es See ee ee = INEHORVIEAG ) ose ren 5 es eee eas |
Cpe: Len A Seek Ne ots ee os el ig ao ae ee ae ee

FRbias AMeCEICANA =a 8 eae Ne i ee Basswood, or American linden________
SHIRE CURODPRCA a ne pe ee ae } ident: 2s 9 ar Eee eee
Elin rS amiericana= 2 eu) bios nS e os ASMEFICAT Glin 2 2h 2B eee ee
lmus thomasrs._ 222 22 2 ee ee iRedtelni-<--2.'. S hs ad Lae ee
A REYA VIS) BOBBIN Leg oe 8 ae) Ss ee hi DwarteAsiatic¢elm = 3-- =a. 2

Block
No.

Year -
| planted

1916
1922

1916
1921
1916
1921
1916
1915
1916
1918
1916
1916
1922
1916
1917
1921
1916
1918.
1920
1916
1918
1916
1916
1916
1916
1916
1916
1922
1916
1916
1916
1916
1916
1915
1915
1922 .
1915
1916
1915
1918
1918
1916
1916
1918
1916
1918
1918
1918
1922
1922
1918
1918
1915
1915
1916
1921
1915
1915
1915
1922
1915
1915
1916
1918
1915
1915
1916
1921
1918
1915
1915
1916
1917

In addition to the varieties and species still under trial a consider-
able number have been tried and have failed. The failures were due
mostly to lack of hardiness, but in some cases further testing may be

ore. «

‘<a Me

AL SA Ee a ea

eee a Peres

warranted.

sources.

trial.

NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS FIELD STATION, 1913-1922 9

It is also desirable to test the same species from different

For these reasons, some of the species included in the
following list of failures also appear in the list of those still under

The following is a list of species that have been planted in the

species testing block and have not so far been successful:

Acer platanoides, Norway maple.

Betula alba, white birch.
Betula lutea, yellow birch.

Betula papyrtfera, canoe birch.

Betula populifolia, gray birch.

Betula sp.,
Fraxinus americana, white ash.
Gleditsia triacanthos, honey locust.
Hicoria ovata, hickory.

birch.

Juglans nigra, black walnut.

Ostrya virginiana, hop hornbeam.

Picea abies, Norway spruce.

Pinus flexilis, limber pine.

Populus alba nivea, silver poplar.
Populus sp., poplar (S. P. I. No. 22447).
Quercus alba, white oak.

Quercus borealis, red oak.

Quercus coccinea, scarlet oak.
Quercus macrocarpa, bur oak.

Quercus palusiris, pin oak.

Robinia pseudoacacia, black locust.
Salix acutifolia, sharpleaf willow.
Salix daphnoides, Caspian willow.
Salix sp., willow (S. P. I. No. 17737).

TaBLE 6.—Year of planting, spacing, number of rows, and arrangement of species
of trees in 22 shelter-belt combinations grown at the Northern Great Plains Field

Station
|
Combina- | Year | e pac: Number
tion planted | (feet) of rows
INOS 2 22 1915 4by4 12
<i 1915 4by4 16
IN@3 eae | 1915 | 4by 4 22
INO. 422." - 2. | 1915 | 4by4 20
MO: 5.2.) | 1915 | 2by8 16
Nine 1915 | 2by8 20 |
|
a | 1915 | 4by4 8 |
INOS8=s-----|- 1916 |:4 by-8 2
SC ee | 1916 | 4by8 3 |
Raz1 0" <> | 1916 | 4by8 4 |
MoT | 1916 | 4by8 5 |
INO 022— A= 1916 | 4by8 6
INiGesl oes 1916 | 4by8 8
No. 14.-.:_| 1916 | 4by8 10
NOs 15 = 5) 1916 | 4by4 18 |
kt 1916 | 4by 4 9
Wosl7=< 1916 | 4by4 4
hos 18.)- 1917 6by 12 6 |
ig 191) 1917 | 4by4 10
|
No. 20___--- 1917 | 4by8 5 |
iN) eee 1917 | 4by 4 20 |
|
No. 22____.. 1917 | 4by8 10 |
|

5381—25}——2

Arrangement of tree species (from east to west)

Alternate rows of killdeer birch and green ash.

Two rows each of chokecherry, box elder, green ash, Carolina
poplar, box elder, laure} willow, Russian golden willow, and
chokecherry.

Wild plum, 2 rows; alternate rows of box elder and green ash, 8
rows; alternate rows of Carolina poplar and Russian golden
willow, 8rows; diamond willow, 2rows; and wild plum, 2rows.

Caragana, 2 rows; green ash, Carolina poplar, box elder, and
laurel-willow, 4 rows each; and caragana, 2 rows.

Caragana, box elder, green ash, Carolina poplar, box elder, laurel
willow, Russian golden willow, and caragana, 2 rows each.

Caragana, 2 rows; alternate rows of green ash and box elder, 8
rows; alternate rows of Carolina poplar and laurel willow, 8
rows; and caragana, 2 rows.

Green ash and Russian golden willow, alternate rows.

| Caragana and laurel willow, 1 row each.
| Caragana, Carolina poplar, and laurel willow, 1 row each.

porseaus, Norway poplar, box elder, and laurel willow, 1 row
each.

_ Russian golden willow, box elder, poplar, box elder, and laurel

willow.

| Russian golden willow, 1 row; alternate rows of poplar and box

elder, 4 rows; and laurel willow, 1 row.

| Caragana, 1 row; laurel willow, 1 row; and alternate rows of pop-

lar and Russian golden willow, 6 rows.

| Laurel willow, 2 rows; alternate rows of poplar sp. and box elder,

7 rows; and Russian golden willow, 1 row.

| Laurel willow, box elder, green ash, box elder, poplar, box elder,

poplar, box elder, and laurel willow, 2 rows each.

_ Box elder, Russian golden willow, box elder, poplar, box elder,

green ash, box elder, laurel willow, and boxelder. (Trees in
| rows 1 and 9 are 2 feet apart.) é
| Caragana, box elder, green ash, and laurel willow. (Trees in

rows 1 and 4 are 2 feet apart.)

Box elder, green ash. dwarf Asiatic elm, northwest poplar, kill-
deer birch, and sharpleaf willow.

Buffalo berry, sharpleaf willow, box elder, green ash, dwarf
Asiatic elm, northwest poplar, killdeer birch, green ash, box-
elder, and sharpleaf willow.

| Buffalo berry, box elder, dwarf Asiatic elm, killdeer birch, and

sharpleaf willow.

Buffalo berry, sharpleaf willow, red laurel-leaf willow, box elder,
killdeer birch, box elder, green ash, box elder, northwest poplar,
dwarf Asiatic elm, box elder, green ash, killdeer birch, north-
west poplar, box elder, green ash, killdeer birch, red laurel-leaf
willow, sharpleaf willow, and killdeer birch.

Buffalo berry, sharpleaf willow, killdeer birch, northwest poplar,
dwarf Asiatic elm, killdeer birch, green ash, boxelder, red
laurel-leaf willow, and killdeer birch. (Trees in rows 1 and 10
are spaced 2 feet apart.)

10 BULLETIN 1301, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

SHELTER-BELT COMBINATION TESTS

A series of 22 shelter-belt combinations has been planted, in which
a number of tree species are arranged in different combinations and
spacings. The object of these tests is to determine, in a general way,
the ability of a given species to grow in direct competition with trees
of the same or different species in adjacent rows.

Table 6 gives the details of the spacing, arrangement of species,
and year of planting these shelter-belt combinations.

Trees in these shelter-belt combinations have not reached a size
large enough to show any marked effect of the different spacing dis-
tances. In general, however, the wider spacings seem to produce the
better growth.

Green ash growing in alternate rows with box elder does not do
as well as where it is in competition with other species, the box elder
showing a marked ability to outgrow the ash in both height and lateral
spread of branches. |

Several of the species, notably Norway poplar, Carolina poplar,
laurel willow, Russian golden willow, and killdeer birch, have not
proved hardy or drought resistant and have largely died out in most
of the combinations.

TESTS OF PRUNING, SPACING, AND METHODS OF CULTIVATION

Shelter-belt combinations of both hardwood and evergreen trees
have been planted in series where the kind and arrangement of the
trees are identical, but the spacing and care are varied.

The details of the different units of the hardwoods in this experi-
ment are shown in Figure 2. Each block consists of 10 rows of trees
spaced and treated as indicated in the illustration. Beginning with
the east row of each block, the arrangement of species is as follows:
Buffalo berry, sharpleaf willow, box elder, green ash, box elder,
northwest poplar, green ash, boxelder, red laurel-leaf willow, and
Tatarian maple.

At the end of the fifth year of growth the trees are hardly large
enough to show the effects of spacing except in the series planted 4
by 4 feet, where the trees have grown completely together and begin
to show the effects of crowding. |

Moderate pruning seems to have no detrimental effect as com-
pared with no pruning, but decided damage is done by severe pruning.

The mulched blocks still compare favorably with the clean-culti-
vated ones, but the neglected blocks are rapidly dying out in certain ©
places.

TEN-ROW BLOCKS IN PURE STAND

Four species, boxelder, green ash, northwest poplar, and sharp-
leaf willow, have been planted in pure stands in 10-row blocks.
Each species occupies two blocks, one spaced 4 by 4 feet and one 4
by 8 feet. At the end of the fifth growing season the trees in the
blocks spaced 4 by 4 feet begin to show the effects of crowding.

CONIFER COMBINATIONS AND SPACING TESTS

Two combinations of conifers have been planted, with three differ-
ent spacings each. ‘The arrangement of the species and the spacing
in this experiment are shown in Table 7. The trees are not yet large
enough to show any effects of close spacing.

NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS FIELD STATION, 1913-1922 Et

TABLE 7.—Spacing and arrangement of species in the six blocks of the conifer com-
binations and spacing experiment at the Northern Great Plains Field Station

| Spac-
Block | ing Arrangement of species from east to west
| (feet)
No. 1__.-..--------------| 2by 4 Scotch pine, jack pine, western yellow pine, Scotch pine, jack pine,
. | ae western yellow pine.
0.

Do.
Black Hills spruce, western yellow pine, jack pine, Scotch pine, and
Black Hills spruce.
O.

i
12

woes icee
imi

i Bate
ee , |

Fic. 2—Plan of the pruning, spacing, and methods of cultivationyexperiments with hardwood"shelter
belts at the Northern Great Plains Field Station

COOPERATIVE SHELTER-BELT DEMONSTRATIONS

In 1915 a working cooperation with farmers living in the northern
part of the Great Plains region was arranged, whereby the Depart-
ment of Agriculture furnishes the trees, planting plans, and instruc-
tions for starting shelter belts on their farms. ‘These shelter belts
are designed to serve as demonstrations of the best methods of pre-

12 BULLETIN 1301, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

paring the land and planting and cultivating the trees. It is hoped
that they will also serve to encourage farmers generally to purchase
trees of hardy varieties and plant suitable shelter belts around their
buildings.

The first demonstration plantings were made in 1916.

PROPAGATION OF PLANTING STOCK

A nursery is maintained at the station for propagating the trees |
for the demonstration plantings. Seed for the production of native
tree species is collected locally, and as far as possible seed of introduced
species is taken from blocks of trees growing at the station or on
other plantings in the area, to insure hardiness.

Table 8 shows the total number of trees of all species used in
pmepeiratign plantings in the seven years from 1916 to 1922, in-
clusive.

TABLE 8.—Total number of trees of all species used in demonstration plantings each
year in four States in the northern section of the Great Plains

TREY Ge eS Se Ne ee | 451, 554 131, 803 83, 923 | 34, 631 | 701, 911
TO og SE ae ee ls A cee So | 226, 870 84, 559 31, 931 | 14, 340 | 357, 700
TOI OS shee eee ge Be ee ee ee | 84,516 | ~ 30, 688 20, 240 | 6, 858 | 142, 302
POG eee ae eee ety hae oy See ce FE | 79, 906 62, 146 | 16, 651 | 3, 859 162, 562
192) Mime eos See ee ete Pa S| 67, 463 29, 264 | 20, 071 | 7, 385 124, 183
ID 2 peer aye aE eee en, ot = | 60, 636 29, 632 | 15, 949 | 5, 348 111, 565
LA eNO 2a Se a ee ee | 75, 591 45, 154 33, 884 We alAL 165, 800

TNO ete oe eS a ee | 1, 046, 536 413, 246 | 222, 649 | 83,592 | 1, 766, 023

DISTRIBUTION OF TREES

The accompanying map (fig. 3) shows the general manner in
which the demonstrations have been distributed. The number of
plantings made each year in the four states specified is shown in
Table 9.

TaBLE 9.—Number of demonstration plantings of trees in the northern section
of the Great Plains, showing the percentage of plantings in active cooperation
at the end of succeeding years

Percentage of plantings active at end of— |

| | | |

| | |
RON Gee Menara eg Mae oe 633 94 80 | 69 | 59 50 | 45 282
TOY 7s ee SAR Ne an 232 95 | 74 58 | 50 | 46 44 103
TOT eae ROE Re Se een ee 75 81 | 57 49 47 | 43 | 43 32
TUG) 221 Slee cas ane guia ee eer Pa as 202 91 | 76 67 Ly (ee 57 116
LOD ea ayers Den ee as had 92 97 | 88 | 785 | sere aL Ee ae 78 72
ROD Te nee se USE wee eee ee 93 98 95) 2 ees eapar e [ies caer SN 95 88
ROD Deere ee MALS ee Re eee 181 O7m eres oe fe Geel h Sates [aeeeeneee 97 176
Total or average 1_--.-.---- 1,508 |, 94 79.7) 166 || hg") * eal | er aa 869

1 The numbers in this line are computed from the totals and are not the averages of the percentages above
them in the column. _

Failures have been due to one or more causes, the more common of
which were improper planting, lack of care and cultivation, prolonged
drought, and the owner leaving the farm. The years from 1917 to
1920, inclusive, were all years of severe drought, so the percentage
of successful plantings gives encouraging evidence of the possibility
of starting shelter belts.

Plantings for the years from 1916 to 1922, inclusive, were distributed
to the different States as follows: Montana, 864, or 57 per cent;

... Russian olive

NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS FIELD STATION, 1913-1922

North Dakota, 367, or 24 per cent; South Dakota, 211, or 14 per
cent; and Wyoming, 67, or 5 per cent.

The kinds of trees used each year have varied. Species that. have
proved to be not adapted have been discarded, and new species have

been added from time to

time.

—_——- — . __

Se
oe

SO te SERRE

——_———=

Table 10 gives the number of trees
of each species that has been planted to date.

——_— = =

—eoee ee =
ee = i

Fic. 3——Outline map of the northern Great Plains region.

cooperative shelter belts have been planted

The dots indicate townships in which

TaBLeE 10.—Planting stock of trees used in demonstration plantings in the northern
section of the Great Plains, 1916-1922, inclusive

Species and variety

Size

Poplar:
Norway and Carolina

Willow:
Laurel and Russian golden
D

PINE Ga) ole Sa a eee ee
lm:
Dwarf Asiatic
White
Tatarian maple
Buffalo berry
Chokecherry

C
E

Spruce:
Colorado blue
White

9-inch cuttings
1-year rooted cuttings

9-inch cuttings
1-year rooted cuttings
1-year seedlings
| 2-year seedlings
|e do

1-year seedlings
2-year seedlings
| l-year seedlings
2-year seedlings
1-year seedlings

SSS ee

Total
number
of trees

49, 233

199, 487
232, 019
| 448, 322

138, 289

| 185, 085 |
50, 183 |

| 305, 913 |

Years used

1916.
1916 and 1917.
1920 to 1922, inclusive.

1916 and 1917.
1916 to 1919, inclusive.
1916 to 1922, inclusive.
Do.
Do.

1918 and 1919.
1917 and 1922.
1920 and 1922.

| 1920 to 1922, inclusive.

1921 and 1922.
1922.
Do.

1919, 1920, and 1922.
| 1919 to 1921, inclusve.

1919 to 1922, inclusive.

1920 and 1922.
1921 and 1922.
Do.

14 BULLETIN 1301, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

DATA FROM ESTABLISHED SHELTER BELTS

In the late summer of the year the trees are planted, farmers are
‘furnished cards to report losses during the first growing season. Ap-
proximately half of the cards are returned. Table 11 gives the per-
centage of trees of each species that were alive at the end of the first
season, as shown by the reports received.

TasBLe 11—Perceniage of irees of each species in the demonstration plantings in
the northern section of the Great Plains alive at the end of the first year

Year
Species
1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922

EAE CHE LEADS) | ree ee Me Que 2 2 = 2 2S sR ee ee
“LL AL CEL ee Se eee GS Sa bee a Ghent cae eae eee ee eee
PAplArTOOLeEO CHEMRES) == = eS - 96. 7 | Ree afi a eee =
Willow (rooted cuttings). .__.__.___________-- 92.6 67.8 56. 6 45:6) 26 = ee ee
Ti: Tee UC oe ee Se Se eee $9.1 | 81.7 $3. 3 P38: 88. 2 88. 5 93. 2
Gre pais Ass eS BO ee ee ee eee 93.7 85. 0 ri fer- 68. 5 79.9 66.9 96.1
CAST oo int Soi i eee es ee LES eee 90. 0 (8/6) 22 Q1.4 g4. 8
Watchin a ee eee | i? (82-352 2 eS eS A eae 89.3
Pwart Asinticetm= S| ee He neces! @ GQ) 2. ee ee
ining mnie: Seas ee ee) ae ae eee ey ees | ee SE ee en 70.9
TEVPEEP UY EA Powe Sn eye eS eee ae me (coal RENE ae Sco Ss 27.4 84.4
(ehnekecherry ne see te ee | eee, |e Ta eer oe WET FS 91.0 86. 7
Raising iyese =e ee ee a) eee (Ree Le eee ee eee 77.8
ACK altitl ee ee ee ee a |) eee DRE Bere [ee oa Ree Sa @)

Nertwest poplar ae ee | ee ‘Ral anomie [ak te ee 89.0 94.9
SLED RE Dy Fire (5 Ses RS Se eae finn Sle eee $8. 5 eee
Western velow pine) Se S| eee Ae [Pe ete [in 9.7 32: 32) =e
apucka gies soe ee see | aaa ee ee eee 25. 4 43.3 | =
Gaterade hue Spraices 2. ee __ | ee [cee canens) (eee (Ce eee: 46.0) 22 = eee
EDULIS ELT ee a eR ed Se) PR {ie Se So [ec ee 26:9).

Black Hills spruce 23.4

i Only a limited number of these species was used, and no reports were received.
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

During the period 1916-1922, 1,508 cooperative demonstration
shelter belts were planted in the Great Plains areas of Montana,
North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Of this number 869
were growing at the close of the summer of 1922. A total of 1,766,023
trees were used in these plantings. :

Of the tree species extensively tested, the following seem adapted to
the climatic conditions generally prevailing: Box elder, green ash,
white elm, and caragana.

The following species, which have so far been tested only in a
limited way, give promise of being suitable for general planting:
Northwest poplar, chokecherry, buffalo berry, Russian olive, Black
Hills spruce, white spruce, blue spruce, Scotch pine, and jack pine.

Extensive tests of the following species show they are not adapted
for general planting: Norway poplar, Carolina poplar, Russian golden
willow, and laurel willow.

Careful preparation of the soil before planting to conserve moisture
and work out grass and weeds is a prime requisite for successful tree
planting. Clean summer fallow is the best tillage practice for this

urpose.
: Clean cultivation after planting is essential to the continued growth
of young trees. Neglect in this respect for a single season is likely to
result in serious damage to the trees.

‘NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS FIELD STATION, 1913-1922 15

Insect and animal pests may cause considerable damage unless
precautions are taken.

With such species as box elder, green ash, and white elm, stock
raised from seed procured from native trees has shown greater hardi-
ness than that coming from more southern and eastern localities.
Seed for propagating any species for planting in shelter belts on the
northern Great Plains should come from a northern source.

The best spacing for trees in shelter belts has not yet been deter-
mined. Present data indicate that for the average planting site in
the area, the 4 by 8 feet distance used in these demonstrations is too
close. Further information is needed on this point.

The experience of these seven years of tree planting has shown con-
clusively that it is possible to start successfully a planting of trees on
the average upland farm site in the northern Great Plains. Future
investigation must show whether or not it is possible for such plant-
ings me maintain themselves after they have attained their maximum
growth.

Instructions to cooperators, and details of the plan of cooperation
for the information of prospective cooperators, have been published
in circulars, which may be obtained on request from the Northern
Great Plains Field Station, Mandan, N. Dak. Further information
is given in United States Department of Agriculture Bulletin No.
1118, and Farmers’ Bulletin No. 1312.°

HORTICULTURAL INVESTIGATIONS °

Climatic conditions on the northern Great Plains are so severe that
horticultural development has been slow and meager. Particularly is
this true of perennials, such as fruit and ornamental shrubs and trees,
which, to be successful, must endure the climate over a period of
years. In general, success has been more marked in cities and towns
where the trees are partially protected from wind, and where irriga-
tion on a small scale is possible. Few farmers have succeeded in their
efforts to grow fruit trees, ornamental trees, or shrubs, and farm life
thus lacks one of the factors that tend to make it more desirable and
attractive.

The climate of this region has been described on previous pages.
The factors that make horticulture especially difficult are long, cold
winters, droughts, severe winds, and short growing seasons.

Temperatures of —30° to —40° F. sometimes occur during the
winter months, but there are other regions having temperatures
approximately as low which have been far more successful along
horticultural lines, so the difficulty is not one of temperature alone.
Winterkilling has sometimes been very severe following dry autumns,
which suggests the possibility that winter injury is often at least
partially caused by drying out, or desiccation.

5 Wilson, Robert, and F. E. Cobb. Development of cooperative shelter-belt demonstrations on the
northern Great Plains. U.S. Dept. Agr. Bul. 1113, 28 p., 15 fig. 1923.
Johnson, Fred R., and F. E. Cobb. ‘Tree planting in the Great Plains region. U.S. Dept. Agr.,
Farmers’ Bul. 1312, 33 p., 18 fig. 1923. *
_ A copy of the latter bulletin may be obtained free by addressing the Department of Agriculture, Wash-
ington, D. C. The former may be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, Government
Printing Office, Washington, D. C., for 10 cents. j
6 By W. P. Baird, Associate Agronomist, and T. K. Killand, Scientific Aid, Office of Dry-Land Agri-
culture Investigations.

16 BULLETIN 1301, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Drought at critical periods durmg the growing season causes
severe losses, and often is responsible for poor stands the first summer
after planting. Strong winds increase the amount of drying out in
both winter and summer, cause damage to the fohage, blow much
fruit from the trees, and if accompanied by high temperatures, some-
times cause scalding or burning of fruit and tender foliage. ~Protec-
tion from wind is almost essential to success with fruit. The average
length of the frost-free period at Mandan is 134 days. This limits
fruit to comparatively late-blossoming and early-maturing varieties.

The horticultural work at the station has had three objects: (1) To
determine the varieties best adapted to the region; (2) to determine
the horticultural methods best suited to the conditions: and (3) to
create by plant breeding new or improved varieties better adapted
than those already available. The work is reported under four
groups or headings: Pomology, or fruit growing; olericulture, or
vegetable growing; ornamentals and landscape gardening; and.
miscellaneous.

The horticultural work at the station began mn 1913. This report
covers the 10-year period, 1913-1922.

POMOLOGY

Success with fruits is extremely rare, and very few of the thousands
of trees planted on the northern Great Plains have lived to bearing
age. Standard varieties and methods used farther east have been
found unsuited to the trying conditions. It is not likely that this
region will ever be able to compete commercially with other localities
better adapted to fruit growing, but enough has been done to indi-
cate that it is both possible and worth while to grow some fruit for
home use.

A considerable part of the horticultural work at Mandan has been
devoted to fruit growing. Variety tests, cultural tests, and fruit-
breeding work have been in progress.

VARIETY TESTS

Variety tests are always of importance in a new region, as one
must know, first of all, what varieties to plant. Not only the varie-
ties standard in the nursery trade but new productions from northern
States and introductions from foreign countries are involved in the
testing. A number of introductions made by the Office of Foreign
Seed and Plant Introduction of the United States Department of
Agriculture and by the Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plains, Mass.,
are being tested, and some give promise of being valuable additions
to the present list of hardy fruits. Others are useful for plant
breeding.

APPLES

A large number of the hardier varieties of apples and crab apples
have been tested. Apples have not been generally successful from
the standpoint of fruit production, but it is too early to draw definite
conclusions, as the oldest trees are only 8 years old. Altogether
‘about 2,000 apple and crab-apple trees, representing nearly 100
varieties, have been planted for variety tests or other purposes.
About 10 per cent of the trees planted failed to start growth, and

NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS FIELD STATION, 1913-1922 1%

about 40 per cent of those that started died within three or four
years. The trees that survived appeared to become more hardy and
resistant with age, but as yet none have produced what might be
called a good crop of fruit. Crab apples generally have been more
productive than standard apples.

The first variety-testing orchard was started in 1913, when 180
trees representing 12 varieties were planted. A stand of 166 trees
was obtained, but only 55 survived the first winter. Through winter
injury and damage by rabbits the remaining trees were in such poor
condition that they were discarded in 1916, and the test was a failure
notwithstanding the fact that such hardy varieties as Hibernal,
Virginia, and Transcendent were included.

Another variety test was started in 1914, in what is designated as
the ‘‘main orchard.” It included more than 500 trees, set 16 by
241% feet apart. The varieties were Hibernal, Yellow Transparent,
University, Patten, Longfield, Malinda, Northwestern Greening,
Peter, Okabena, Oldenburg (Duchess), Wealthy, Adno, Hibkee, and
Sereda apples and Red Siberian, Yellow Siberian, Whitney, Minne-
sota, Transcendent, Florence, Hyslop, and Virginia crabs. Of 540
trees planted 502 started to grow, but only 213 remained in 1918, or
42 per cent of the number that started growth. As the showing was
so poor and damage by rabbits so severe all remaining trees except
a few crabs were discarded in 1918.

Detailed annual notes covering winter injury, growth, height, and
fruitfulness have been taken for every tree in the above test, but such
records are too extensive to be presented here. The Transcendent
and Virginia crabs, survivals of the 1914 plantings, gave the best
results. About 73 per cent of the former and 70 per cent of the latter
varieties are now growing vigorously and producing some fruit.

A variety test was started in the “hillside orchard’’ in 1914 and
1915. Hibernal, Blushed Calville, Charlamoff, Anisette, Acid
Repka (Repka Kislaja), Oldenburg (Duchess), Simbirsk, Antonovka,
Gipsy Girl, Ostrakoff, and Volga Anis apples; and Lyman, Whitney,
Phillips, Transcendent, Hyslop, and Virginia crabs being included.
Less than half of those planted are now alive. Hibernal, Virginia,
Lyman, and Transcendent seem to be the hardiest and most thrifty
growers of the varieties tested, but most of the trees in this exposed
orchard are in poor condition.

One of the most successful plantings was started in 1916. It con-
sisted of 100 Hibernal apples and 100 Virginia crabs. Of the original
number planted 88 Hibernals and 80 Virginia crabs are now alive,
the former averaging about 6 feet in height and the latter about 8
feet. No apples and only light crops of crabs have yet been produced.
It is planned to top-work to other varieties some of the trees in this
orchard. This may increase fruit production by giving better
pollination.

Variety tests have also been conducted under a system of close
planting in hedgerows, one planting being made in 1918 and one in
1919. Standard varieties, for the most part, were used in the 1918
planting; whereas a number of Prof. N. E. Hansen’s productions and a
number of Canadian productions are being tested in the 1919 plant-
ing, which included more than 50 varieties of apples and crabs.
About 50 per cent of the trees set in the 1918 planting and 73 per

18 BULLETIN 1301, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

cent of those in the 1919 planting are alive. The low percentage
in the first planting is due to poor stands obtained the first
summer. Some of the newer varieties of crabs in the 1919 planting,
two Oldenburg (Duchess), and several Patten, have already borne
fruit. Silvia, Beauty, Jenkins, and Dolgo appear to be among the
more promising of the crabs, but this test has not gone far enough to
permit definite conclusions.

About 30 apple and crab selections from the Minnesota Fruit-
Breeding Farm were planted in 1921, good stands resulting.

About 50 seleetions from the South Dakota Agricultural College
are being tested, but have not yet borne fruit.

In general, the variety testing of apples here has shown: (1) That
only the hardiest varieties will survive; (2) that even when the hardi-
est varieties are selected poor-stands often occur and fruit production
is uncertain; (3) that some of the newer varieties from Canada and
South Dakota seem to be promising; (4) that of the older varieties,
Hibernal and Oldenburg (Duchess) apples and Virginia and Tran-
scendent crabs have given the best results, but no variety has pro-
duced good crops of fruit; and (5) that while apples have been unsatis-
factory to a large extent it is as yet too early to condemn them,
especially if planted in protected places. :

PEARS

Pears have been tested to a limited extent, but have generally shown
a lack of hardiness and should not be planted except possibly where
special protection is given. Flemish Beauty is the hardiest variety
tested. Several varieties of pears have come through the last few
winters without serious injury when grown in bush form in hedge-
rows and protected by a mulch.

PLUMS

Plums have been by far the most satisfactory of the tree fruits
tested. Prunus domestica varieties and Japanese plums (P. salicina)
are not hardy, so it is to the native P. americana or P. nigra selections
or to hybrids between these hardy native plums and the more tender
Japanese varieties, that one must look for success. Some crosses
between the native sand cherry (P. besseyr) and both native and
Japanese plums have done well. Hybrids between the Japanese
plums and either native plums or native sand cherries are the finest
and best in quality that can be grown on the northern Plains, but
such hybrids are likely to be somewhat lacking in hardiness.

The first varietal test of plums was started in 1913 with Terry,
De Soto, Wyant, Wolf, Hanska, Cheresoto, Opata, Sapa, and Sansoto
varieties. Out of 85 trees planted only 41 were alive in 1916, and
they were in such poor condition that all were discarded. Wolf,
Wyant, and Sansoto gave the best results in this preliminary test.
This first test with some of the hardiest varieties of plums and plum-
sand cherry hybrids resulted in failure as complete as the preliminary
test with apples and crab apples.

The main plum variety-testing orchard was started in 1914, the
trees being set 13 by 16 feet apart. At that time 20 commercial
varieties and 8 selections from the Minnesota State Fruit-Breeding
Farm were included. Out of 260 trees planted in 1914 only 76 were

“NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS FIELD STATION, 1913-1922 19

alive in the fall of the following year, and it has been necessary to do
extensive replanting each year, as even the hardiest varieties are
likely to kill out and show poor stands for the first few years after
planting. Much better stands have been obtained from plantings
made in later years. Of 160 plums planted in hedgerows in 1918,
141 were alive in the fall of 1922, and of 62 planted in 1919, 43 were
alive in 1922. Better stands have been obtained in the comparatively
heavier soil of the west field than in the very sandy soil where the main
plum variety orchard is located.

The following notes on the several varieties are based on their
performance at Mandan:

Aitkin (P. nigra) —Semihardy, has winterkilled badly when young; large
attractive fruit of fair quality; midseason, light bearer; dwarf upright tree;
subject to shot-hole fungus; only fair variety.

Cheney (P. nigra).—Semihardy to hardy; medium-sized attractive red fruit of
poor to fair quality; midseason; fair bearer; upright tree.

Cheresoto (P. besseyiX P. americana).—Semihardy; medium-sized fruit of fair
to good quality; midseason; fair bearer; low spreading tree or bush form.

ee (P. besseyiX Gold plum).—Semihardy; small, poor fruit, sour; of no
value.

Compass (P. besseyi X Miner plum).—One of the hardiest; small fruit of good
anally ; early; heavy bearer. One of the most reliable varieties for the northern

ains.

Cree (P. nigra X Combination plum).—Semihardy to hardy; good-sized attrac-
tive sweet fruit of fair to good quality; very early; heavy bearer. A very promis-
ing variety.

De Soto (P. americana).—Semihardy to hardy; medium-sized fruit of fair to
good quality; midseason to late; heavy bearer.

Emerald (P. salicinaX P. americana).—Semihardy; fruit large with soft flesh,
of good quality and pleasant flavor, poor keeper, sweet and juicy; late; heavy
bearer. A good variety for home use, but fruit is liable to damage by early fall
frosts.

Forest Garden (P. hortulana mineri).—Semihardy to hardy; medium-sized red
fruit of fair quality, peculiar flavor; late; prolific. A good annual bearer.

Hanska (P. americanaX P. simoni).—Not hardy; large fruit with firm flesh,
very good quality; midseason; light to medium bearer. Not adapted to the
northern Plains except in the most favorable situations.

Hawkeye (P. americana).—Semihardy; large attractive fruit of fair quality;
late; light to medium bearer.

Jewell (P. americana).—Semihardy; medium to large attractive fruit of fair
quality; late; medium bearer.

Mendota (Minnesota No. 5) (?).—Semihardy; large attractive fruit of good
quality; midseason; light bearer.

“Minnesota No. 6’’ (?).—Semihardy; large attractive fruit of good quality;
midseason; light bearer.

“Minnesota No. 35’ (?).—Semihardy (?); large, red, attractive plum; mid-
season; medium to light bearer. A good plum if it proves hardy.
~ New Ulm (P. americana).—Semihardy to hardy; large, attractive, yellow to
light red fruit of fair quality; late; medium bearer; low spreading tree.

Ojibwa (P. salicinaX P. nigra). —Semihardy to hardy; medium-sized attractive
red fruit, pointed at apex, fair to good quality; early; prolific. A promising
variety for the northern plains.

Opata [P. besseyiX(P. munsonianaXP. salicina)|—Semihardy; small to
medium fruit with small pit, good quality, but a little lacking in flavor; earliest
plum; bears second year; very prolific; drought resistant. This plum is not as
hardy as could be desired, but on account of its earliness, good quality, and
heavy annual fruiting habit it is one of the most valuable for the northern plains.

Oziya (P. salicinaX P. americana).—Semihardy; fruit of good size and quality,
but ripens unevenly and drops badly; very early; prolific. A good plum for the
home garden.

Pembina (P. nigraXP. salicina)—Semihardy (?); large attractive fruit of
fair to good quality; midseason; light bearer; appears promising.

““Penning seedling No. 3”’ (P. americana?).—Semihardy (?); large attractive
fruit of fair to good quality; late; light to medium bearer.

20 BULLETIN 1301, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Red wing (Minnesota No. 12) (P. salicinaXP. americana)—Semihardy (2);
large attractive fruit of good quality; midseason; heavy bearer. This is one of
the finest fruits grown at the station, but there is some doubt of its hardiness.

““ Richard” (P. nigra?) —Semihardy to hardy; good-sized, attractive fruit; mid-
season; medium bearer; dwari habit.

Sansoto (P. besseyiX P. americana) ——Semihardy to hardy; similar to Chere-
soto.

Sapa (P. besseyiXP. salicina)—Semihardy; small to medium-sized fruit
of good quality, with dark-purple flesh and small pit; early, prolific; bears second
year. This variety is one of the finest of the sand cherry—plum hybrids, is
drought resistant, and generally a heavy bearer, although not as prolific as Opata.
It is not as hardy as Opata, and this is its chief drawback. It has done best in
bush form.

“S. P. I. No. 36607” (Prunus sp.)—Hardy; small green or yellow fruit of
very good quality; early; light to medium bearer. This little plum is worth
planting on account of its hardiness and superior quality, and because its flavor
is so decidedly different from other plums tested. Its disadvantages are early
blooming and its tendency to light crops. It should be of value in breeding
work.

“Seedling No. 2” (P. americana)—Hardy; medium-sized, attractive, red,

mottled fruit of fair to good quality; early; prolific bearer. This variety was
propagated from a seedling orchard near Edgeley, N. Dak. It is an earlier,
hardier, and better plum than most of the standard P. americana varieties and
deserves wider testing in the area.

“Seedling No. 5” (P. americana)—Hardy; medium-sized fruit of the De
Soto type, but earlier and larger; prolific bearer. Obtained from the same
source as Seedling No. 2 and is also worthy of distribution. It is one of the
most valuable of the P. americana varieties tested.

Stella (P. salicinaX P. americana) —Semihardy; large attractive fruit of fair
to good quality; midseason to late; light bearer.

Stoddard (P. americana) —Semihardy; large, fine, attractive fruit of fair to
good quality; late; light bearer. Not recommended.

Surprise (P. hortulana mineri)—Semihardy; medium-sized attractive fruit of
good quality; late; light bearer.

Terry (P. americana) —Young trees not hardy, having repeatedly winterkilled;
older trees, semihardy; large attractive fruit of fair to good quality; midseason
to late; prolific bearer. This is a fine plum, but it has been subject to considerable
winterkilling at Mandan. ‘The few trees that have reached a bearing age seem
to become hardier as they grow older and bear heavy crops of excellent fruit.

Teton (P. americana) —Hardy; medium-sized to large attractive fruit of fair
to good quality; late, prolific bearer. A good americana pium, but sometimes
the fruit drops badly. Tree a vigorous grower.

Tonka (Minnesota No. 21) (P. salicinaX P. americana.—Semihardy (?); large
attractive fruit of good quality; midseason; medium bearer. A very good variety
if it proves hardy enough to warrant general planting.

“Training School Special” (P. americana?) —Apparently hardy; attractive red
fruit of medium size and good quality; midseason to late; medium bearer. This
plum was propagated from an old orchard on the grounds of the State training
‘school. It may be some named variety or a root sprout, but is better than most
standard americana varieties.

Waneia (P. salicinaX P. americana) —Semihardy; large attractive fruit with
firm flesh and good quality; midseason; prolific bearer. This variety is one of
our finest plums, but there is some doubt whether it is hardy enough to warrant
general planting on the northern Plains.

Wolf (P. americana)—Semihardy to hardy; medium-sized attractive fruit
of fair to good quality; midseason; medium bearer. One of the best of the
standard americana varieties.

Wyant. (P.~americana)—Semihardy to hardy; medium-sized, fair quality,
almost freestone fruit; late; prolific bearer. This variety has been. a-.heavy
annual bearer and is valuable for that reason.

Many other varieties of plums are under trial, but as yet there are
not sufficient data to warrant comment on them. Results indicate
that the following list of plums, arranged in the order of ripening,
would furnish a continuous supply of fresh fruit from the first of
August to the middle of September: Opata, Cree or Oziya, Sapa,
Compass, “Seedling No. 5” or “Seedling No. 2,” “S. P. I. No.

NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS FIELD STATION, 1913-1922 21

36607,” Redwing or Waneta, Richard, Wolf, Sansoto or Cheresoto,
Wyant or Teton, and Emerald. Most of the varieties in this lst
are hardy, but a few of the better quality, semihardy varieties of
different types are included for the sake of variety and change.

PEACHES AND APRICOTS

These fruits have been tested on a small scale, but no hardy
variety has been found. They should not be planted, except,
possibly, where they are given special attention and the trees irrigated
and covered with soil during the winter. A number of Chinese
apricot and Chinese peach seedlings have proved semihardy and
reached a bearing age, but their fruit is of no value.

CHERRIES

The common varieties of sour cherries, such as Montmorency»
Early Richmond, Wragg, Ostheim, and Dyehouse, have been tested
and found not hardy at Mandan.

In 1916, 25 trees, including 5 varieties, were planted, but only 10
were alive in 1920. Of nearly 40 sour-cherry trees planted at the
field station, only 5 are alive. The oldest of these were planted in
1918. None have borne fruit.

By proper protection and careful attention, it has been found
possible occasionally to raise sour-cherry trees to a bearing age on
the northern plains. This has been done in a number of cases, but
the general planting of cherries can not be recommended.

SAND CHERRIES

Sand cherries are found native throughout a large part of the
northern plains. They are drought-resistant, hardy, prolific, and
early bearers. Sioux, Tomahawk, and “Hansen No. 5” are the
only varieties that have been tested for a series of years. Of the
three, the Sioux is by far the best in quality, although not as large
as “Hansen No. 5,” or as prolific as Tomahawk. The Sioux is
worthy of more extensive planting. Few, if any, fruits are as reliable
on the northern plains, and sand cherries ripen when most other
fruits are still green.

JUNEBERRIES

Success is the only variety that has been tested, and this is well
worth planting in the dry-land fruit garden. The bush is hardy and
generally a prolific bearer. The fruit is of good size and quality and
very early as compared to most fruits. Success, however, is not as
early as some of the native Juneberry selections.

GRAPES

Common varieties of grapes have failed to grow and produce fruit,
even when covered with soil during the winter. Fifty-six vines,
representing 15 varieties, were planted in 1913, but in 1914 only 7
remained, and these were discarded. A new variety test of 206
vines, including 30 varieties, was started in 1914. Only 93 of these
vines survived the first winter, although covered with soil, and only
4 vines were alive at the end of the third winter. A third test was
started in 1918 when 66 vines, representing 14 varieties, were planted
in a protected place between rows of evergreens. These were covered
with soil in November, but the 8 vines that survived the first winter
were in such poor condition that they were discarded.

22 BULLETIN 1301, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Varieties which failed in the above test include Hungarian, Dakota,
Monitor, Suelter, Beta, Janesville, Moore, Worden, Concord, Camp-
bell, Niagara, Delaware, Agawam, Clinton, Elvira, Martha, Brighton,
Lindley, ‘‘Robert’s Wild White,’ Alvado, Bacchus, Berckmanns,
Elvibach, Etta, Faith, Grein Golden, Missouri, Riesling, and Presley.

The only partial success with grapes was obtained in the combina-
tion fruit patch planted in 1918, where 5 vines each of Alpha, Beta,
Hungarian, Monitor, ‘‘Robert’s Wild White,’ and Suelter were
planted 8 feet from a row of plums on one side and 8 feet from a row
of apples on the other. An addition of 5 Concord, 3 Beta, and 1
Worden was made in 1919; and 6 vines of Beta in 1922. Of these,
3 Alpha, 4 Beta (1918 planting), 5 Monitor, 4 “‘ Robert’s Wild White,”
4 Suelter, 1 Concord, and 6 Beta (1920 planting) were alive in the

fall of 1922. All of these varieties produced some fruit in 1922.
- Concord is too late to be of value. The quality of the other varieties
is poor, but better than the average native grape.

Considering the many failures, it seems that none of the varieties
tested can be recommended for general planting under dry-land
conditions on the northern plains.

CURRANTS

Of all fruits tested at Mandan, currants are among the most
reliable bearers. They are fairly drought-resistant, and generally
hardy without winter protection. Nine varieties of red currants
were under trial for the eight years 1915-1922. The yields varied
from complete failures in some years to more than 344 quarts to the
plant (for North Star) in 1918. Yields of more than 2 quarts to the
plant were not uncommon in favorable years. London Market and
North Star are the most prolific of the varieties tested. London
Market is the most dependable, but North Star yields better in
especially favorable years. The average yields of the varieties
tested for the eight years are given in Table 12.

Four varieties of black currants (Ribes nigrum), Naples, Victoria,
Champion, and Lee, were grown for three years. None of these
varieties yielded as heavily or bore as consistently as the best red
varieties, and therefore their culture is not recommended. The
Kuropean black currant (Ribes nigrum) is the most susceptible and
dangerous host of white-pine blister rust and its propagation and .
culture should be entirely abandoned.

Varieties, such as Crandall, originated by selection from the
native flowering currant (Ribes odoratum) do very well and are
consistent bearers, even in dry years. Some promising selections
have been made at the station and are being tested. It is likely
that they will yield as well or better than the best red varieties.

TABLE 12.—Varieties of red currants and their average yield per bush, as tested
at the Northern Great Plains Field Station for eight years, 1915-1922, inclusive

|
| Yield

; Pa Yield

Variety (quarts) Variety (quarts)
INOLbDUS tarteweses Ser = Raed yt eth 1.28 a(R ayes ese sae oO. yal a ee 0. 43
WondoneViark Chasen. S. she ee ee | 1. OO M@Her yas as eo ee a ee . 20
ECR ROSS Bees Sere a ss EES . 12 \|\pChautauquas= 26. . as tie eee . 04
IRON OMS eee ees ee Se ee » 68uePerfection «+ 2% - ee eae eee 05
FCO MIO ILC ht er ences tenes ne ems ete et . 65 |

NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS FIELD STATION, 1913-1922 23

GOOSEBERRIES

This fruit has not yielded as consistently as currants, nor has it
generally been as hardy or long-lived; still gooseberries have their
place, and fairly good crops have been produced in favorable years.
Plants in the variety tests generally have been grown without winter
protection, but all varieties have suffered more or less injury in
severe winters, and some have winterkilled badly.

The first variety test was started in 1913 with two plants of Mel-
ford and 10 plants each of Houghton, Downing, Carrie, and Josselyn.
Carrie and Houghton gave the best results, producing a light crop
in 1915, and about 1 quart to the bush in 1916. All varieties suffered
severely during the winter of 1916-17 and were discarded in the
summer of 1917.

In 1914 another test was started which included 20 plants each of
Houghton, Josselyn, Downing, Carrie, Champion, Transparent, and
Industry. Houghton produced a few berries in 1915, and more than
a quart to the bush in 1916. ‘Transparent and Carrie were the next
best producers in 1916. Downing and Carrie were the best yielders
in 1917, the former producing almost a quart to the bush. Winter
injury was severe in 1917-18, and the 1918 crop was a failure.
Josselyn, Carrie, and Champion each yielded about a quart to the
bush in 1919. All varieties in this test were practically dead in 1920
and were discarded. The average yields to the bush for the four
best varieties for the four years from 1916 to 1919, inclusive, were
approximately as follows: Carrie, 0.56 quart; Transparent, 0.50
quart; Houghton, 0.48 quart; and Downing, 0.46 quart.

A third test, including 9 varieties, was started in 1918, but all
varieties in this planting have been discarded except the Van Fleet,
which produced a light crop in 1919, more than 1 quart to the bush
in 1920, and 414 quarts to the bush in 1922. The fruit of all varieties
was scalded by hot winds in the summer of 1921. Carrie goose-
berries planted at a considerable distance from the Van Fleet test in
the same year (1918) produced 2 quarts to the bush in 1922, or less
than half as much as the Van Fleet.

In general, Carrie, Transparent, Houghton, and Van Fleet have
ranked among the hardiest varieties and most consistent yielders.
The fruit of the Van Fleet is the largest and best of the four.

RASPBERRIES

This fruit does not thrive without irrigation in the dry climate of
the northern plains. Prolonged droughts in May and June, when
the fruit is forming, often cause complete failures. Fairly satis-
factory yields were obtained at the field station in 1916 and in 1922,
but the crop was a failure in other years.

With the exception of a native black raspberry, which is semihardy
without protection, all varieties require winter protection. This is
Enerally afforded by laying the canes down and covering them with
soil.

The first variety test was started in 1913, but there is no record
of this test after 1915, up to which time no fruit of any consequence
had been produced.

Another more extensive test was started in 1914 and continued
until 1920, when the varieties had become so badly mixed by sucker-

poe! - ies

24 BULLETIN 1301, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

ing that the planting was discarded. The only crop worth harvesting
was produced in 1916, the best varieties yielding more than a quart
to the plant.

A third test was started in 1921. To reduce mixing through sucker-
ing, the varieties were planted in blocks instead of in rows. This
planting produced a fair crop in 1922, although yields ran con-
siderably less than a quart to the plant.

Red varieties in this trial included Cuthbert, Eaton, Empire, Her-
bert, Minnetonka, King, Latham, Loudon, Marlboro, Miller, ‘“‘ Minne-
sota No. 1,’ Perfection, Ranere (St. Regis), Sarah, Sunbeam, and
Welch. The four of these varieties that appear to be among the
most promising are Loudon, King, Latham, and Sunbeam. The last
is rather small, but is drought resistant and shows up well in a dry
year. Latham is superior in size and quality but is not as prolific as
Loudon or King.

Black and purple varieties tested include Cardinal, Cumberland,
Gregg, Kansas, Royal Purple, and Tye. Cardinal and Cumberland
have given the best results, the former producing more than a quart
to the bush in 1916. Black raspberries generally have not been as
prolific as the red ones, and they are more difficult to handle.

BLACKBERRIES AND DEWBERRIES

Varieties of blackberries tested include Ancient Briton, Eldorado,
Green, Rathbun, Snyder, Stone, Star (or Wonder), La Grange, and
Joy. No stand of the last three varieties resulted. Blackberries
were handled in the same way as raspberries, but none of the varieties
proved hardy, and none produced fruit of any consequence.

Lucretia was the only dewhberry tested. It was not hardy and
failed to produce fruit.

The results indicate that blackberries and dewberries should not
be planted on the northern plains, at least not under dry-land con-
ditions.

STRAWBERRIES

Strawberries have been unreliable and generally poor yielders at
the field station. Moisture is perhaps the chief limiting factor, as
most varieties come through the winter without severe injury if pro-
tected with a good straw mulch.

The varieties tested include Dunlap, South Dakota, Warfield,
LaBon, Trebla, Americus, Haverland, Bederarena, Progressive,
William Belt, Minnesota, Minnehaha, Easypicker, Duluth, and a
number of Minnesota and Ettersburg numbered selections. Dunla
Easypicker, and South Dakota have been the most reliable of the
June-bearing varieties, while Duluth (Minnesota No. 1017) has been
the best ever-bearing variety.

The results with strawberries indicate that planting should be
limited unless there are some facilities for irrigating.

CULTURAL TESTS

After the hardiest varieties of fruits have been selected, one must
know how to grow them and the cultural methods best adapted to
the severe climatic conditions of the plains. Serious attention has
been given to cultural problems, but it is rather difficult to obtain
comparable results by the usual plat methods, owing to the difficulty

NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS FIELD STATION, 1913—1922

of obtaining a good stand of fruit trees and the tendency of a large
number of trees to die during the first few years of the experiment.
This interferes with the uniformity of the plats and increases the
probable error of results. Replacements are not satisfactory, as
they can not be compared accurately with the older trees.

CLEAN CULTIVATION, COVER CROPS, MULCHING, AND MANURING

A detailed cultural test involving 44 field plats was started in
1916 to study the effects of clean cultivation, cover crops, mulching
with straw, and manuring on the hardiness of different kinds of
plants. Clean-cultivated plats are worked often enough to keep
them free from weeds. Plats growing a cover crop are given clean
cultivation until about July 1, when oats are sown. Frequently the
oats have been killed by frost before making a very good growth.
Mulched plats are given clean cultivation throughout the summer
and covered with straw to a depth of about 1 foot late in November.
The mulch is allowed to remain until spring. Manured plats receive
an application of well-rotted manure as a top-dressing every two years,
each application being at the rate of about 20 tons to the acre.

Five classes of plants were included in this experiment: Plums,
deciduous shelter-belt or forest trees, apples, ornamental shrubs, and
herbaceous perennial flowering plants. The different treatments
were duplicated for each class of plants. Owing to poor stands and
other reasons, all have been discarded except the eight plats of plums.
Results with apples and plums only will be reported here.

The work ah apples included 16 plats. In eight plats they were
on hardy Siberian crab roots, and in the other eight plats they were
worked on the common French crab roots. The varieties used were
Virginia, Hibernal, Oldenburg (Duchess), Patten, Longfield, North-
western Greening, Malinda, Grimes Golden, McIntosh, Winesap,
and Northern Spy. But few apples on the French crab roots
remained alive in 1918, so these eight plats were discarded in that year.

TaBLE 13.—Survival of apples on tender and on hardy roots at the Northern Great
Plains Field Station under different cultural treatments

| On French crab On Siberian crab
| root

roots roots
Treatment | | |

| Planted Alive | Planted Alive

| in 1916 in 1918 | in 1916 in 1920
GEAMECHIGRV ALON ee eets ee eee eo 48 2 48 28
OLS sh see ee eee EE ae ne en. Sno 48 16 | 48 35
(COW GIP GIOVE a es ans ee Se ea eI oe =e 48 2 48 31
MUSWATTINO OE ee ee IS Se ie gn we A ee a 48 4 48 24

More satisfactory results were obtained in the blocks with apples
on hardy roots, but even here stands became so poor that these
blocks were discarded in 1920. The number of trees planted and
the number remaining under each treatment when the experiment
closed are given in Table 13.

The best survival was on the mulched plats. The difference was
especially marked in the apples on the tender French crab roots.

26 BULLETIN 1301, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Observations on the individual trees show that mulching tended to
increase winter resistance. The least winterkilling and injury were
recorded on the mulched plats, and the greatest on those receiving
clean cultivation, but the differences were not great where the apples
were on hardy roots. The poorest survival of apples on hardy roots
was in the manured plat.

Good stands of plums still remain in this experiment, and good
crops are being produced. ‘The effects of the different cultural treat-
ments have not been marked; but, in general, trees in the mulched
plats have been hardier than those of the same variety in other plats,
and trees in the manured plats have suffered the greatest winter
injury. ‘Trees in plats growing a cover crop have averaged slightly
hardier than trees growing in clean-cultivated plats.

The effects of the different cultural treatments on the yield and
quality of fruit have not been marked. Manuring usually has
resulted in a little better and larger fruit, but in slightly lower yields
than other treatments. Mulching has given comparatively good
yields and a good grade of fruit. There is but little difference in the
results from clean cultivation and from a cover crop, but of late
years there has been little difference in the treatments, as the cover
crop has made small growth between the closely planted plums.

over crops have been used in other plantings at the field station,
and observations indicate that they were of value at times in checking
soil blowing and in holding snow. ‘The results in most cases have
not been very marked, and at present there are not enough experi-
mental data to warrant recommendations. The evidence indicates
that the desirability of growing a cover crop will depend largely on
the season and the soil.

SPACING OF FRUIT TREES AND PLANTING SYSTEMS

Opinions vary as to what is the best spacing for fruit trees on the
northern plains. Some advocate very wide spacing, because of the
limited moisture. Others advocate close spacing in hedgerows or
groups, for the sake of holding more snow and giving mutual pro-
tection. There are not sufficient experimental data yet to justify
recommendations. Most of the apples at the field station have been
panies in the square or rectangular system, from 15 to 20 feet apart.

lums generally have been planted from 12 to 15 feet apart.

In one planting rows of tree fruits were spaced 16 feet apart, with

the trees 4 to 6 feet in the row. Small fruits were planted between
the rows of tree fruits, making the rows 8 feet apart. In another
planting the rows were spaced 12 feet, with the trees 4 to 6 feet in
the row. It is rather difficult to compare the results of these plant-
ings with those obtained by regular spacing, owing to differences in
the ages of the plantings, varieties, and soil.

Better stands generally have been established, and the trees have
suffered less winter injury during the first few years under the system
of close planting, where more snow was held during the winter, and
the trees received the benefit of mutual protection. Pears, apples of
the Delicious variety, and a few sour cherries, in the close-planting
demonstrations, suffered practically no injury in the winters of
1920-21 and 1921-22. In former years such tender fruits were
seriously damaged when planted by a system of wide spacing. But

vee

wil aie heed ier)

NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS FIELD STATION, 1913-1922 27

those two winters were unusually mild, so accurate comparisons can
not be made.

In order to compare more accurately several planting systems, 7
experimental blocks of equal area were planted in 1921, the same
varieties of apples and plums being used in all blocks. In blocks 1
and 5 plums are in rows 15 feet apart with the trees spaced 6 feet in
the row, and apples are in rows 20 feet apart with the trees 6 feet
in the row. In blocks 2 and 6 plums are spaced 15 feet square and
apis 15 by 20 feet. In blocks 3 and 7 plums are planted in groups
of four with the groups spaced 15 by 20 feet, and apples in groups of
four with the groups spaced 20 by 20 feet. The four trees in each
group are spaced about 214 feet apart. In block 4 plums and apples
are planted in the hexagonal system, the plums 12 feet and the
apples 1614 feet apart. Standard varieties of known hardiness were
used in this experiment. Apples are on the hardy Pyrus baccata
roots, crabs on their own roots, and the plums on Prunus Americana
roots. Notes will be taken to show the effects of the different plant-
ing systems on winter injury, growth, yields, quality of fruit, and the
longevity of the trees. Good stands were obtained, except with one
plum variety. ,

TREE FORM AND PRUNING

An experiment was started in 1915 with several sand cherry—plum
hybrids to compare the results with these fruits grown in tree form
and in bush form. Observations indicate that the bush form is the
more satisfactory. These hybrids naturally grow in bush form.

No definite experiment has been carried out to compare high-
headed and low-headed trees, but observations made on many trees
indicate that low heading is the more desirable. Whether the tree
should branch at the surface of the ground and grow in bush form or
whether the lowest branches should be from 6 to 18 inches from the
ground remains to be determined.

But little experimental work in pruning has been attempted, very
light pruning generally having been employed with all tree fruits.
Small fruits have been pruned in the standard way.

A few Opata and Sansoto plums planted in 1914 were pruned
lightly, moderately, and severely in the autumns of 1920 and 1921.
Both moderate and severe pruning reduced yields the following years,
although the grade and size of the fruit were somewhat improved.
As far as could be seen, the pruning had no effect on hardiness.
Karly results are decidedly in favor of the light pruning on account
of the heavier yields.

To get more information on pruning and its relation to hardiness
and fruit bearing six blocks of fruit trees were planted in 1921. Two
blocks receive very light pruning, the trees being allowed to grow
naturally except for removal of dead and broken limbs. Two blocks
receive moderate pruning. In these blocks an attempt is made to
select the main limbs and shape the tree. Further pruning consists
of a light thinning out of the superfluous limbs to admit light and
the removal of dead, broken, or interfering limbs. The trees in the
other two blocks are pruned severely. They are treated the same as
the moderately pruned trees except that thinning out of superfluous
branches is a little more severe and part of the annual growth is

28 BULLETIN 1301, U. S.. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

headed back each year. All pruning in these blocks is done before
the trees start growth in the spring.

Varieties used in the pruning experiment are Whitney and Lyman
crabs; Wealthy and Hibernal apples; and Wyant, Wolf, Waneta,
Cheney, Opata, and Compass plums. Good stands of all varieties
were obtained.

WINTER PROTECTION

Winter protection of some kind is essential to the growth of certain
fruits on the northern plains. In other cases it may be desirable for
a few years until the plants become established. Protection against
mice and rabbits is generally necessary.

Mulching with straw or old manure is the most common form of
winter protection that has been employed at the station. Straw
mulching of apples and plums has been considered. A common

ractice has been to protect such tender fruits as pears and cherries
ie piling straw or old manure around the trunks of the trees, and
experience indicates that winterkillng may be materially reduced in
this way. A straw mulch from 6 to 8 inches thick has been found
satisfactory for strawberries.

Protection can also be obtained by covering the plants with soil.
This method has been found most satisfactory for raspberries, which
commonly kill down to the surface of the ground if not protected.
Grapes also have been brought through the winter in this way while
unprotected vines were killed, but sometimes they have winterkilled
even when covered with soil. Gooseberries and currants generally
are able to survive the winter without such protection, although some
varieties of gooseberries need covering. In the winter of 1914-15
covered gooseberries came through in good condition, while unpro-
tected bushes were severely damaged. In general, however, unpro-
tected gooseberries have yielded as well or almost as well as protected
ones; if the hardier varieties are chosen, covering should not be
necessary. Even tender varieties of trees bent over and covered
with soil pass the winter without serious injury. Of course, such
see protection with trees would be practicable only on a small
scale.

Whitewash is being tested as a means of winter and early-spring
protection. Whitewashed twigs heat up less during the warm sunny
days of late winter and early spring, and as a-consequence the dormant
bce is prolonged and the danger from late spring frosts is lessened.

t may also lessen desiccation (drying out) of the twigs during the
winter, which may be responsible for much winterkilling. Every
third row in the pruning experiment is whitewashed, but it is too
early to draw conclusions.

Protection from rabbits and mice generally has been accomplished
with wood-veneer wrappers, tree paints, or poisoning. When the
trees are grown in bush form it is difficult to protect by wrapping or
painting, and poisoning has been found the most practicable method.

STOCKS AND TOP-WORKING

Hardy stocks are just as important as hardy varieties. Conse-
quently, testing of different stocks for fruit trees has been an im-
portant line of work.

Apples have been tested on Pyrus baccata, French crab, Vermont
crab, Paradise, Doucin, Malus coronaria, Crataegus mollis, Yankton

NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS FIELD STATION, 1913-1922 29

crab, and Minnesota crab seedlings. Of these, Pyrus baccata seems
to be the most desirable. It is hardy and most apples readily form
good union with it. Neither the common French crab nor the dwarf
stocks, Paradise and Doucin, seem to be hardy on the northern
Plains. Apples generally have not made good unions with Crataegus
mollis or Malus coronaria, and stands from grafting or budding on
these stocks have been poor.

Plums also have been grown on a number of different stocks,
but the hardy native plum and sand cherry seem to be the only stocks
that merit consideration. Both of these stocks are somewhat
dwarfing in their effect. The sand cherry is especially noted for
this, but plums on sand-cherry roots at the field station have generally
grown as vigorously as or more vigorously than those on native
plum roots. Observations indicate that trees on sand-cherry roots
are sometimes more prolific than trees of the same variety on plum
roots, but the grade of the fruit has often been superior on the plum
roots. Suckering is more troublesome with sand-cherry roots, but
with them there is no occasion to be in doubt whether a shoot is
from the stock or scion. Both stocks are easy to grow, and both
make good unions with the common varieties of plums grown on
the northern Plains. They have been about equally satisfactory in
the sandy loam soil at the field station.

Cherries have been budded on Prunus pennsylvanica, P. besseyi,
P. virginiana, P. americana, and Amygdalus davidiana, but poor
stands resulted, and none of the cherries lived for any length of time
on any of these stocks. The ordinary stocks used for cherries are
not hardy at Mandan, so no satisfactory stock for cherries has been
found. However, hardy varieties of cherries have been lacking to
test on the above stocks, so the stocks themselves should not be
too severely condemned. It can only be said that the stands were
poor on all stocks tried and that no stock has been tested which
was satisfactory for the ordinary varieties of sour cherries.

Pears have been tested to a limited extent on Crataegus, Japan
pear, Juneberry, mountain ash, Pyrus baccata, and pear seedlings.
The stands have been poor and the scions generally winterkilled
before the trees became established in the field. Pear scions tend
to outgrow Crataegus and June-berry stocks, thus forming poor unions
and top-heavy trees.

Top-working has not been successful, poor stands being the rule.
Several attempts have been made to top-work the hardier varieties
of apples with less hardy varieties of desirable quality, but these
attempts have failed.

A few pears are now growing which were top-worked on June-berries
= 1918, but the unions are generally poor. They have not produced
ruit.

SITES AND LOCATIONS FOR ORCHARDS

Most of the orchard plantings at the field station are located on
comparatively high, fairly level ground sloping toward the north and
overlooking the valley of the Heart River. The air drainage is
excellent, and sometimes fruit is produced when frost destroys the
crops in the lower valleys.

esides the plantings on this bench, three other special plantings
have been made, one known as the hillside orchard and the other two

80 BULLETIN 1301, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

called coulee orchards. The hillside orchard occupies a north slope
of a morainal hill on one of the highest and most exposed sites at tee
field station. Heavier soil is found here than in any other of the
station orchards. The contour system of planting is used, the trees
being placed in the center of plowed strips 20 feet wide which alter-
nate with sod strips 30 feet wide. It was thought that excess rainfall
would run off the sod strips and accumulate in the plowed land, thus
increasing the water supplied to the trees. Seven rows of apples and
crab apples were planted in 1915 and 1916.

In general, treesin the hillside orchard have given poorer results than
trees of the same variety planted in the orchards with more protection.
Most of the trees are now dead, and nearly all the others lack thrift
and show the effects of the severe exposure. Very little fruit has been
produced, and the orchard is practically a faijure.

The coulee orchards were both planted in the spring of 1920, the
trees for the most part being common varieties of apples and plums,
and the purpose being to note the growth and productivity of the
trees in the more or less protected coulees compared to trees of the
same variety growing on the more exposed bench land. Growth in
the coulees has been quite vigorous, and some of the sand cherry—
plum hybrids have already produced excellent fruit. However, it is
too early to draw conclusions as to the value of coulee planting. At _
present it seems to be very promising.

In this connection, a Wealthy seedling orchard planted in 1916
may be mentioned. A small coulee passes guek the center of
this orchard, and the stands in this coulee are good, whereas winter-
killing has been very severe on the higher ground. ‘The trees in the
coulee are also larger and growing more vigorously.

FRUIT BREEDING

Variety testing and cultura] experiments have their places in the
development of fruit growing on the northern plains, but it is doubt-
ful whether either line of work is of such fundamental importance as
fruit breeding. Hardier varieties of all kinds of fruits are needed to
build up a more successful northern Great Plains pomology. Much
B to be looked for in the improvement of some of the hardy native
ruits.

The following three methods of fruit improvement usually have
been attempted at the field station: (1) Selection from seedlings, where
only one or neither of the parents is known; (2) crossing by hand or
with bees in the field; and (3) crossing under glass by hand.

The first method is the one most extensively used. A large
number of seedlings of the different wild fruits are grown for selection
purposes, and to study the tendency of the species to vary and break
up into different types when grown under cultivation. This method
has also been extensively used in growing seedlings of standard
varieties of fruits, especially in cases where there seemed to be good
opportunity for extensive natural crossing between desirable varieties.
Some promising selections have been made from such seedlings.

The second method, crossing by hand or with bees in the field, has
been attempted in a limited way. It was planned to grow in groups
two varieties which were to be crossed, two trees of each variety in a
group. ‘The groups were to be covered with netting at blooming
time and bees introduced to perform the crossing. Thus, all fruits

NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS FIELD STATION, 1913-1922 oe

would be crosses if the varieties were self-sterile, and about half
would probably be crosses if the varieties were self-fertile. This
- method was not found practicable, however, as poor stands were
obtained, and tender varieties died. There would also probably be
some difficulty in handling the bees.

Crossing by hand in the field has been carried on in a limited way,
but there is generally so much other work to do when it must be done
that little time is available for doing it.

By far the greater part of the hand-crossing here has been done
under glass in the greenhouse. Several hundred trees are growing in
pots and tubs, and these are moved from their winter quarters in the
root cellar to the greenhouse early in February. Most of the crossing
is done in March, and the trees are kept in the greenhouse until the
fruit is harvested. In this way it is possible to grow many varieties
for breeding work that would not endure the climate outside.

Breeding work has been carried on with a number of different fruits,
but apples and plums have received the most attention. In addition
to these two fruits, work is now being carried on with cherries, grapes,
and small fruits.

In the following paragraphs the character of the breeding or selec-
tion work that has been done with each of the fruits is briefly outlined:

Almonds.—A few almonds were grown in pots, and an attempt was made to
cross them with Amygdalus nana, Prunus tomentosa, and P. besseyi. No fruits were
obtained. Almonds have been discarded.

Apples.—A large number of Wealthy and other apple and crab-apple seedlings
have been planted in the testing blocks for selection purposes. Some of the
Wealthy seedlings have started to bear, and most of these have decided crab-apple
characteristics. A few selections have been made for further trial. Seedlings
of a number of species of Pyrus and Malus are also being grown for selection
purposes. A large part of the hand-crossing work with fruits has been with
apples and crab apples. About 50 different varieties have been used. Pyrus
baccata has been used to a large extent as a hardy parent. None of the seedlings
have yet borne fruit.

Apricots—Chinese and Russian apricot seedlings have been grown in the
seedling-selection blocks and some selections for ornamental purposes made.
They bloom very early and are liable to be damaged by frost. The trees are semi-
hardy. Some of the common varieties of apricots were potted and crossed with
the Chinese apricot (Prunus armeniaca) and the P. americana varieties of
plums. But few seeds were produced from these crosses, and none of the seed-
lings has borne fruit. No further breeding work is being done with apricots.

Blackberries and dewberries—A few plants were potted, but no crosses were
obtained. The potted plants have been discarded.

Buffalo berries—Several thousand buffalo-berry seedlings have been set out
for selection purposes. Variation has not been marked, and no selections have
been made. Some apparently thornless buffaloberries were located in the wild
in 1916, dug up, and transplanted to the station grounds. These plants failed
to live, however, and no further effort has been made to locate thornless buffalo
berries. There is some doubt as to whether these thornless specimens were
Lepargyrea argentea or L. canadensis. A few buffalo berries were potted for inside
crossing, but no seeds were obtained by this method. These trees have been
destroyed.

Cherries.—Sour and sweet varieties of cherries have been potted, and attempts
have been made to cross them with pin cherries, sand cherries, Prunus tomentosa,
chokecherries, and P. maacki. Crosses have not been secured from the last two
fruits. Plants obtained from the other combinations have not yet reached a
bearing age.

Several hundred Prunus pennsylvanica seedlings have borne fruit, but although
some show marked variation none have appeared good enough to be worthy of
propagation.

Several thousand Prunus besseyi seedlings have been grown, and this hardy
native fruit shows a very decided response to cultivatic .. Variations in the

32 BULLETIN 1301, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

flavor and size of fruit are marked, and a number of selections have been made
for further testing.

About 38 Prunus tomentosa seedlings set out for testing in 1918 fruited in 1922.
There was a wide variation in the size, flavor, and texture of the fruit on different
bushes, and this fruit appears promising for breeding work. The bushes, however,
are not entirely hardy in severe winters.

Several thousand chokecherry seedlings are now producing fruit. There is
considerable variation in the time of ripening, and in the size, color, and flavor
of the fruit, but none seem to be ‘‘chokeless,’”’ although some are much better
than others in this respect. None of the seedlings have yet been propagated.

Seedlings of Prunus maacki have been grown to a limited extent, but this species
appears to be valueless so far as fruit is concerned. The limbs are brittle and
break badly, but the trees are very beautiful when in bloom.

Crataegus.—Seedlings of several species of Crataegus are growing at the station,
but as yet none of the seedlings have appeared to be of any special value. At-
tempts have been made to cross Crataegus mollis with pears, Aronia species, and
Juneberries, but these have failed.

Currants.—Seedlings of several common varieties of red currants and also
seedlings of the native flowering currant of the Missouri Valley (Ribes odoratum)
have been grown for selection purposes. Several selections of the red and about
25 selections of the flowering currant have been made and are being propagated
for further testing. Some of the latter selections appear to be of value for the
northern plains, as they are hardy and drought resistant, producing crops when
most fruits fail. A few currants have been potted and some hand-crossing done,
but without success.

Filberts and hazelnuts ——A few filberts and hazelnuts were potted for crossing
work, but none of the potted trees lived to bearing age. A number of native
hazelnuts have been planted, but stands have been poor and only a few are alive.
These have not borne fruit.

Gooseberries.—Several thousand gooseberry seedlings have been grown for
selection purposes, the seeds being obtained both from standard varieties and
from native plants. Some seeds were obtained from groups where Houghton
was planted with Industry, Chautauqua, Smith, and Lancashire Lad, so it is
thought that some of these seedlings are crosses between Houghton and the varie-
ties named. About 35 selections have been made, partly from native species
and partly from seedlings of cultivated varieties. The best of these selections will
be propagated for further testing. Gooseberries were also grown in pots and
erossed by hand, but only a few seeds and no plants resulted from such work.

Grapes.—More than 10,000 seedlings of the native wild grape, and a few seed-
lings of cultivated varieties, have been grown. From these about 30 selections
have been made for further testing. However, none of the selections from the
wild grape appear very promising except as hardy material to cross with better
varieties. A few vines have been grown in pots for hand-crossing work, but no
seedlings have yet been obtained.

Highbush cranberries.—A few seedlings of Viburnum lentago and V. ameri-
canum are growing, but have not yet reached bearing age. No hand crossing
has been attempted with this fruit.

June berries—A large number of June-berry seedlings have been grown, and
considerable variation in time of ripening, size and quality of fruit, and size of
cluster has been observed. More than 200 selections have been made. It seems
that this is one of the more promising of the native fruits for breeding work.

June berries have also been grown in pots and crossed with pears, quinces,
Aronia species, Pyrus baccata, and Crataegus. Only a few seeds have been
produced, however, and none have germinated. The potted plants have been
discarded.

Peaches.—Several thousand Chinese peach seedlings have been grown, but
were discarded as worthless except for ornamental purposes. The flowers open
early and are likely to be killed by frost. The tree is semihardy. Amygdalus
davidiana, A. pedunculata, and commercial varieties of peaches have been grown
in pots and used for hand-crossing work. Some crosses made in 1917 between
A. davidiana and common varieties of peaches were successful, but the resulting
plants have not yet borne fruit. No other breeding work with peaches is being
done.

Pears.—Seedlings of Japanese pears and standard varieties have been grown,
but none were hardy, and all died before producing fruit. Pears in pots have been
erossed with Chinese sand pears, Juneberries, Pyrus baccata, and Aronia, but
only a few seeds have been produced, and none of the seeds germinated. Pear
breeding has been discontinued.

NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS FIELD STATION, 1913-1922 33

Pecans and hickory nuts.—A few pecan and hickory trees have been potted,
but no crosses were obtained, and the potted plants have been destroyed.

Plums.—More breeding work has been done with plums than any other fruit.
Thousands of seedlings have been grown from the wild native plum and from
cultivated varieties. A great deal of variation has been found within the Prunus
americana species, and more than 50 selections have been made, many of which
have been propagated and are undergoing a more thorough test to determine
their value. ;

Many varieties of plums have been potted for hand-crossing work. Hardy
P. americana and P. nigra varieties have been crossed or crosses attempted with
Japanese plums, P. stmoni, apricots, domestica plums, sand cherries, P. fomen-
tosa, and with such hybrid plums as Waneta and Sapa. A hardy little yellow
plum (S. P. I. No. 36607) has been crossed with Japanese plums. A few seed-
lings of known parentage have borne fruit, but as yet none seems to be of any
special value.

Ras pberries.—Seedlings of a number of cultivated varieties and of wild rasp-
berries have been grown in testing blocks, but with the exception of a few seed-
lings of the native black raspberry all have been discarded. None of the dis-
earded plants were hardy without winter protection, and none bore especially
good fruit. Raspberries have also been potted and crossed by hand, but no
seedlings have been obtained from such work. At present no breeding work is
being done with raspberries.

Strawberries.—Several hundred strawberry seedlings were grown from standard
varieties. Several selections have been made from these for further testing.
There has been no hand-crossing work with strawberries.

Walnuts —A few seedling black walnuts, and a few seedlings of Juglans mand-
schurica, have been grown, but no nuts have been produced. Several varieties
and species of Juglans were potted for breeding work, but were discarded before
reaching bearing age.

Cydonia.—Some attempts have been made to produce a hardy quince by cross-
ing standard varieties with Pyrus, Malus, and Crataegus species. No seeds
resulted, and quinces were discarded.

Elaeagnus.—Elaeagnus angustifolia and E. multiflora (EL. longipes) were grown
in pots and crossed with buffalo berries (Lepargyrea argentea), but no seeds were
obtained. These plants have been discarded.

Cornus.—Cornus siberica and C. stolonifera were grown in pots and crossed,
but no seeds were obtained. All Cornus plants have been discarded.

Aronia.—A few seedlings of Aronia melanocarpa were planted, but the fruit
was of no value. But little variation within the species was observed. A.
melanocarpa and A. arbutifolia were grown in pots and crossed with Amelanchier,
Cydonia, Crataegus, and Pyrus species, but no fruits were borne. Potted Aronia
plants have been discarded.

MISCELLANEOUS EXPERIMENTS IN HORTICULTURE

Nursery and seed-bed data, soil-moisture work, and horticultural
cooperators are included under this heading.

NURSERY AND SEED-BED DATA

A quantity of data has been accumulated on handling seeds and
srowing seedlings, particularly of the different native fruits. Many
notes have been taken regarding stands, growth, and hardiness in

the nursery.
SOIL-MOISTURE INVESTIGATIONS

Some soil-moisture work has been done to determine the depth
and the area of feeding of fruit trees, but without conclusive results.
Because it is impossible to pursue this work with the intensiveness
necessary to results, it has been discontinued for the time. The
water content of the soil in the different plats of apples in the
cultural experiment previously described was studied rather thor-
oughly. The only marked difference found was the greater dryness
in the fall of the plat growing a cover crop.

5381—25{,——3

34 BULLETIN 1301, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

HORTICULTURAL COOPERATORS

A limited number of fruit trees are being propagated for trial
by horticultural cooperators. About 1,000 plum trees, mostly on
sand-cherry roots, and about 300 apple and crab trees on P. baccata
roots were ready to send out in the spring of 1923. Varieties were
chosen which had given the best results at the field station.

Cooperators are chosen from those shelter-belt cooperators who
have established satisfactory shelter belts and who are particularly
interested in fruit growing. They must agree to care for the trees as
directed, and to submit yearly reports of the results. Land must also
be properly prepared. The regular square or rectangular system of
planting trees will beused. Bysuch cooperation, the more promising
fruit varieties will be thoroughly tested under widely varying con-
ditions; and, at the same time, the plantings will serve as demonstra-
tions which, if successful, should encourage growing of fruit for home
use on the northern plains.

ORNAMENTALS AND LANDSCAPE GARDENING

ORNAMENTALS

Under this class were included: (1) Deciduous and coniferous orna-
mental trees; (2) ornamental shrubs and vines; (3) hedges: (4) hardy
perennials; (5) annual flowers; and (6) hardy and tender bulbs.

DECIDUOUS AND CONIFEROUS TREES

A comparatively large number of tree species were grown in
nursery rows to ascertain their hardiness, usefulness, and general
adaptability for ornamental purposes. This experiment was begun
in 1913 and continued until 1919, after which date very little variety
testing was- undertaken and that was mostly with new plant intro-
ductions received from the office of Foreign Seed and Plant Intro-
duction. This work with tree species was supplementary to the
shelter-belt investigations and will not be treated in detail in this
report.

SHRUBS AND VINES

Testing ornamental shrubs and vines in nursery rows, in the
arboretum, in the ornamentation of the station grounds, and in
larger plantings, began when the station was started in 1913 and has
been continuous. More than half the shrubs planted have been
killed out or frozen back so severely and repeatedly as to indicate
that they are unsuited for this region.

The following is a list of the ornamental shrubs that survived three
or more years:

Artemisia sp. (S. P. I. No. 32237). Diervilla sessilifolia.

Berberis thunbergi. Elaeagnus angustifolia.

Caragana arborescens. Elaeagnus argentea.

Caragana spinosa. Euonymus alatus. —

Cornus siberica. Euonymus americanus.

Cornus stolonifera. Forsythia suspensa fortunei.
Cornus sanguinea. Halimodendron halodendron.
Corylus americana. Hydrangea paniculata grandiflora.
Cotoneaster sp. (C. acutifolia?). Lepargyrea argentea.

Crataegus crusgalli. Lepargyrea canadensis.

Crataegus pinnatifida. Ligustrum amurense.

.
.
|
|

Py Pee + eee

NORFHERN GREAT PLAINS FIELD STATION,

Lonicera chrysantha.
Lonicera floribunda.
Lonicera grandiflora rosea.
Lonicera morrowi.
Lonicera tatarica.
Lonicera tatarica alba.

-Lonicera tatarica rubra.

Opulaster opulifolius.
Opulaster opulifolius aureus.
Philadelphus coronarius.

Philadelphus coronarius grandiflorus.

Rhamnus cathartica.
Rhamnus frangula.

Rhus cotinus.

Rhus glabra.

Rhus hirta.

Rhus hirta laciniata.
Ribes alpinum.

Ribes aureum.

Rosa blanda.

Rosa domestica.

Rosa rugosa alba.

Rosa rugosa rubra.

Rosa sp. (Persian Yellow).
Sambucus aurea.
Sambucus nigra.
Sambucus nigra laciniata.
Sambucus racemosa.

1913—1922 35

Schizonotus sorbifolius.

Spiraea billardi.

Spiraea bumalda.

Spiraea bumalda var. Anthony Waterer.
Spiraea sp.

Spiraea rosea.

Spiraea salicifolia.

Spiraea thunbergi.

Spiraea tomentosa.

Spiraea vanhouttei.

Spiraea sp. (native).

Symphoricarpos sp.

Syringa amurensis (S. P. 1. No. 38828).
Syringa emodi.

Syringa japonica.

Syringa josikaea.

Syringa chinensis.

Syringa villosa.

Syringa vulgaris.

Syringa vulgaris alba.

Tamarix africana.

Tamarix pallasi (S. P. I. No. 34804).
Tameanixesps (os: c: UNowso2el ):
Viburnum dentatum.

Viburnum lentago.

Viburnum opulus.

Viburnum opulus sterile.

The following species of ornamental shrubs, tested at Mandan
during the period from 1913 to 1922, inclusive, did not survive as

long as three years:

Amorpha canescens.

Amorpha fruticosa.

Buddleia davidi superba.
Calycanthus floridus.
Calycanthus occidentalis.
Ceanothus americanus.

Celastrus sp. (S. P. I. No. 39736).
Chaenomeles (Cydonia) japonica.
Colutea arborescens.

Corylus avellana.

Cotoneaster ignava.

Cotoneaster simonsi.

Cytisus maderensis.

Deutzia (Pride of Rochester).
Deutzia gracilis.

Deutzia scabra candidissima.
Diervilla Eva Rathke.

‘Diervilla florida.

Exochorda racemosa.

Forsythia sp.

Hibiscus syriacus.

Hydrangea arborescens.
Hypericum moserianum.
Laburnum anagyroides.
aes obtusifolium wes {DUEL

7 There were fe successive rose tests.

Lonicera spinosa alberti.

Lonicera periclymenum belgica.

Lonicera sinensis.

Rhus copallina.

Ribes atrosanguineum.

Rosa multiflora japonica.

Rosa setigera.

Rosa sp., assorted hybrid perpetuals,
climbing roses, and Rugosa hybrids.’

Stephanandra incisa.

Symphoricarpos albus.

Symphoricarpos orbiculatus.

Syringa sp., assorted named
lilaes.8

Tamarix amurensis.

Tamarix gallica.

Tamarix indica.

Tamarix juniperina.

Tamarix odessana.

Taman sp. (S. Poi. No. 35261).

Viburnum acerifolium.

Viburnum lantana.

Viburnum opulus nanum.

Viburnum tomentosum.

oe eas. -castus.

hybrid

A number, with eae survived the first winter and

bloomed sparingly the second summer, but they were generally so weakened that only a very few were

alive the second spring, and were discarded.

§ This was eastern stock, and undoubtedly budded on privet. If on its own roots or on hardy stockis

Might prove more successful.

36 BULLETIN 1301, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Only a few species of vines were tested, and most of them proved
entirely hardy. Those included in the test were:

Clematis virginiana

Humulus sp.

Lonicera flava.

Lonicera sp. (killdeer honeysuckle).
Parthenocissus quinquefolia.
Parthenocissus quinquefolia engelmanni.

HEDGES

A number of kinds of trees and shrubs were set out in hedgerows
of various lengths 10 feet apart, 1 to 3 feet apart in the row. With
the exception of three, all were planted in 1915. Most of them are
still growing. The most successful ones were Spiraea, Syringa,
Lonicera, Elaeagnus, Rhamnus, and Acer. Two forms of hedges,
those sheared or trimmed and unsheared ones, were included.

The following is a list of the trees and shrubs planted in the sheared
hedgerows and still growing:

Common name Scientific name
atari nen lesa ae Acer tataricum.
BOxceld ers ser teree olet Acer negundo.

SOL Maal Cees eee yl eee Acer saccharinum.
(Crem |oeela no. ous ee _. Betula populifolia.
Siberian pea tree_______-_ Caragana arborescens.
ee Caragana spinosa.
Siberian dogwood ___-_--- Cornus siberica.

Cotoneaster sp.
— Crataegus pinnatifida.

RUSSIA Olivier se sess | = Elaeagnus angustifolia.
Green-ashe =. ae eee Fraxinus lanceolata.
Tatarian honeysuckle____ Lonicera tatarica.

Nome lon kene ee eae Opulaster opulifolius.
Goldleaf ninebark______- _ Opulaster opulifolius aureus.
Wocksoranges === s Philadelphus coronarius.
Chokeghernyess2= 225 se Prunus virginiana.
Bue ket no nner et Rhamnus cathartica.
Coldenrcurmanitiys 2 5 Ribes odoratum.
Sharpleaf willow _______- Salix acutifolia.

White wallow =e ee = 2 Salix alba.

Laurel-leaf willow ___-__- Salix pentandra.
Russian golden willow___ Salix vitellina aurea.
Diamond willow- -_--_-_-_-- Salix mackenzieana.
Goldentelders:2ae ss. 2. Sambucus aurea.
Rersiamelila cee =e Syringa persica.
lebionalenvain “Wbye 22) yay Syringa emodi.
Japanese tree lilac____-___ Syringa japonica.
ltingarianel tl ace oe Syringa josikaea.
atemhilacses ease tes Syringa villosa.
Uralstalse:spineames 85 =o Schizonotus sorbifolius.
AINEGIGA NEC Ie ee Ulmus americana.

High bush cranberry - ___- Viburnum opulus.

STM OW) alll tape ee eee ee oe Viburnum opulus sterile.

The following species were included in this test but proved to be
not adapted for trimmed hedges:

Common name Scientific name
Je sOCRIy age ee Amelanchier alnifolia.
Chinese peach_________ _ Amygdalus davidiana.
Red-osier dogwood ______ Cornus stolonifera.
Cotrouwoode easel = = Populus deltoides.

SMoOwberiye aes 2228 | Symphoricarpos sp.

NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS FIELD STATION, 1913-1922 3
Common barberry (Berbveris vulgaris) and the horticultural variety,
purple-leaved barberry (Berberis vulgaris atropurpurea), were 1n-
cluded in this test, but discarded because they are hosts for black
stem rust of wheat and the planting of them is legal in North
Dakota.
The following species were planted, and are still growing, in
untrimmed hedgerows:

Common name Scientific name

Dwarf pink spirea__-_-__-- Spiraea bumalda var. Anthony Waterer.
Garland @spirea-- = Spiraea arguta. -
Billard spirea —— 2 s— Spiraea billardi.
Bumatds spires s* 22> Spiraea bumalda.

Vanhoutte spirea ______- Spiraea vanhouttei.

Berberis thunbergi, Rosa rugosa alba, Rosa rugosa rubra, and Spiraea
callosa, were also included in this test, but did not prove successful.
HARDY PERENNIALS

A large number of species and varieties of hardy perennials were
tested in the period from 1913 to 1918, inclusive. Most of them
died within two or three years after planting, but a small number
did well, surviving the adverse conditions and blooming profusely
with but little care. The most dependable and_ successful ones
which survived three years or more were—

Common name Scientific name

LAN URC ses be ae a as Ue Achillea.

Coldensmarcuerites=— 825. se Anthemis.

Colarm ineese74 Sas oe hee ee a Aquilegia.

Wey end aisy= Seer a tie Chrysanthemum uliginosum.

Aye Tye Rem a lg Pt ype a Chrysanthemum roseum.

Wiemna tigers se pee rer e re e S Clematis.

Gilly ols beayaleye ee Es Convallaria.

1 LOE SS) 2 ecaiies alee nel 2 eos ee ass Delphinium.

leech emMent ia: eles fee SSF Dicentra.

Siberian meadowsweet_______+_____ Filipendula palmata. -

Ble he HOWE eer eS Gaillardia.

Pais -bLea yh: 2 pees Gypsophila.

Bremi@nicttlae sg. Weert Ss 8 Hemerocallis.

Genmanpiises 42805" oc 0 gre Iris germanica.

LDR GH AES SS caper Oe ae Tris pumila.

ECC silygere Crete pone s ge OS ee Lilium tigrinum.

Bectaingente etrnete at Sods SST Paeonia.

Heelamnehapop pipe Fn ee 5S eo Papaver nudicaule.

Oricnialspoppyss- Papaver orientale.

LEMS ss We eae ee ee Phlox.

Ghineserbellflowers.-. sieee sy = Platycodon.

apneCCrAShtCe fe see Fe Astilbe japonica

Other perennials tested but which were not successful were the
following:
Common name Scientific name Common name Scientific name
Bralivhoek =) :2<24. + Althaea. Rhoxploves ee 2s. Digitalis.
PRGA NGhe. <8" Anchusa. French honeysuckle_ Hedysarum.
New England aster_ Aster. Sunflower__________ Helianthus.
False indigo________ Baptisia. Heéliapsisisee<! sf .0s Helicpsis.
Fimeglish daisy _— ___~ Bellis. JA PAMESeRIRIS= = ahs = Iris kaempiferi.
Plume poppy______- Bocconia. Orientatirisy - 22)" Iris sanguinea.
False-camomile_____ Boltonia. Maltese Cross__.___ Lychnis.
Hardy chrysanthe- Chrysanthemum | Lupine___________- Lupinus.
mum. indicum. Assorted lilies______ Lilium.

Bellflower_- === _ _ Campanula. Beardtongue - - -_- -- Pentstemon.
epicced 260 Coreopsis. Grougndepink— —2 Phlox subulata.
pee bane=_ 55 - | Cimicifuga. Coneflower_______-_- Rudbeckia.

Sweet William_____ _ Dianthus.

38 BULLETIN 1301, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

ANNUAL FLOWERS

Included under annuals are a number of flowering plants, grown
from seed either sown indoors and later transplanted to the open, or
sown outdoors where grown. All were generally successful, blooming
profusely during their season. The following annual flowers have
been grown:

Common name Scientific name Common name Scientific name
ANOREVEAU OS se ee we Ageratum. Sweeb pea =. 22 aee2 Lathyrus.

A SOUT wena ek Se Alyssum. Lobelige >.> 2 5 4e Lobelia.
Snapdragone= = = Antirrhinum. Stocks. 29 Matthiola.
INS Pen Suu eas Aster. Flowering tobacco__ Nicotiana.
Rotimarigolds== = 2 Calendula. Li EOO IO Vie) = ee, Se cael Papaver.
Cockscombs ss tank Celosia. a OX see aA ae ee Phlox.
Dusty antler ase Centaurea. Petunia’ css «ae Petunia.

DORs Vere aes. Cineraria. ROSe MOss= 222s. a Portulaca.
French marguerite__ Chrysanthemum. | Mignonette_______- Reseda.
Cosmos: =a ae ea COsInos, Castor beans =s5..— Ricinus.
Afrieam daisy22===—= Dimorphotheca. Painted tongue____-_ Salpiglossis.
Ip rai eos 25 oie yeah 5" Dianthus. Mourning bride____ Scabiosa.
California poppy___ Eschscholtzia. Niaricoldias a ee Tagetes.
Annual blanket Gaillardia. Nasturtium S235 252" Tropaeolum.

flower. Pansy = 25) sae eae Viola.
Balsanie Sete ae es Impatiens. Vierbenad £22 ee Verbena.
Everlasting _____-_- Helichrysum. FANTINI Ee en aes Zinnia.
Mehotimope= aa. eases Heliotropium.

HARDY AND TENDER BULBS

The tulip, narcissus, gladiolus, and dahlia were included in this
class. Tulips have been. tested quite extensively and have proved
very successful and dependable, almost 100 per cent coming through
the winter alive and blooming profusely during early summer.
Both Holland bulbs and bulbs from the gardens of the Office of
Foreign Seed and Plant Introduction at Bellingham, Wash., were
tested, and all proved equally good. The most desirable class for
‘this locality were the Darwin and Cottage varieties. These bloom
so late in spring that they were seldom injured by frost. ‘The
narcissus varieties were planted only one year and were an absolute
failure. The varieties of gladiolus were very successful, blooming
well under ordinary field culture. Dahlia varieties tried out, bloomed
so late that most of the flower crop was caught by early frost and
the roots did not mature suffi.iently to keep over winter in storage.

LANDSCAPE GARDENING

A systematic effort has been made to develop the grounds of the
field station. In 1915 a considerable number of trees, shrubs,
perennials, and semiformal flower beds were planted, for the double
purpose of beautifying the station grounds and ascertaining the
value of the various plant species for this section of the country.
Numerous notes and observations have been made each year.
The plant material that has been tested in this manner may be
divided into the following groups: (1) Ornamental trees, both
deciduous and coniferous: (2) ornamental shrubbery ; (3) hardy
perennials ; and (4) bedding plants. Figure 4 gives a view of a
section of the grounds showing the results of ornamental plantings.

Yeon.

De ed ee

NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS FIELD STATION, 1913-1922 39

ORNAMENTAL TREES

A number of each of the following kinds of deciduous trees were
planted in groups of 6 to 10 or more, some in unit groups, and some
in combination with other species:

Common name Scientific name
Nomwey mie ple 2g ae ae Acer platanoides.
Cinmalarmapless = See ee Acer ginnala.
FEAL amian Mya esse ae SEINE So. ee _ Acer tataricum.
Softror silver maples vet Soe ss. bo < .. Sa Acer saccharinum.
Oxy CLC Cree ne A EEEOI, ERE Reso 2 2. Acer negundo. -
Berapean woe birch!) 22s 2. Oe eee Betula alba.
Graybineh ees NS oR BI B85 2 ee Betula populifolia.
HAGEL yas aa. haere ae ay ae Celtis occidentalis.
ulisstanrOllyerte ss. oe ny ae Elaeagnus angustifolia.
Coe SOE Oia a SO ei Ee Fraxinus lanceolata.
Blacke walnuts =O eo a Ay ee oN YN SY Juglans nigra.
ELOMWiOOd teers eae. eae Ostrya virginiana.
Silver poplars he pete TAS oh: sees Populus alba nivea.
omibardw. polars se 2 yen aa Populus nigra italica.
Northwest »poplare “25 s) ers aaa Populus sp.
[SUE CD Ce | oe A SE IRS | AW PSS obs Os oeeaneinee on LO Quercus macrocarpa.
Weeping willow (Niobe) 2222. _= 22221. Salix babylonica.
BASSO O Cette ae eee TS _ Tilia americana.
NIMeTICAMs ClIMe ater os BO: ae aii De Ulmus americana.
Evec ae Inia ie Fee Tear 5 Sis Ulmus thomasi.

Fic. 4—Ornamental plantings at the Northern Great Plains Field Station

The Quercus, Celtis, Ostrya, Juglans, and some of the Ulmus
species suffered severely from winter injury, and most of them died
the following spring. The rest, with the exception of Acer plata-
noides, which died after the second year, have made splendid growth
and apparently are doing well.

The following species or varieties were added in 1916 to the plant-
ings, and all have made good growth:

Common name Scientific name
‘EN THiS 370s yw eee lS ee Rk Be Prunus americana.
PeGMECH CRI Wa ee ae ee. ee Prunus pennsylvanica.
RNG Ke CHCTIg es Tk oe. ee, Prunus virginiana.
Nortnern, cobponwood= 2-12. See Populus monilifera.
Carona poplaree =e 2/16 2 | eee Populus sp.
INGiVaiysDODIAT pete te | a es Populus sp.
PERE LON pS ee eee a , Salix pentandra.
Russian colaen willow 22.2... See. Salix vitellina aurea.
Dmanee Asiatic elm) Ulnus pumila.

40) BULLETIN 1301, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Conifers were also planted in groups of 6 to 75 trees, some as
units and others in combinations. The unit groups have made
better growth, and make a better appearance. The following list
shows the species planted:

Common name Scientific name
Wihitespruces=02 ==... ae _ Picea glauca.
Black Hillsispruce: =.= — | eee Picea glauca (var.).
Coloradosbluesspruce!_-_._ Sees Picea pungens.
Mucho; pine: _- 2. =. ae Pinus montana mughus.
odgepolepines 2-3. ae Pinus contorta latifolia.
Western yellow pine_-___-—___-____ Pinus ponderosa.
Hceoveh_ pines ofan 7)! Pinus sylvestris.

All of the species of Picea are doing well, and a few of the trees of
Pinus ponderosa and P. sylvestris are growing, but only one P.
montana mughus and no P. contorta latifolia survived.

ORNAMENTAL SHRUBBERY

This group was by far the largest in both numbers and species.
The plantings on the whole were successful, making a good growth
from the start, but considerable replanting was necessary during
the first three years.

Notes and observations are made on the usefulness and ornamental
value of the different species and varieties. The following have
proved the hardiest and most successful as landscape subjects:

Common name Scientific name
Ginnalapmaples:. Sa Acer ginnala.
Japanese: banberry == 223. _ - = sae Berberis thunbergi.
Siberian pea tree________________ Caragana arborescens.
Siberian dogwood =_ =. — =o... eee Cornus siberica.
Red-osier doewood. 22) 2... aes Cornus stolonifera.
Cockspur-thorn_____ i255 - ee (Crataecus erusealhe
Dilyerberiyie =~ ee ee Elaeagnus argentea.
Tatarian honeysuckle____________ Lonicera tatarica.
INinebaricets cme fe ee Opulaster opulifolius.
Mockcorances- = 25. Sa Philadelphus grandifiorus.
Goldeacumantuy os. _.- aes Ribes odorratum.
IWaldiroses 2 Steere __. Rosa blanda.
Japanese rose______ 2 - SOSA, TUZOSat
SINGOLN Sumac se. 2 | ae Rhus hirta.
Buck horns. = a Rhamnus cathartica.
Billard spires." * > a Spiraea billardi.
Bumalda spirea---o-_. "eee Spiraea bumalda.
Garland!ispirea. 522%... ... =e Spiraea arguta.
Se SS Spiraea japonica fortunel.
Vanhoutie spires. 295 «ae Spiraea vanhouttei.
Ural false spires 32... .) age Schizonotus sorbifolius.
ungannadilace 2... Syringa josikaea.
Bersmniilsce 2 ee oo Syringa persica.
atedilacs 22 eee ei. aa Syringa villosa.
Common purple lilac... 228 Syringa vulgaris.
Common qwhite lilac. }- ee Syringa vulgaris alba.
Highbush:cranbermy = - -2- aaa Viburnum opulus.
Snow balla: a eee es, Viburnum opulus sterile.

HARDY PERENNIALS

The only hardy perennial that has proved entirely dependable
and successful is the peony. A large bed planted to German iris
winterkilled the first year, as did also a number of perennials grown
from seed planted in a long border. The failure was probably due
as much to drought as to winterkilling, however, and this group of
landscape-gardening plants is to be tested more thoroughly.

NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS FIELD STATION, 1913-1922 4]

BEDDING PLANTS

Several beds of the more favored type of flowers have been grown
on the station grounds. Cannas and geraniums have made up most
of the plant material used, with a few other species included. All
beds were very successful and repaid the extra care involved in this
phase of landScape work.

OLERICULTURE

In the average year on the northern Great Plains success with
vegetables appears to be more of a certainty than is the case with fruit.
Vegetable erowing will hardly become of commercial importance,
but the farmer and home gardener should be able to grow adequate
supplies for their own needs. The absence of farm cardens in this
region and the large quantities of fresh and canned veg etables : annually
shipped into the small towns would seem to indicate that vegetable
growing, like fruit growing, must be practiced along lines different
from those followed in more favored sections.

Experimental work with vegetables at this station has been directed
along three lines: (1) Varietal tests, to determine the varieties of
the different classes of vegetables best adapted to conditions; (2) vege-
table breeding, to improve the quality, production, or adaptation
of the most promising varieties; and (3) a l-acre rotation garden,
to determine the possibilities of ‘garden production and the cultural
methods best suited to the farm garden im this section.

Potato varietal and cultural tests and potato-breeding investiga-
tions have been conducted as a part of the olericulture w ork.

VARIETAL TESTS

Tests of a few varieties of the common vegetables were begun in
1913 and later increased to include more classes and varieties and
various strains of the same variety. The usual custom of starting
long-season crops in hotbeds and later transferrmg them to the
field and planting others in the open with a garden drill was followed.
Seasonal notes on quality, yield, and other characters were made
each year and the yields determined. Varietal tests of vegetables
were discontinued as a separate line of work after 1918, and atten-
tion was concentrated on the improvement of certain ones and on
working out methods of farm-garden management and the possibili-
ties of production i in the 1-acre farm varden.

The details and results of the varietal tests will not be presented
here. Nothing will be attempted in this report except to show the
scope of the work and the general character of the results with each
of the garden vegetables.

Asparagus.—Two plantings were made of varieties of asparagus raised from
seed. There was only slight winterkilling, and fairly satisfactory yields were
obtained.

Beans.—Highteen varieties were tested as shell beans, and 33 varieties as string
or snap beans. Both proved fairly reliable crops, free from disease and w ith
but few insect enemies. A number of varieties of Lima beans were tested, but
none reached an edible stage before frost.

Beets.—Thirteen varieties were tested as early or fiickling beets, and 10 as
late or winter beets. This vegetable, like most of the root crops, is successfully
grown here. Results with early beets were particularly good. There was always
moisture enough to carry them to the early stage of growth at which they are
harvested and to produce roots of good quality.

5381—25{—4

492 BULLETIN 1301, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Cabbage.—Early cabbage was one of the most reliable garden vegetables tested.
Of the 23 varieties of early cabbage grown in these experiments, Early Jersey
Wakefield and Copenhagen Market were by far the most successful and depend-
able. Late cabbage was not as successful or dependable as early. The round-
headed or flat round were the most successful types or forms, and the red and
Savoy varieties were nearly—or entirely—failures.

Carrots—Early carrots were not, on the whole, successful. The varieties
under trial were neither especially early nor as good in quality as the late varieties.
Late carrots were a successful and dependable crop every year.

Cauliflower.—Cauliflower was tested as an early and as a late vegetable.
The distinction between the two classes was either that of variety or cultural
method, or both. Early cauliflower was a dependable vegetable of fine quality,
but very poor results were obtained with late cauliflower. The varieties that
uniformly gave the best results as an early crop were Early Dwarf Erfurt, Burpee’s
Best Early, and Early Snowball.

Celery.—Very satisfactory results were obtained with celery both as an early
and a late crop. Varieties that proved generally reliable and of the easiest
culture were Golden Self-Blanching, Silver Self-Blanching, Giant Pascal, and
Winter Queen.

Cucumbers.—Cucumbers were generally successful and free from disease.
White Spine was the most satisfactory variety as a slicing cucumber, and Chicago
Pickling was the best in shape and yield of the pickling cucumbers.

Eggplant.—F airly good results were obtained with this vegetable, but its
culture is exacting. It must not be stunted in transplanting, and unless weather
conditions are especially favorable at the time of setting in the field pot-grown
plants are essential to success. The best varieties tested were Early Dwarf
Purple, Black Pekin, and Black Beauty.

Lettuce. —Leaf lettuce gave very good results from both transplants and field
seeding. Head lettuce was not a dependable crop under ordinary field conditions,
but a large percentage of good heads was obtained from April-sown transplants.
Black-seeded Simpson, Prize Head, and Grand Rapids, were all equally good as
leaf lettuce; and Wayahead, May King, Salamander, and Hanson, were the best
and most dependable varieties of head lettuce.

Muskmelon.—A considerable number of varieties were tested, but results
generally were very poor, the season not being long enough for them to mature.
The best results were obtained from the earliest varieties.

Onion.—This vegetable gave fair to good results every year, under ordinary
field culture. The Southport Globe varieties, on the whole, seemed the most
desirable as to yield and market value. Australian Brown, being one of the
best keepers, is very valuable for home use.

Parsnip.—Six named varieties were tested and all produced good yields.
Improved Guernsey was considered the most desirable and proved a very depend-
able variety. 2

Peas.—No actual crop failure of early peas was experienced in any year, but
vields generally were rather small. Dwarf varieties, on account of economy of
space and ease of culture, were found to be the most desirable. Late or main-
season peas were rather light producers, and the crop had a tendency to spoil
quickly in hot weather, but all varieties yielded a crop. Varieties of the Tele-
phone type, such as Alderman, Prince Edward, and Improved Telephone, gave
the best results.

Pepper.—Several varieties were tested and grown with success. Potted plants
are preferable, as they are more certain to produce a crop, but fair results were
obtained with transplants. The varieties that succeeded best were Ruby King,
Baby Bell, and Neapolitan, of the large-podded, mild class; and Chile, of the
small-podded, pungent class.

Pop corn.—Pop corn was not very successful. The very early varieties were
of inferior quality. White Rice seemed by far the best variety, but for this
area it needs selection and breeding for earliness.

Pumpkin.—Late varieties of pumpkins were almost total failures, but early
varieties gave fair to good yields. Small Sugar and Connecticut Field were the
best of these.

Radish.—Of early radishes, 36 varieties were tested. The class as a whole
was very satisfactory. Varieties of the Sparkler, or turnip-shaped type, and the

Icicle variety, of the long-rooted type, were the best. The oblong or olive-shaped |

varieties were not so good. Summer radishes were not as generally satisfactory
as the early radishes, but gave fair results. Varieties of the long-rooted type
appeared to do better than the others. Five varieties of winter radish were

NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS FIELD STATION, 1913-1922 43

tested. All gave very good yields except Rose China, which had too great a
tendency to run to seed. Half Long Black Spanish yielded uniformly well.

Rhubarb.—Rhubarb yielded enormously every year, without attention other
than keeping it clean.

Rutabaga.—Rutabagas were very successful in years of sufficient rainfall, but
in the drier years the quality was so poor that the crop was practically a failure
as a table vegetable. In both quality and yield Winter King, Golden Heart,
and Long Island Improved were the best varieties tested.

Salsify.—This vegetable gave fair results. Its culture was easy, but it showed
a tendency to form fibrous roots instead of a taproot. This probably was due
to insufficient moisture in ordinary years. The largest and best variety tested
was Mammoth Sandwich Island.

Spinach.—Nearly all of the 12 varieties tested produced good crops of excellent
quality every year. The Savoy, or crumpled-leaved, varieties were slightly the
higher yielding. The best varieties were Norfolk Savoy-Leaved, Victoria, and
Long Season. New Zealand was very good in the fall.

Squash.—Scallops or cymlings, crooknecks, and vegetable marrows were
tested as summer squash. All produced good yields, but the vegetable-marrow
type seemed preferable. The best varieties of summer squash were Cocozelle,
Bush Vegetable Marrow, and Long Island White Bush Scallop. Most of the
varieties of winter squash produced a crop somewhat influenced as to quality
and quantity by the early or late appearance of frost. The Early Prolific Mar-
row was more reliable than the Hubbard type, of which Golden Hubbard was
the best in yield but not in quality. re

Sweet corn.—From 7 to 24 varieties were grown each year. A crop was made
every year of all varieties except Country Gentleman, which is entirely too late

_for this section and which produced only a few ears in only two of the five years

that it was planted. The most dependable varieties and those of the best quality
were Golden Bantam, Early White Mexican, Red Cob Cory, White Cob Cory,
Peep O’ Day, and Black Mexican.

Swiss chard.—Swiss chard, or spinach beet, was one of the most reliable and
satisfactory vegetables grown, producing abundantly from early in July until

_ frost. Lucullus, a variety with thick, crumpled leaves, was the best of the six

varieties tested.

Tomatoes.—This is one of the most valuable garden crops in this section and
was a success every year except in 1915, when all the tomatoes in the varietal
test were destroyed in midsummer by disease. Ordinary field culture proved of
little value, as the crop matured so late that the largest part of it was destroyed
by frost. To mature the crop it was found necessary to stake and prune to a
single stem. It is also necessary to start the plants in a hotbed, transplant to a
coldframe or into pots, and set them in the field around May 25 to June 2.
Some of the best varieties tested were Sunnybrook Earliana, Bonny Best, John
Baer, Detroit or Trucker’s Favorite, Red Ponderosa, and Golden Ponderosa.

Turnips.—All varieties yielded well, the principal difference being in quality.
Some were so strongly flavored as to be of no value as a vegetable, but a few were
palatable every year. The best of the 17 varieties tested were Snowball, Golden
Ball, Model, and Cowhorn.

W atermelon.—Twenty-four varieties of watermelons were tested, but only the
earliest ones succeeded. Unless there was good rain in July the plants blos-
somed and set fruit too late to mature before frost. The most reliable varieties
were Fordhook Early, Cole’s Early, Kleckley Sweets, and Sweet Siberian.

Minor vegetables and herbs.—During the years that varietal testing was con-
ducted a number of vegetables and herbs that are less known or not commonly
grown in this area were tried. The following are recorded as good in both
quality and production: Anise, citron, dill, endive, groundcherry, horseradish,
kohlrabi, leek, mustard, parsley, sage, summer savory, and thyme. Broccoli
and Brussels sprouts were too late to produce a good edible product even in an
exceptionally long season. Caraway was grown only one year and gave poor
results, but should succeed here. Celeriac produced but few edible roots even
when handled the same as celery. Two varieties of chicory were grown one
year with fair results. Kale made good growth, but did not survive heavy frosts
in the fall and is, on the whole, of little promise for this section. Lentils matured
but few pods. Okra produced a fair crop each year under ordinary field culture.
The season is not long enough for sweet potatoes. Only one variety produced
a few edible roots. Turnip-rooted parsley, from both field sowing and trans-
plants, succeeded fairly well.

44 BULLETIN 1301, U. 8S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

VEGETABLE BREEDING ~

More or less breeding has been done with vegetables to adapt
available varieties to conditions of the northern Great Plains. Most
of the work has been devoted to tomatoes. Attention has been con-
centrated on this vegetable because of its great potential importance
for the farm and home gardens of this area. The object is to get
earlier tomatoes and at the same time improve or at least maintain
prolificacy and the quality, shape, size, and smoothness of the fruit.

Systematic attempts to improve the tomato for this section began
with the making of selections from the Sunnybrook strain of Earlhana
in 1915. Plants were grown from these selections in 1916 and further
selections made. Selections were again made from the progeny in
1917 and the work increased by individual plant selections from eight
other varieties in the varietal tests. Seed from these selections was
planted in the greenhouse, and cross-fertilization was effected dur-
ing the winter. Both these crosses and the selections made in 1917
were grown in the field in 1918, and 94 individual plant selections
were made. The tomato breeding was temporarily suspended in
1919, but was resumed in 1920 by planting seed from the selections
made in 1918 from the crosses and from a few Earliana and Golden
Ponderosa plants. About 4,200 plants from these selections were set
in the field. In making selections from these, a number of strains
were discarded. In 1921 and 1922 the work was continued on about
the same scale. Marked progress is being made, particularly in
quality, yield, and disease resistance. Unfavorable seasons have
interfered somewhat with selection for extreme earliness.

The most promising strains from which most selections were made
in 1922 are Karliana, Golden Ponderosa, Earliana x Scarlet Ponderosa,
Searlet Ponderosa x Earliana, Golden Ponderosa Burbank, and
Burbank x Golden Queen.

DEMONSTRATION GARDEN

In the spring of 1920 a garden, practically an acre in size, was
started to determine the possibilities of farm-garden production.
The patch is 160 by 272 feet. It is divided into four plats, each 68
by 160 feet. The vegetables are grouped into four main classes—
root crops, legumes, vines and potatoes, and leaf crops—and, as
nearly as possible, each class occupies one of the four plats of ground.
A rotation is practiced, so the legumes follow the roots, the vines and
potatoes follow the legumes, the leaf crops follow the vines and pota-
toes and are themselves followed by the root crops. One of the four
plats is manured each fall, the manure being applied in advance of
the leaf crops.

The rows are 160 feet long, and (except the onion rows, which are
18 inches apart) 3 feet, 6 feet, or 9 feet apart. The wider spacings
are for vines. This arrangement allows most of the cultivation to be
done with horses. The allotment of space to the different vegetables
was based on estimates of production and the requirements of a
family of five, with a surplus for disposal. The plan of the garden is
shown in Figure 5.

NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS FIELD STATION, 1913-1922

160 FEET
W
~
SWEET CORN, N -
16 ROWS 7
E O
a a is ee ae © ee ee AJ
O
CABBAGE, 5 ROWS =
CAULIFLOWER, 2 ROWS Op)
POTATOES, 9ROWS ve
(@ re
————— 47
>W
PUMPKIN, 28HILLS eal
SQUASH, 28HILLS Oo}
fz
WATERMELON, One,
24 HILLS
PEAS, 6 ROWS
~
Se agi ee ae ae ae ane

WAX BEANS, 6 ROWS 2
SSaeeee—~-~--~---------------
M

—

SHELL BEANS, 10 ROWS

PARSNIPS, 2ROWS

TOMATOES, 3 ROWS
ONIONS,| 1 ROWS

SPACED 18 INCHES

a CUCUMBER,SUMMER SQUASH,
(pa) MUSKMELON, 40 HILLS

Fic. 5.—Plan of the l-acre rotation garden at the Northern Great Plains Field Station

la3d 222

46 BULLETIN 1301, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

The following vegetables and varieties are used in this garden:

Vegetables _ Varieties
Besn shells = Pilot Navy.
Beanie ented cote: Saddleback wax, Kidney wax.
Beeb. piekiing-. 2 Eclipse.
Bech awintci ssa ei Detroit Dark Red.
Cabbafe, carly: = ..-2 Jersey Wakefield, Copenhagen Market.
Cabbage* latetes=s-- =: 3 Copenhagen Market, Danish Ballhead.
Cauliflower, early _____-_-_-_- Burpees Best Early.
Cauliflower, late... _ - _ 2 Snowball.
Carraia ene ew OS Chantenay.
Cucumbers osesre 9s 2.8 Fordhook Famous.
Melon:
Muskmelon_________- Emerald Gem.
Watermelon__________ Fordhook Early.
Onion eee ee Southport Globe, Australian Brown.
IPARSHp ape eae Ss Guernsey.
IHEOS. Ge lhe oe Alaska.
Peas, main season_-_______ Notts Excelsior.
POL hcs= eevee re Early Ohio.
UAT) Gt) ee ee ee Small Sugar.
RA eee Golden Neckless.
Squash Ssummeniwe -- _ _ 5 Cocozelle.
Sau¢ash Wittens. Golden Hubbard.
SIMeCCu CORN =e ener Golden Bantam.
SROIMA LOGS -cmer meme Sunnybrook Earliana.

The yields from this acre of garden for the three years 1920-1922,
are given in Table 14.

TaBLe 14.—Yields of vegetables from the 1-acre rotation garden at the Northern
Great Plains Field Station for 1920, 1921, and 1922

: | Year
Variety Unit of meas- —
7 urement |
1920 1921 1922
— —— =

Bean (shelly Sse ee. eee Pounds 522 = 107 18 120
(Bean ia ax ss 2 2s Se ee eee Quarts =. S22 190 42 523
IRCCES DiGkiin ie eee ee te. | ee Pounds=—— == 150 156 268
IBCeiawihteEne > .2e Sera fa ee ei ee ee ear Paine dost = eec* 218 207 | 558
Cabbage, CER rene ere wae oh ee 2 ee ee [doen 485 360 ~=—s-:11, 087
Grabbaces latew ns See. 5 Ss ge Se ee ee dos eas 195 530 | 1,062
@auhhowers earl y= e s s aN: 2a ee eee dos 2 sre= 46 28 135
Cauliflower, TALC. eee Ce ee ||. Se eee doe S32 25% 8 0 81
@WarrOk= =o. ee ee ee ee. = ee (i 3 eae eo 145 317 895
CCH DOR See es ee es 2 eee ene doe === 58 7 151
Melon

IMfuskiiel on! = 8s) 2 Pe J ee eee d=. 523 31 45 49

Win Lermelon 0s = 5 eee ee 2 ees, aes d= S32 368 0 600
Oni Ons ee ee en a at ee Se = eee eee dota ean 547 388 897
IPArSHipe oe ee ee eee dou see 67 97 | 335
Peas) Carly es Sn ee ee eee Qiariscss i 7 7 | 24 | 45
Peas Ma ClO eo eae See eee rr ee ee ee dO ees 73. 25 115
Potatoes eet ee Paes Si. Die Ve ee ee! _ krone Pownds® === 800 9 Fete Reese baal OIF
15-2351) 0) 10 § Pe eee ee aaa Sumter al ean NEY 2 eee ed peer doe ee 672 | - 652 651
SGHASHY SUBIMCh! |e eas 5 Steere ee. ee TUES. oo) es 28 16 40
SGuaSH “winter 8228 52-22 net ee ei eee a iBaunds=-=—— = | 1, 485 0. 560
utabata (222. 2 2228 oan ear es es a ee Seas doe. 3-4 135 75 | 300
Sweeheorn=. 3-8 a. Ue ee eee 1) DE) poe ee eee ee 242 | 500 1, 400
RomatOe. =" 2 ew a ee ee Set. Sa fPoundss 222 458 354 | 954

1 Record lost
POTATOES

Potatoes have been a fairly sure crop at the station. Although
yields have varied considerably from year to year, there has not
been a complete failure since the work was started in 1913.

Three lines of experimentation with potatoes have been followed:
Varietal tests, spacing experiments, and selection.

L
-
e
7
“4
:

asda. o Sagem Ma

NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS FIELD STATION, 1913-1922 47

More than 30 varieties of potatoes have been tested, some but a
single year and others for varying lengths of time up to 10 years.
Uninterrupted yields were obtained from three varieties for the 10
years, 1913-1922, inclusive. During this period Green Mountain
averaged 185 bushels, Irish Cobbler 163 bushels, and Rural New
Yorker 144 bushels, per acre. Green Mountain was the highest yield-
ing variety in the tests in 1913, 1914, and 1921. Of those varieties
that have outyielded Green Mountain more than once, Pink Eye had
the higher yield three times in the nine years that both were grown;
Trish Cobbler and Rural New Yorker each exceeded it twice in 10
years; Early Ohio exceeded it once in 9 years; and Karly Acme and
Blue Victor twice each in 8 years.

Various tests have been made in which the same. variety was
erown from seed from different sources, and wide differences have
been noted in the yields. The results show a tendency of home-
srown seed to run out or degenerate. This factor greatly interferes
with the accuracy and interpretation of variety trials. The prob-
lem of keeping potatoes vigorous, and free from disease and degen-
erate types, appears to be one of great importance here.

Experiments to determine the best distance to space hills of pota-
toes in the row have been conducted each year except 1915. From
three to nine varieties have been under trial each year at different
spacings, ranging from 14 to 30 inches. The average yields favor
the closer spacing, but the higher yield from the closer spacing was
sometimes obtained at the expense of quality and size. On the
whole, the 20-inch spacing has been the most desirable.

Considerable selection work with potatoes has been done, start-
ing with the fall of 1914. The method first employed was to select
superior hills of all varieties in the field at digging time and test the
selections in bulk in comparison with the parent stocks.

Starting with 1918 the selections were made on an individual-hill
basis, with the number of varieties reduced to four, viz: Early
Ohio, Irish Cobbler, Rural New Yorker, and Pink Eye. The best 10
hills of each of these varieties were selected and the progeny of each
hill kept separate.

Starting with 1921 the tuber-unit method was used; that is, the
progeny of each tuber was kept separate and selections were made
of the best tuber units. This latter method is still being used with
several standard varieties of potatoes.

Results to the present time from the selections have been largely
negative, in that no higher yielding strains have been isolated.

AGRONOMIC INVESTIGATIONS °

ROTATION AND TILLAGE EXPERIMENTS

The rotation and tillage experiments occupy two fields, known as
the main field and the south field. The soil of the main field is a
comparatively light sandy loam containing about 10 per cent of
clay in the surface foot. The soil of the south field is much heavier,
containing about 25 per cent of clay in the surface foot. This field
slopes to some extent and is subject to run-off, both on it and from

® By J. T. Sarvis, Associate Agronomist, and J. C. Thysell, Assistant Agronomist, Office of Dry-Land
Agriculture Investigations.

48 BULLETIN 1301, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

it, which interferes with the uniformity of the yields. The main
field contains 225 tenth-acre plats and the south field 60 tenth-acre
plats. The plats are 132 feet long and 33 feet wide. They are
separated along the sides by 4-foot alleys, and along the ends by
20-foot roadways and are divided into blocks of 12 plats each by 20-
foot roadways. The alleys and roads are cultivated and kept free of
vegetation.

The methods of cultural treatment under trial are spring plowing,
fall plowing, disked corn ground, summer fallowing, subsoiling, list-
ing, and green manuring, el plowing except for special treatments
is done to a depth of 6 inches. Corn ground to be sown to spring
grain is disked once with a double cutaw ay disk shortly before seed-
ing. Summer fallow is plowed the first week in June and kept free
from weeds the rest of the season by cultivation. All subsoiled plats
are fall- plowed to a depth of 6 inches, and the subsoiler is run in the
bottom of each furrow to a further depth of 8 inches, loosening the
soil to a total depth of 14 inches. Subsoiling is done for two years
in succession and then omitted for two years. Listing is done to a
depth of 6 to 8 inches in the fall for all small-grain crops that re-
cele this treatment. Winter rye, peas, and sweet clover are grown
and plowed under for green manure. This treatment is a modifica-
tion of summer fallow, differing from it in the kind and quantity of
the green matter that is turned under and the time ot plowing.
The green-manure plats are plowed from four to six weeks later than
summer fallow.

Table 15 shows the crops that are regularly grown in the rota-
t ons, the varieties used, the rate of seeding, and the number of plats
of each crop seeded annually. The varieties used are those that are
considered well adapted to the locality. The same variety of a
given crop is seeded in all plats.

TABLE 15.—Crops, varieties, seeding rate, and number of plats seeded annually in
the crop rotation and cultivation experiments at the Northern Great Plains Field
Station

Numupes
; Jariety S Saya of plats
Crop Variety Seed per acre eeedce
annually
Scin cemiheate semen ee eee Kubankse vee soe S| ATCC lc oe 67
WAMTEernwhea bs ees eh ee. Ce Eee ei Turkeyjon Kharkofes = 232 | 4 pecksie= Sie ee 5
Onis a See eS ee ere Sixty. aye eee 6: pecks: sso s eae 64
RAT Cy aos meee eer Bae ene ee 2 Hann chen sess se 5 a eee Lek OPCCKSeas eee eee 22
CONS ate. ae eae Daw Se SS ee North westenmel) Grits a eee 64
1D piven oe see ee ee eS ee North Dakota Wilt Resistant_| 20 pounds_________ 12
I OUALOCS Se Se ae es ee Ae Barly Ohio =a 10 bushels_-________ 2
AT Fat ey errs eee Se Se ee ei ee Grim sesabnet Ss) 2 aie | 6 to 8 pounds______ 1
STO TMC TASS peers ere oo te sa ata oe BromuSinenniisa =e === eee el pOUn USE 1
SWwechclovers-22--=- See Oe ee Be Whites: es eee eer dh ae i TOspounds==ae 2
Win Gergry.Cs sem oe oe ee ae een ae eee Common essa hee | 50 pounds__----__- 2
TP CASS as ee en ae Set ee ae Canadianghield ===. = aaee 2) bushels=s==o=-== 2
3 MEER 1

SOLLO 2 ae ees sans tere ee ree EEE: DakotagAumipe rs = anaes eae 8 pounds

Spring-plowed and fall-plowed plats that are seeded to spring
small grains are harrowed twice in the spring. Fall-plowed plats
are left rough over winter. Spring-plowed plats to be seeded to
corn are harrowed twice before seeding. Fall plowing for corn is
harrowed once at the time the plats for small grain are harrowed
and again when the spring-plowed plats for corn are harrowed.

_—s

NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS FIELD STATION, 1913-1922 49

Summer-fallowed plats to be seeded to small grain are usually har-
rowed twice before seeding. Sometimes the spring-tooth harrow or
the disk harrow is used instead of the spike-tooth harrow. The
disk harrow is not used extensively, since it increases the work
necessary to prepare a seed bed. It also pulverizes the soil to such
an extent that blowing is likely to occur on the lighter soils.

In the treatment of summer fallow the practice is to harrow the
plats once immediately or soon after plowing. This operation levels
the soil and leaves it in such condition that the implements used later
do their work to the best advantage. The fallow plats have not
been disked since 1917, or after the soil was free from sod. <A knife
weeder and spring-tooth harrow have been used to Keep the plats
free from weeds. In 1922 a duck-foot cultivator was used to ad-
vantage. Fallow should be cultivated to keep it free from weeds and
to leave it in a receptive condition for rains, and rough to avoid soil
blowing. Figure 6 shows summer fallow after cultivation with a
duck-foot cultivator.

Fic. 6.—Summer-fallow plats after cultivation with a duck-foot cultivator at the Northern Great
Plains Field Station, July 14, 1922

In the main field spring wheat, winter wheat, barley, oats, flax,
and corn are grown under systems of continuous cropping. Six
plats are required for each crop. On two of the six plats crops and
summer fallow alternate. In the south field spring wheat, barley,
oats, and corn are grown in duplicate under the system of continuous
cropping. Rotations 5 and 8, in the south field, are also in duplicate.
Plat A of the continuous-cropping plats of spring-sown crops 1s
shallow spring plowed and harrowed once before seeding; plat B is
fall plowed to a depth of 6 inches, left rough over winter, and harrowed
twice before seeding; plats C and D are ‘alternately summer fallowed
and cropped, one being in crop each year; plat E is fall plowed and
subsoiled, left rough over winter, and harrowed twice before seeding;
and plat F is listed in the fall and worked down before seeding, except
for corn, for which it is spring listed.

50 BULLETIN 1301, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rotations 1 to 9, inclusive, are repeated three times in the main
field. Each of these rotations appears in series I, series II, and
series III, and each block of 27 plats across the three series also
contains each of the nine rotations. The results from these rotations
show that if the yields of any one of the combinations were used,
the conclusions would not be changed from those derived from any
other set.

The land upon which the rotations are located was broken during
May and June, 1913, and backset in the fall. The yields of all crops
were high in 1914 because of the very favorable season. The 1914
yields are not included in any of the tables presented, because all
crops were on land given uniform treatment.

The yields following summer fallow in 1915 are not entirely com-
parable with those following other tillage methods or those of other
years, because the plats were not only fallow in 1914 but were semi-

“

fallow in 1913.
SPRING WHEAT

The yields of sprmg wheat from the main and south fields for
the years, 1915 to 1922, inclusive, are presented in Table 16. The
wheat yields for the 3-year period, 1919-1921, inclusive, were low, be-
cause of the dry seasons. While 1917 and 1918 were also dry, the
yields under most of the cultural methods were not exceedingly low.

In a comparison of wheat yields following different cultural treat-
ments, disked potato ground has produced a yield equal to that on
summer fallow. Disked potato ground is an excellent preparation
for wheat. The one plat receiving this preparation is in a 4-year
rotation which contains manured summer fallow in addition to the
potatoes. That the high yield following potatoes is not due to the
manure in the rotation is indicated by the results from a similar
rotation containing manured fallow, in which the potatoes are re-
placed by corn. The yield of wheat in this rotation is not above the ~
average on disked corn ground in rotations that receive no manure.

In discussing the yields from summer-fallowed land, it should not be
forgotten that twice as much land is required to produce the yields
on fallow as on land continuously cropped. As much land is needed
for a crop of wheat on fallow as is required to produce a crop of
wheat and one of corn or potatoes. If the land is to produce equal
values, the value of the crop after summer fallow should equal
the combined values of the crop of wheat and the crop of corn or
potatoes that take the place of the fallow. In the case of continuous
cropping, the value of the crop on summer fallow should equal
two continuous-cropping crops.

The yields in Table 16 show the following points: Plowing corn
eround, instead of disking it, for wheat has not increased the yield
enough to pay for the labor of plowing. Spring plowing for wheat
has been slightly better than fall plowing. Land manured before
plowing for summer fallow has produced higher yields than unma-
nured land. Crops turned under for green manure have not increased
the yields over summer fallow. The yields indicate that the green
manure, as compared with fallow, has a depressing effect on yields,
but the reason for the difference may be found in the time of plowing
under the green manure and the time of plowing for fallow. The sub-
soiled plat, which is directly comparable to the fall-plowed plat after

Pee ag oes nN aT RE SEES ER aid ET 28 Ses,

NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS FIELD STATION, 1913—1922 5A

wheat, has produced a yield equal to the fall-plowed plat, but
subsoiling requires more labor and expense than fall plowing. The
listed plat has produced yields about the same as those given fall
plowing and subsoiling. The method, however, is not as expensive
as subsoiling.

TABLE 16.—Yields of spring wheat in two fields at the Northern Great Plains Field
Station following different cultural treatments and various crops for the 8-year
period, 1915-1922, inclusive

Num- . . Yields per acre (bushels)
| ber Aas ib eis Wi Re ge eo : 2
Field, treatment, and previous crop ants |
aver-| 1915 | 1916 | 1917 | 1918 | 1919 | 1920 1921 | 1922 AVE
aged | | eS
|
| | Aa ss ie
MAIN FIELD | | |
Disked: |
(CLOT See Bs ee ae a oe ne ee 16 | 34.5 | 18.4 | 14.3 | 14.8) 12.1 TB || Orissa) PAYG ala 7
OvalOeSe at ato ee FE 8 ee ee TE S957 | 22 ome leo 12055 211498) 655 TSE 2 70 19.3
Spring plowed:
ORT amen ve ent Bei 3p (835-2) | QOS et SYOF |= 20:5 | Me Sile eG deen9s| 22°69} s1Gs8
( OVRW SS od) Rte ae a alate ee 3) | 20.2 || 2259) 1 Aa | 17.9) 1106 BIE | s3sa3 (eel 16. 2
SDEMo MWe DG sees en tee tae Reena | Te ei0b a) a 2 |) ia el RR Te | ey 1G | AP SHiPOS on folses
Ri Seb PACT Vu Sens Vette [Pera 28.8)) TOR Sm eTORR: (IS. Pelee 24 | GUD On. 2052k 1 18.1
Fall plowed: | | |
(CSch Ae Re a 2 a eae pene Sulisd. Os! 228m etOsdal lo.3 | 13. Vale s20N) 0 1940.1 14.8
OFS etna ee ees SOE Ee ae epee 7 | 33.5 | 23.5 | 13.8 | 10.4 Leahy abo) “OF eg) 14.2
SMM PWC ale = aa = ee ae ee eee 1 | 32.1 | 18.5 | 14.8 | 15.3 Hy 3) PISO) Os ae 12.4
Summer fallowed: | | | |
TT ANT Cee se ee a | 10} 44.1 | 22.7 | 16.0) 23.0} 138.1 | 8.1) 3.4 | 24.0 19.3
NVEATUTCO eye ee ee ee er er ge | 2 | 41.6 | 29.7 | 24.1 | 26.0 | 14.3 | 14.4| 43 | 30.4) 23.1
Green manured: | | |
Wits teriny cess 4 = seth Stree eek tte 1 | 29.6 | 24.3 | 21.8 | 18.8 | 10.0 | 10.8 | 1.0) 17.7; 16.8
ens wneee es eh ye t= | 6 |038) 1 | S7esareomey, [025.5 | 1180) 014/01 10:7) 16.9
VEC ICO MET ee ets ee rae ee ES LEHR 2-40 P2Se elec Maal oa dled le terol asro 15.4
Subsoiled: | |
Spring awheatn< saye Pa ee ieiesl= 7 | ASHSmetonSalenre eves Or. te Ola.) 15:2s= 1280
Listed: | |
SMa Baw ea tip as eee ae ee | 1) 3256) | LSiey es) |) Aas 7, Beh ves temnt| 0) 17.2 13.0
| j | ine ——
Average of all 53 plats__-_____-___- ESOeS 2 vs | 30.7 | 21.5 | 15.2 | 16.9 | 11.5] 6.3 | GZ Real 16.3
SOUTH FIELD | |
| | |
Spring plowed: | | |
SpLrincawheatassees =< > cps 2 he at | 2: 28.2 | 15.4 8.9 0 (aA 0 19.6 9.9
Fall plowed: | |
SDrin Gaw Meat ae se ae ee LE PAN Ua a ees || “foal 0 OFSre tO al eOe 1elOR9S 8.9
Pie Sos ee a Se eee eee eee 2 No2at | L9R9 8.5 OF | 856 Teale} 0) = 4) te 11.0
Summertallowed. =. at et? AVANT (al Ika By 4h IBS 7 652)4 1453 | = 8.4 | Oe) e642 14.8
Subsoiled: | | |
Sprmeawhentaeee sae S tees Tee ts | 2 | 25.2 | 15.8 Ee ad WU 0 20. 4 9.2
Listed:
SPE oWwiea tera) cee we asa SE 2 | 27.3 | 1728 6.9 | 0 730 |}. ea 0 19.1 10. 2
Average oallelasplats= = 2 feat 3258 1Gevalpe Osama Sile OsOni2 oe0rie 10 I |) TR
} | |

The yields of wheat in the south field are lower than in the main
field. The difference is partly due to the heavier soil in the south
field, and partly to greater run-off from it. Plats in the main field
that are strictly comparable with those in the south field show an
average yield of 4.3 bushels more per acre. The average yield from
fallow in the south field is 4.9 bushels per acre less than from similar
plats in the main field.

Judged by the results of the experiments to date, the most profit-
able method of raising spring wheat in this section is to use disked
corn ground. This would be in a system of livestock and grain farm-
ing. However, in the case of wheat growing alone, if the farmer
does not want to grow corn, or if corn will not grow successfully,
summer fallow and spring wheat would be a better method to follow.

59 BULLETIN 1301, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Spring wheat is an important crop in this section, and no doubt will
continue for some time to cco the most prominent place in the

cropping system.
WINTER WHEAT

Winter wheat has been sown on five continuously cropped plats
for nine seasons. Plat A is plowed just before seeding, plat B is
early fall plowed, plats C and D are alternately fallowed and cropped,
plat E is early fall plowed and subsoiled, and plat F is listed early and
worked down before seeding. Winter wheat has not survived the
winter during any year on any of these plats, and they have been
resown to spring wheat. It has lived when sown in the bottom of
lister furrows, but the yield was not enough to be profitable. Winter
wheat has been sown’ in standing cornstalks and standing sorgo
stalks, but it did not live in either place, although put in under the
best of conditions. Winter wheat has been grown successfully in
limited areas in this section by drilling it into grain stubble. This
seems to be the most promising method for anyone who wants to
try this crop.

TaBLE 17.—Yvields of oats in two fields at the Northern Great Plains Field Station
following different cultural treatments and various crops for the 8-year period,
1915-1922, inclusive

'Num-| Yields per acre (bushels)
| bet a
| !

Field, treatment, and previous crop | aM |
laver-| 1915 | 1916 | 1917 | 1918 | 1919 1920 1921 | 1922 | “Yeh
aged | | | as

MAIN FIELD
Disked: | |
C Onna 22 es sae eee Sed ie CLIO FASS 7272 202725) || 2456 eleloso 6.3 | 56.4 | 34.4
RO CAbOCS Sess seas ees = ee ee 1_ | 68232562555) 4351 | 335 13050) | 2358 9.7 | 67.8 | 42.3
Sorgo ES ie Sse eg 1 | S850 50598192659" /5 2550) |p 25st 2020 452) || DOGS EES 3 a0.
Spring plowed: | | | | |
(0) 610 ee ee a NS a a 6 | 72.7 | 52.0 | 28.2 | 33.7 | 24.9 | 175 | 10.0 |-5f8 |= -37at
Sonne Wiha Gass eee eel aie ant 4; 60.3 | 53.4 | 26.9 | 30.3 | 24.2 8.5 | 12:8 | 63:9 | 35.0
IBY) een ley eee een, WU a 1 | 45230457 0N 2354 | 27.5 | 15.3 | 17.5 | 9.4) 50.6 | 29.3
OBESE eR Pie Rea SE 1 | S455 Se R44 A 285 1s 12957 | 1529 leet) di Beye bh PRET
Fall plowed: | | =| |
SDrIn ohwih cates ee eee ee ee 12 | 68.5 | 55.9 | 24.8 | 19.9 | 21:8; 6.1{ O | 42.2] 29.9
Ea el (GN fas eee oe ees i yrenche sao eae 3 | 66.0 | 58.5 | 26.6 | 18.5 | 23.4 7.4 OF 3885 29.9
Oats: = see ea ee ee EOE Te 1) | SSOR Se Poe om e25alen eos Ol OSS oY On 12954 Pea f
Summer fallowed:
WUinmanured&-<. 2- = Se ce 5 1103. 5 | 66:0 } 39.1 | 44.9 | 28.4 | 24.9 | 13:05) 7423 49.3
Wiantined 25 se. 2 soni ae 2 |100: 6 | 66:9 | 45.8 | 51.1 | 31-9 | 29.9 Soo ate 2 ol. 5
Green manured: | |
AWE GE DSIy Cle rae Se ee ee oe 1 | 63.6 | 58.8 | 41.2 | 24.7] 19.4 | 14.4) 6.6! 35.0) 33.0
I CAS Sean 8 Se ee eae a ere ae eS tetas 8) |) (GD) SR Ss | PA The|) Zales ey Cs 26 w) 34.4
dae SweebncClovere sso = ene ene DT Peto Tt |) RE Wa eB bik P2253 |) 2258) Fs e aL 7.8 | 27.5 32. 9
od: | | |
IB TOME: Brass tlee © Sen ee ee ales 2 1 | 57.2 | 39.4 | 18.4 | 24.4 | 20.0} 6.9 828s On aee24e3
INVES te ee a EE ogee | COSOe GSa See Sr A Se Sool Ol ees OSA: Ob Gs
Subsoileds Oats ate sas eres i | LP S775 e Sa 2 9/19: 1 | 1864.1 14 1 166) Ome etal gieeonas
LES EGXC MOG) ert Bei ee 1}! 4958554025505) 27, 53) 1354 | 97 | 6.6 | 44 AS 2SRo
Avverage ofall53) platsss- sae = |e 71..2)| 55.3 | 28:6 | 28.3)| 23.2 | 12.9 |- 16.1 | se25ee34
SOUTH FIELD : |
Syombae Ono Opies. ee PAGE. @) || Gos) 1] WSS | O 24°65) ) 1435) “4 1e eo O eet
Fall plowed: |
OLS He eee ce ee LE renee Prise (0) |) SVs |) IRS 0 18.8 | 3.3 0 46.9 28. 3
Spring wheates #28. ae eee Were || Gil ik t PASS I 0) 21.4 | 4.1 SaSt 4a tubes
SdomTneye fen eGle ee A T2358) 563o0h ole. 9 1 2765 103256) |e265 te leere Seale kaeeroeG
Subsoiled:<Oatsse 37a ee ee eee | PAA (ate toy || SUE! ZBL 0 PRPC a|le mabey ttt SIE Ape 2Suo
EIsted:sO38ts secs aE eee ae PAN hs (8) |) GOS |) “AE ¢ 0 25.0 | 12.0 Lot dos o l= Sle
= heres . }
AMVeraceOhall aaplaisee sen eee ea! S7eS0le 588 024504) 9) 2584s LON See sabe O one seo

1 Discontinued in 1922. 2 7-year average. 3 51 plats in 1922.

NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS FIELD STATION, 1913—1922 D3
OATS

Oats have been grown under the same general cultural conditions
as spring wheat and have shown much the same r esponse. The yields
of oats in both fields for the eight years from 1915 to 1922, inclusive,
are given in Table 17. Fall plowing for oats has yielded less than either
spring plowing or disked corn ground. The yield on summer fallow has
been higher than that under any other method, but, as was shown in
considering the results with spring wheat, summer fallowrequires twice
the acreage of other methods. The yields on green manure have been
about equal to those on disked corn eround | and less than those on
fallow. The difference between the results on fallow and on green
manure are largely due to differences in the time of plowing. Oats
have been grown on alfalfa sod and on bromegrass sod, but the yields
have been ‘uniformly low on both. In 1922 flax was substituted for
the oats on sod.

Under most methods, the yield on the heavier soil of the south
field has been only slightly less than that on the lighter soil of the
main field. In the case of the listed and subsoiled plats the yield has
been shghtly larger than that in the main field. This increase has
been due to run-off, which benefited these plats in the south field.

Oats are a valuable feed crop for this section. They fit well into
a rotation with corn and wheat. In such a rotation, the oats would
be best placed on spring plowing after spring wheat. The crop is
not valuable enough to demand such an expensive method as summer
fallow. Both corn and potato ground furnish a good preparation for
oats, but they are usually sown to spring w heat for which they are
equally good.

BARLEY

Barley is another grain grown for feed. In bushels per acre the
yield of barley is less than that of oats, but in pounds per acre the
yields of the two are very close. Barley fits well into a rotation with
corn and oats or corn and wheat. The yields of barley in the main
and south fields for the eight years, 1915-1922, inclusive, are shown
in Table 18.

In the rotations barley is grown on disked corn ground and on
disked flax stubble. The yield on disked flax stubble has been only
slightly more than half the yield on disked corn ground. The yield
follow ing spring plowing was less than that following fall plowing in
the main field, but in the south field the yield followi ing spring plow-
ing was slightly higher than that following fall plowing. The fall-
plow ed plat j in the main field has received run-off which increased the
yield. The yield on summer fallow averaged for the eight years 6.6
bushels per acre more than on corn ground. As in the case of other
crops, twice the number of plats is required to grow barley on fallow
as on continuously cropped plats. The same number of plats was
required to grow a crop of corn and one of barley as to grow barley
on summer fallow. The increase in the yield of barley on fallow
was not enough to offset the greater cost of production. The. yield
of barley on “subsoiled and on listed land was either less or ‘only
slightly better than on spring or fall plowing.

As was true with other crops, comparable “plats 3 yielded less in the
south field than in the main one. In the south field in 1922 the
listed plats were favored by run-off which increased their yields.

54 BULLETIN 1301, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

The dry weather in early June, 1922, so injured the fall- -plowed plats
that they were not able to recover after rains came, and the yields
of these plats consequently were low.

TaBLeE 18.—Yveld of barley in two fields at the Northern Great Plains Field Station
following different cultural treatments and various crops for the 8-year period,
1915-1922, inclusive.

Nuin- Yields per acre (bushels)
ber = aR AED Td
Field, treatment, and previous crop awe | | |
aver- 1915 | 1916 | 1917 | 1918 | 1919 | 1920. | 1921. 1922 | “Ver
aged | | | age
: | | | |
MAIN FIELD - | |
Disked: f |
COnnM asses Se Se hee 3 | 59.2 | 26.7 | 15.5 | 245; 143) 14.3) 0 Sigil Ws Bub
TNE ING eet ees a er Ripe erp are pe ee ee 1) | S8S0R 2245048 SE PA 7h | dls} (0) LS || LE
Spring plowed:
Oat SH se a ea ae eerie 3 | A e298 AS ONE 2231 ol 2a6 6.6 | 2.4 | 43.4; 22.3
Barleyoe nn. ome ete Cee ewe: | «1 [74256519 24. 8) 1759) | 20583}> 9F045 0 1112 0 3650 eas=9
BallplowedeBarley: 22-222 alee ot | LS (s0 Gn 2657) |e LORGr Sl Sn elOe2 sO mane, AGEN Ly
Summer fallowed= 524 se ss ee = 1 } 63527238755) VETS 3355") 135. 8a1=2086" |= 2c0) moonsn wS0s6
Subsoiled Barly sae sae eae | 1) | 29s 7e 295 2A ONG) SOSA: hoes eels ate 0 2353 jG eS
istedseBanle ys soos tae ae eee | Mecho Eco Mirth) Pala rall as. Ose Giar) || aD S17 AON,
Average ofall 12 plats____________- [each 50.3 | 28.3] 16.7) 223/108] &2| .8 37.6] 21.9
SOUTH FIELD | 32 | | german
Spring plowed: Barley_________________. |= 2 | 508Se ol Or 48 0 8.3) 0-4 08 t o5ebele Be
Hall ploweds Barley suess2s 5 aes | 2) 95.5; 26.3) 27) 0 | 2.0; 0 0 Peale Sats 76
SUM eratallowed sue. se sea ee | 2 | O8a2ee 2952) | Ono aio. | elGe8 Ino lee DART 22053
Subsoilledsebanrle yeu eee oa) ee | 2 | O2n OF Pe2659)) |) 454s enOy e257 1.0 0 IST ||. 1. 2
IBISCCO SB ATIC VA meee See es ee | 2 | S658 83050) | "456 | 50) |= 659s 4571 10 3058) el Ged
Averace otal 10 iplatse. 2 ae 54.7 | 26-7| 521 31| 63| 27 | 0 | oLal ie
CORN

Corn is one of the most important crops that can be grown suc-
cessfully in this part of the northern Great Plains. It has a double
importance, because of its value for grain and fodder and because
corn ground affords one of the best preparations in this area for all
small-grain crops. The acreage planted to corn has been increasing
steadily during the past five years. During the years that corn has
been grown at the station it has produced more pounds of grain per
acre than any of the small grains. — It is the one crop that has not
been a complete failure following some particular cultural treatment
during the driest years. Corn came nearest to a failure in 1920,
but even then it produced more pounds of grain per acre than wheat
and oats combined.

Corn is grown on the lighter soil in the main field on 50 plats in
combination with small grain, cora, and summer fallow. In the
south field it 1s grown after corn on eight plats and after summer
fallow on two plats.

The variety grown on all plats in the rotations is Northw estern
Dent. A good strain of this variety was obtained as foundation
stock in 1914, and seed has been selected from it each year. A very
early strain has been developed. Seed corn usually is selected during
the latter part of August and has been picked as early as August 15.
The selected seed is t ‘horoughly dried in the fall before it is stored for
the winter.

NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS FIELD STATION, 1913-1922 ye

Spring plowing for corn is usually done about May 10, and the
crop is seeded between May 15 and May 20. The crop is cultivated
usually three times during the season.

Table 19 shows the yield of ear corn in the main field during the
eight years 1915-1922. In general, spring plowing after small grain
has produced, higher ‘yields than fall plowing after small grain, but .
during favorable seasons the difference in yield is likely to be small.
Spring plowing for corn is to be preferred because the work usuaily is
easier, the yields generally are higher, and spring plowing is cleaner
than fall plowing. Fall-plowed land in this area is likely to be sown
to wheat if the spring is favorable, even though it were intended. for
corn at the time of plowing. Subsoiling and listing after corn are
both inferior to either spring or fall plowing after corn.

Corn has produced a slightly higher yield on summer-fallowed
land than on land handled in any other way, but the increase in
yield is not enough to compensate for the labor and the loss of the
use of the land during the year of fallow except in a dry season, such
as 1920.

With either spring or fall plowing there is not much difference in
the yield of corn following the different small erains. The desira-
bility of the small grain itself is of much greater weight in its choice
than is any effect it may have on a following crop of corn. The yield
of corn following corn is bigher than following small grain, regardless
of the method of tillage.

On the heavier soil in the south field the yields have been less than
those from comparable plats in the main field. In this field fall
plowing has slightly exceeded spring plowing in yields.

The yields of corn stover are not given in the table, but were
Sightly: heavier than 2,000 pounds per acre. The highest yields
were following summer ‘fallow and corn. The highest yield after
small grain was on spring plowing.

In rotations where manure is put on for the corn crop the yield of
both grain and stover has been higher than in similar rotations
where manure was not put on. The influence of the manure has been
greater on the stover than on the grain.

TABLE 19.—Yields of ear corn in the main field at the Northern Great Plains Field
Station following different cultural treatments and crops for the 8-year period,
1915-1922, inclusive

|
iNum-| Yields per acre (bushels)
ber aes a ries
Treatment and previous crop ee | | | |
aver-| 1915 | 1916 | 1917 | 1918 | 1919 | 1920 | 1921 | 1922 | “Ver
aged | | | ;
Spring plowed: |
Suialljorainis ova ete ee 2 8) 29 | 26.6 | 37.6 | 23.1 | 36.3 | 24.9) 69 | 185] 35.6] 26.2
COMMIS hea 2 ee nner ae 1-| 29.6 | 39.8 | 26.7 | 45.7 | 28.6 | 11.4 | 22.3} 39.6| 30.5
Fall plowed:
Siiigli ani see, Sse Seale Sa ages See 160s 2698 | 40) 29ehG. 421-33. 2-|.2050| 3.9 | 13.0 | 28.5 | 22.8
OSTA Eee hs Rea tee eae ft e260 | 49) lei On 4409° 26.9) |. 7..9)| 2251 | 86.6 | 29.4
sunnmer fallowed 222222201. 5 aie se4) to: 1 | 25.7 | 34.9 | 28.1 | 46.6 | 30.6 | 24.3 | 35.3 | 40.6 | 33.3
pMpsoleds Conn sas sexe 8! 2 2. 852225 1 | 24.8 | 44.5 | 18.7} 45.6 | 29.3 | 10.1] 20.9 | 35.6 |} 28.7
LOTS DG le CYA a oe le Iie 2728 | S6,6n memoria. | 27.1 | t4e7>| 18) 6/3126") +27.6
Average of all'50 plats. _..---______ Dee fogs h3Rcatomeeseatnlosevele 6 5 |l17. 9 1:33: 5 | 25.5
| | —

367 BULLETIN 1301, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

FLAX

Flax is usually the first crop grown when the native sod is broken
in this region. It is grown as a cash crop. It is well adapted to
seeding on sod, because it can be sown late or after breaking is done
in the spring. 3

Flax is grown on 12 plats; 7 of these are in rotations and 5 are
continuously cropped. During the first five years of the experiments
a nonwilt-resistant variety of flax was sown in the rotations, and
during the first four years in the continuously cropped plats. During
the other years a wilt-resistant variety was used. By the end of the
third year flax wilt began to appear on all plats, and it was largely
responsible for the low yields of 1917 and 1918. Weeds have also
been an important factor in the reduction of flax yields. Flax is not
able to cope with weeds as well as other crops. The weed that has
done most damage in the flax plats is Russianthistle (Salsola pestifer).
This weed was not a factor in 1915 or 1916, but during the dry years
from 1917 to 1921, inclusive, it was an important factor in the
reduction of yields. The yields of flax for the eight years 1915-1922
are given in Table 20.

The yields of flax in 1915 were high. With the exception of those
plats on which flax follows flax, the land had never grown flax before.
The yields for the series of years indicate that the methods under
trial have not produced paying yields of flax. All of the flax plats
except one, which was in a 5-year rotation, were discontinued in 1921
and 1922. In 1922 flax was placed in two rotations that contain
sod crops which precede the flax.

TaBLe 20.—Yields of flax at the Northern Great Plains Field Station following dif-
ferent cultural treatments and crops for the 8-year period, 1915-1922, inclusive

'Num- Yields per acre (bushels)
ber
Treatment and previous crop | ae
aver-| 1915 | 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 | 1922 | Aver
| aged age
IPSISKC OSs COR ne = ne eh ee 8 2 Se eee Sy 4200 26 5=0 0 5. 6 Gey
Spring plowed:
Oats SES pe ee Pee eee ee eee 16S oy lO 82. 32 0 0 0 0 2.0 3.9
S DEMME wheai= enka s Sea ses 1 hakss2 od 4) Oo. 2 0 0 0 255 4.5
Conn. See ee, Se ea 2} 190! 140 4.4 Gy Bid 8 0 4.0 ceaed
101 6S Ga Ae Se oe ee Pe a ae Wa St 2: 5.0 0 0 9 0 O52 2.6
Fall plowed:
COT a ee a ne a 0 eee a PE E2sOF ot 0 28 0 | lige: 0 0 1l4 3. 6
lasso ee i eee } Fp oss FP 0 0 0 0 Ofer es 2. 6
SUMMIGrhUGY GG leone ee ae 1) eee 04: ike: 0 | 1.3 0 () iets ern 4.3
SHEDSonle d= law 28 55s as ee oy eT LL | 128) 6.9 0 0 | 0 0 0 pee 3.1
ABISt COSHH Paxson Sue, Noes ae 1 se 621s 0 OO 0 | Bag ees aks 2.8
Averazeonall l2 plats) a panes 16. 10.45)" 2.3 3 ‘é 1 0 3. 6 41

1 Discontinued at the end of 1921. The average is for 7 years.
OTHER CROPS

A number of other crops were grown in the rotations, primarily
to study their effect upon the following crop, but their yields are not
disregarded.

: ALFALFA

This crop is grown in one 6-year rotation. The alfalfa is seeded
on fall-plowed ground following wheat. It occupies the land for two
years in addition to the seeding year and is then broken up. The

“I

NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS FIELD STATION, 1913-1922 )

alfalfa entirely winterkilled in 1919-20, and a satisfactory stand was
not again obtained until 1922. The yield of field-cured hay from
l-year-old and 2-year-old sod in this rotation has averaged about
1,900 pounds per acre.

The variety was Grimm. It was seeded at the rate of 5 to 6
pounds per acre.

BROME GRASS

This grass is sown on disked corn ground, with wheat as a nurse
crop. The rate of seeding is 10 to 15 pounds per acre. The brome
grass occupies the ground for three seasons after the year of seeding.
A satisfactory stand was not obtained during the four seasons 1918-—
1921, so the yields obtained have been low. Brome grass in this
rotation has yielded from 1,000 to 1,600 pounds of hay per acre on
the average, depending upon the age of the sod.

POTATOES

Early Ohio potatoes are grown in two 4-year rotations. The
potatoes are planted on spring-plowed ground following wheat in one
rotation and oats in the other. There has been no marked difference
in the results following the two crops. The vields have ranged from
50 to 180 bushels per acre, with average yields between 100 and 110
bushels per acre. In 1921 the potatoes were of poor quality, and
only approximately 25 per cent was fit for table use.

SORGO

Sorgo, as a forage crop, appears in one 3-year rotation. The
average yield for the eight years 1915-1922 was 3,264 pounds per
acre, which is less than that of the same variety (Dakota Amber)
in the variety tests, which usually have been sown on spring-plowed
ground. Corn in a similar 3-year rotation yielded less than the sorgo
during the dry years 1919, 1920, and 1921, but exceeded the sorgo in
yield the other years and averaged better for the eight years.

GREEN-MANURE CROPS

Sweet clover, winter rye, and peas are grown in different four-year
rotations and plowed under for green manure in preparation for both
wheat and oats: Peas are sown on fall plowing, following both oats
and wheat; winter rye is drilled into both oats and wheat stubble:
and sweet clover is sown on disked corn ground with both oats and
wheat as nurse crops. Crops of both winter rye and peas were
plowed under each year. Sweet clover produced no crop two years,
and only a very light yield two other years. These failures and
partial failures were due to drought and winterkilling.

EXPERIMENTS WITH FORAGE CROPS

Investigations of forage-crop production have been conducted since
the station was established. Different groups or classes of forage
crops and different varieties of the same crop have been under trial.
The investigations were conducted in cooperation with the Office of
Alkali and Drought Resistant Plant Investigations of the Bureau of
Plant Industry from 1914 to 1920, inclusive. A. C. Dillman, for-

a8 BULLETIN 1301, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

merly physiologist in that office, was in charge of the field experi-
ments, and was stationed at Mandan in 1919 and 1920. During 1921
the trials were continued by the Office of Dry-Land Agriculture
Investigations without cooperation. In 1922 the work was in coop-
eration with the Office of Forage-Crop Investigations under the field
supervision of H. L. Westover.*®

ALFALFA AND SWEET CLOVER

Alfalfa probably is the most valuable hay crop that can be grown
in this area, because it yields well and makes hay of high feeding
value. The severe winters which sometimes occur necessitate the
use of hardy varieties. A combination of severe conditions occa-
sionally kills even these, but this does not occur often enough to
destroy the value of alfalfa as a hay crop for this area. During the
winter of 1919-20, all varieties of alfalfa at the station completely
winterkilled except the yellow-flowered variety (Medicago falcata),
which was 30 per cent killed. This extensive winterkilling was prob-
ably because of the dry summer and fall of 1919 and the unusual
weather conditions early in the winter. Alfalfa that was located
along a coulee and protected by snow did not winterkill.

Table 21 gives the yields of alfalfa, sweet clover, and a mixture of
alfalfa and bromegrass for the years these were grown (1914 to 1922,
inclusive). In 1915 alfalfa was seeded on native sod broken the
previous summer, and a light crop was harvested. During each of
the other years until it winterkilled in 1919-20, two crops were
harvested. The alfalfa was seeded in drills 6 inches apart and in
rows 42 inches apart. The average difference in yield was slight.
The hay from the rows was coarser and contained considerable dirt.
The rows also required cultivation two or three times during the sea-
son. The hay from the drilled plat was free from dirt, and the only
labor in connection with it was harvesting.

TABLE 21.—Yields of field-cured alfalfa, sweet clover, and mixed alfalfa and brome
grass hay at the Northern Great Plains Field Station, 1914-1922, inclusive

{ Where no yields are recorded it is because a stand was not obtained during the previous season or because
of winterkilling]

Yields per acre (pounds)

ay, caveat yo Seeding
Crop and variety Ter -
1914 1915 1916 | 1917 | 1918 | 1919 | 1920 | 1921 : 1922
Alfalfa:
Grimms 5 22 eee eae Drilled (aes 8,350! 3,900) 4,610} 3, 640}__-- -_|------|_--=_-
DOS OB RY ee ows. _. | ae 6, 350) 4, 750) 5,290) 3; 880)" = | ee eee
Sweet clover: 3
Wiiite= ss! Saar se ee! Drilled__-_] 2 200)_--._- 504.50] ee A) ee ESS Lee Uae Ses 22e
DQ Seer See ee OE Rows... |-2500 2 1.600) 1,300) 222 a 2 470) 4-215) =
Wellow2 eit 2 tee: wee ee ae Drilled see ee ee 227301" oe 15730}
WG! cee oh, Sa ee eee Rows... meee ee ea eee 3; 390)) 22 4 AND 2
Alfalfa and brome grass mixture __| Drilled____|______ 2,800) 6,950; 2,350) 2, 700) 3, 520)-_---_}------ paar

Alfalfa in the ordinary tests was sown without a nurse crop at the
rate of 5 to 8 pounds per acre in drills 6 inches apart. When sown
in rows 42 inches apart, the rate of seeding was approximately 1 pound
per acre. The seeding was done with a grain drill having a grass-
seeder attachment. With seed of high quality and a favorable season

10 This report of the experiments with forage crops was prepared by J. T. Sarvis and approved by A. C.
Dillman and H. L. Westover.

NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS FIELD STATION, 1913-1922 59

the lighter rate of seeding has been entirely satisfactory, but under
ordinary conditions 7 or 8 pounds per acre seems to be better. This
should be sown with a grain drill from the grass-seeder attachment,
and without a nurse crop. Alfalfa has been sown fairly early at the
station, or soon after wheat seeding. Early seeding is desirable on
clean ground, but if the ground is likely to become weedy seeding

should be delayed and the land cultivated to kill the weeds. :

Different nurse crops, such as wheat, oats, barley, and flax, have
been sown with alfalfa. During the period of dry seasons the stands
with nurse crops were not satisfactory. In order to insure a stand,
alfalfa should be sown alone, as the chances are against obtaining a
‘stand with any nurse crop. Alfalfa is too valuable a crop not to give
it the best possible chance for success.

The seedings of alfalfa at the station in 1920 were a failure. This
was because of the dry season and weeds. In 1921 a satisfactory
stand of alfalfa was obtained, but was lost by winterkilling. The
weeds, especially Russian thistles, came up very thick. They were
not cut during the season. This is usually the best plan to follow,
and a good rule to keep in mind is “‘ to sow alfalfa alone and leave it
alone during the first season.”” If weeds grow thick during the season,
they should be burned if possible early in the spring of the next season,
or raked into bunches and hauled off the field.

The average yield of alfalfa hay for the 4-year period 1916-1919
was approximately 24% tons per acre, which is higher than the yield
of any other forage crop shown in Table 21. Alfalfa produced a
greater tonnage in four seasons than either brome grass or the wheat
grasses did in seven.

Many varieties of alfalfa have been tried out for varying periods.
Some varieties winterkill even in mild winters. Some varieties have
winterkilled to the extent of more than 50 per cent during a winter
when Grimm alfalfa showed no winterkilling. The details of the
results with the different varieties can not be included in this report.

Sweet clover has been under trial since the station was started.
The results obtained have not been entirely satisfactory, as it has not
always been possible to get a stand because of drought and weeds, and
sometimes it winterkills. The ordinary white sweet clover ( Melilotus
alba) has winterkilled to some extent during most of the winters.
Yellow sweet clover (MV. officinalis) was first sown in 1918. It does
not winterkill as much as white sweet clover. In two different four-
year rotations sweetclover has been seeded on disked corn ground
with wheat and oats as nurse crops in the rotation and the tillage
methods of the Office of Dry-Land Agriculture Investigations. In
these rotations the sweetclover is turned under for green manure.
There was a growth to turn under each year from 1915 to 1922, inclu-
Slve, except in 1921 and 1922 because of drought and winterkilling.
Ordinary white sweet clover was used in these rotations.

Sweetclover when cut for hay normally lives but two seasons.
Therefore, for continuous hay production, it must be seeded every
year. In this region it usually produces only a light crop or no crop
at all the season itissown. Since sweet clover normally lives but two
seasons, it is usually sown with a nurse crop of wheat, oats, or flax.
A better stand is generally obtained under dry-land conditions when
it is sown alone at the rate of 10 to 15 pounds per acre, but this requires
the use of the land for two years for one crop of hay, and a stand Is

60 BULLETIN 1301, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

no more readily obtained than :s a stand of alfalfa, which remains
productive for a longer time.

Sweet clover, it seems, should be a secondary crop in a region where
alfalfa can be grown successfully. It has not been equal to alfalfa in
vield or quality of hay in any year at the station at Mandan. During
the pene 1915-1919, inclusive, alfalfa was seeded once for eight
crops (two cuttings each season), and sweet clover was seeded four
times for four crops.

The yields for 1914 shown in Table 21 were from plantings made
that spring. No yields were recorded for 1915, as the 1914 seeding
winterkilled and was plowed up in the spring. Where no yields of
sweetclover are recorded in Table 21, it is because a stand was not
obtaimed during the previous season or because of winterkilling.

ALFALFA AND GRASS MIXTURES

In Table 21 yieids of an alfalfa and brome-grass mixture are shown.
The hay was of excellent quality. The yields were lower than those
from alfalfa alone, because brome grass gradually crowds out the
alfalfa.

A mixture of alfalfa, brome grass, and crested wheat grass was
seeded in a field along a coulee in 1919, and the alfalfa did not winter-
kill in 1919-20. The rate of seeding was approximately 4 pounds of
alfalfa, 6 pounds of brome grass, and 6 pounds of crested wheat grass,
to the acre. The yields were about the same as those from the alfalfa

and brome-grass mixture.
PERENNIAL GRASSES

Table 22 presents the yields produced by smooth brome grass
(Bromus mermis), crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum), slender
wheat grass a tenerum), and western wheat grass (A. smitha). The
main point of interest is the yield of crested wheat grass, which has
been higher than that of any of the others. Crested wheat OTass 1S
a bunch erass brought into this country from Siberia some years ago
by the United States Department of Agriculture. It has been grown
at a number of field stations, and during recent years its value as a
hay crop has compared favorably with brome grass and other wheat
grasses. Crested wheat grass produces seed of high quality. It
can be sown with a drill the same as wheat. It has been sown at the
station in rows 42 inches apart. It has also been sown in drills 6
inches apart, 10 to 15 pounds per acre, but no yield records are avail-
able from the drilled plats.

Table 22 shows that the average yield of crested wheat grass was
higher than that of brome grass or the other wheat grasses. Tt makes
hay of high quality that is readily eaten by stock. Crested wheat erass
at Mandan starts growth early in the spring, usually a few days before
brome grass, but after it has matured one crop it does not grow any
more until fall, when it usually makes some growth which would be
of value for pasture.

Brome grass is the cultivated grass most commonly grown. It
produces fair crops of hay‘ when first sown, but soon becomes sod-
bound and low yielding. It has been sown at the rate of 10 to 15
pounds to the acre, usually by hand or by mixing it with grain. It
does not seed readily with a grain drill, but an agitator attachment
that makes the grain drill handle brome €-8Tass Sec ‘dina satisfactory
manner has been made and used at the station.

NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS FIELD STATION, 1913-1922 61

TaBLE 22.—Yields of perennial grasses at the Northern Great Plains Field Station
for the 7-year period, 1916-1922, inclusive

Yields per acre (pounds)

Brome grass:

PEUO WSS ere es ote rts ee | 4, 980 2, 910 2, 490 2, 120 470 | 1, 240 1, 380 2, 227 3, 125

Drilledes ers a ee Ae | 4,900] 1,350} 1,450{ 1,500 440 | 1,800 | 1,600| 1,863] 2,300
Crested wheat grass | |

FROW Sas semete ee sto WP 3,500 | 3,200} 3,200/ 3,080 TP TES hs Te OOM ea i Beats
Slender wheat grass: ? | | | |

VOWS oes he se Se ENS os. 1, 450 1, 900 1,800 | 2,340 | S20) Pl 0c0R Bea vee ed Sito

| i | |

1 Average of 4 plats, 1916 to 1921, inclusive; average of 3 plats in 1922
2 This grass was completely dead by the spring of 1920.
3 This grass was seeded in rows which soon grew together. It was discontinued at the end of 1921.

Slender wheat grass is on the market under the name of western
rye grass. It is a short-lived perennial bunch grass. It killed out
here during the winter of TOO 20 lat does not live under normal
conditions more than five or six years. Slender wheat grass can be
sown with a grain drill at the rate of from 10 to 15 pounds: per acre.

W estern Ww vheat orass is the common ‘‘wheat grass” or “‘blue-
joint” of the plains. It is a valuable hay grass and yields well in
native stands in the lower places. It does not lend itself to cultiva-
tion. The seed is low in germination and is not known to be on the
market. Western wheat-grass was sown in rows, but it soon spread
into a solid mat by means ; of its rootstocks.

MILLET

Different varieties of millet were grown from 1914 to 1920, in-
elusive. Millet makes good hay. It can be seeded late. It is val-
uable as a catch crop. Im case of an early failure of some crop,
millet can usually be sown. The millet varieties were sown here
with a grain drill at the rate of 15 pounds per acre during the latter
part of May or the first week in June.

TaBLe 23.—YVields of field-cured hay from drilled plats of seven varieties of millet.
Dakota Amber sorgo, Sudan grass, and proso at the Northern Great Plains
Field Station for the 7-year period, 1914-1920, inclusive

Yields per acre (pounds)

Millet: | | | |

Dakota Kursk_-_____- 4,300 | 4,800} 6,260] 1,510} 5,320! 2,97 2, 365 3, 932 3, 871
Sion Ses ees 4,300 | 4, 230 6, 330 | 2,010 4,970 ; 3,095 3, 410 4, 049 4,008
Goldeviinespsrs sss) a. ee 3. 700 7, 100 1, 460 4,270 | 4,200 269 Oia ee 3, 904
Eun ganiane= se 3, 300 | 3,900 | 5,860; 1,100] 3,710] 4,450 1,595 3, 416 3, 436
KUTSkK INOS 5222-2 4, 240 4,470 | 6,720 1, 650 3,220 | 2,670 2, 200 3, 596 3, 488
Commons 3er4. =: 3, 000 2,800 | 5,500 1, 930 3, 990 | 2,120 1, 980 3, 046 3, 053
Golden (German) ___|______.-| 6,230 | 10,000 1, 650 2,380 | 3,430 Py COO week ere 4, 242
Dakota Amber sorgo_-____ G2 760nn sD S00 1er6: 5308) 1320) |peas 550) 1) 55560! 915/265 4, 469 4, O88
Siidanvorassas so 3, 140 2, 730 3, 380 1, 65 2, 940 3, 310 1, 265 2, 631 2, 546
2,560 | 1,460 1, 060 2, 090 2, 587 2, 595

Proso: Early Fortune_-_-| 3,080 2,690! 5,170

62 BULLETIN 1301, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

In Table 23 are shown the yields of millet from drilled plats, as
compared with Dakota Amber sorgo and Sudan grass seeded in the
same manner. The Golden (German) millet has produced the high-
est yield. It was very late, however, and the hay was very coarse.
The Dakota Kursk and the Siberian varieties make better hay and
are earlier than the Golden. The broomcorn, or hog millet (proso),
produced the lowest yields, and the hay was inferior. Sorgo sown in:
drills made the highest yield, and the hay was of good quality.

SORGHUMS AND CORN

A number of varieties of sorghum have been grown in rows for
comparison with corn. This area is too far north for sorghums to:
produce to the best advantage. The highest average yield of sor-
ehum at Mandan has been but shghtly higher than the lowest average:
yield at Ardmore, S. Dak.

The sorghums were planted at the rate of approximately $8 pounds
per acre in rows 42 or 44 inches apart. They were on spring-plowed
ground after small grain, except in 1914 and 1915, when they were
on native sod broken the previous season. Sorghum varieties were
not planted in 1921.

Table 24 shows the yields of sorghum varieties, corn, and Sudan
grass. The highest yield per acre was produced by Red Amber
sorgo, and the lowest yields by Sudan grass, feterita, and kaoliang.
Red Amber sorgo usually does not mature at Mandan, although it
makes very good fodder. Its feeding value would no doubt be ex-
ceeded. by corn, which produces fewer tons per acre. Dakota Amber
sorgo is a very early variety and can usually be depended upon to
mature seed. It is, no doubt, the best forage sorghum for this area.
Sudan grass makes excellent hay, but its vield has been so low that it
does not compare favorably with the other crops. A few acres of
sorgo on a farm provides a valuable variety in the forage. Sorgo is
readily eaten by stock, especially horses.

TaBLE 24.—Yields of sorghum, corn, and Sudan grass (grown in rows) at the North-
ern Great Plains Field Station during the 9-year period, 1914-1922, inclusive

Yields per acre (pounds)

Crop and variety | | | | Aver-

| 1914 | 1915 | 1916 | 1917 | 1918 | 1919 | 1920 | 19211 1922 | a8e for

| | grown

Sorghum: | | |

Dakota Ambers2222222.28 5, 680 | 2,700 | 4,880} 1,410 | 3,300 | 3,085 | 2,660 | 4,850 | 3, 105 | 3, 519:
Minnesota Amber-_-_--_--- 6, 370 | 1,830 | 4,160 | 3,220 | 4,240 | 4,115 | 2,950 |_______ | 6,345 | 4, 154
RedsAum bers aes see nee 7,040 | 3,760 | 7,430 | 3,100 | 4,240 | 4,880 | 2,080 |______- | 6,705 | 4, 898
TRGYOV Ue avers see iN Ee ne ee Sa 2,160 | 4,410 | 2,700 | 2,330 |______- DSA Sl ape ee res 2, 669
etenita seer teem 0 erage 2a) eer r ea 27180)) 3; GSOR mi GIOe 2a OGOR 3 (1 of Baers eee |Seeaenes | 2, 809
Corn: Northwestern Dent_-__| 4,210 | 4,070 | 4,770 | 3, 760 | 4,300 | 2,560 | 2,000 | 3,050 | 5, 130 | 3, 761
SUT GL ATI TAS S cea oe ee ea | 3, 215 | 1, 830 | 4,180] 1,460 | 4,950} 2,560 | 1,110 |_______ 3,645 | 2, 869

1 Yields from Dakota Amber sorgo and corn on spring plowing in rotation plats.
2 Very low stand; yield not included in average.

SILAGE CROPS

Corn, sunflowers, and sorgos have been grown in a silage test for
two years. Sorgo has produced the highest silage weight per acre.
Both corn and sorgo have exceeded sunflowers in weight of dry
matter per acre. Corn usually produces enough ears in this section

NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS FIELD STATION, 1913-1922 63

to make it exceed any of the other silage crops in feeding value.
On the average, corn perhaps is the best forage crop for either fodder
or silage.
OTHER FORAGE CROPS

A number of other forage crops, such as field peas, rape, chick-
peas, vetch, soy beans, and cowpeas, have been grown. None of
these produced yields that compared favorably with the millets,
sorgos, or alfalfa.

SUMMARY OF FORAGE-CROP EXPERIMENTS

Alfalfa is the best legume hay that has been grown at the station.
Only hardy varieties should be grown, as common alfalfa ordinarily
will winterkill in this area, and during a combination of severe con-
ditions even the most hardy varieties may be killed.

Sweetclover does not yield on the average as much as alfalfa. It
winterkills, to some extent, nearly every year. It is difficult under
dry-land conditions to get a stand of sweetclover, and it must be
seeded every year.

Brome grass produces good hay, but does not yield as heavily as
crested wheatgrass, which produces hay of high quality.

Millets are of value as crops that can be sown late. Dakota
Kursk, Siberian, and Gold Mine, are the best varieties for this area.
They may be exceeded in yield, in favorable seasons, by later-growing
varieties, but the coarse hay from these latter is of inferior quality.

Corn and sorgo have been grown for both fodder and silage. Red
Amber sorgo has produced. the highest yield per acre. It is no
doubt surpassed by corn in feeding value. Dakota Amber sorgo has
matured regularly, and is the most satisfactory forage sorghum for
conditions similar to those in this region. Sudan grass makes a
fodder of good quality, but its yield is low.

VARIETAL TESTS WITH CORN

Varietal tests with corn have been conducted in cooperation with
the Office of Cereal Investigations during the eight-year period from
1915 to 1922, inclusive. Twelve flint and 18 dent varieties have been
involved in these tests.

During the three years 1915-1917 the varieties of corn were on
heavy soil in the south field. From 1918 to 1922, inclusive, they
were on light soil in field M, which adjoins the main field in which the
crop rotations are located. The crop-rotation results show the
lighter soil to be the better for corn. According to those results
yields would have been obtained in 1917 if the varieties had been on
the lghter soil that year.

The varietal tests usually have been on spring-plowed ground
following small grains. The cultural methods have been the same
as in the crop-rotation work. The planting has been done with a
two-horse planter, the rows being drilled 44 inches apart and the
plants thinned to 18 inches apart in the row. Planting dates have
been confined to narrow limits, from May 18 to May 23, an extreme
range of five days in the eight years. The harvesting, in most cases,
was done with a corn binder. In 1921 the flint varieties were so
short that it was necessary to cut them by hand, and in 1922 all
varieties were husked from the standing stalks.

64 BULLETIN 1301, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Notes on maturity are not in any way complete, but it appears that
on the whole, the flints are earlier than the dents. The flints are
mostly low-growing and have a tendency to sucker freely, whereas
the dents grow t taller and are more or less free from suckers. These
differences affect the ease with which each group may be harvested.
The dent varieties, as a group, are harvested readily with a corn
binder; but the flint varieties, with the exception of some of the
late ones, such as Mercer and Rainbow, are difficult to harvest in
this way.

The annual and average yields of the varieties of corn that have
been grown from six to eight years are viven in Table 25. This list
includes all the higher yielding of the best adapted varieties.

The best-yielding flint varieties are Dakota White, Gehu, and
White Ree. These are also the earliest of the flints. There is so
little difference in the yield of these three varieties that it is impos-
sible to state that one is superior to the others in yield of grain.
Nine other flint varieties have been tested for periods varying “from
one to three years. Among the later varieties which are regarded well
farther east and south are Mercer and Rainbow, but these have not
compared well with the earlier varieties in production of grain.

The leading dent varieties in production of ear corn are North-
western, Payne White, Minnesota No. 13, and Rustler. For this
section the first two may be considered as medium-early varieties
and the last two as medium-late varieties. The Northwestern dent
under trial was the local-station strain described in connection with
the rotation and tillage work. Itis perhaps one of the most depend-
able dents for this section and has the highest average yield of any of
the dent varieties tested. Minnesota No. 23 is one of the earliest
dents but has not proved to be a good yielder. Of the medium-late
varieties Minnesota No. 13 is perhaps the most popular in this sec-
tion. It grows to more than average height, the ears are high, and
it is practically free from suckers.

The highest yielding variety of flint has an 8-year-average acre
yield of 25.8 bushels cae the highest yielding variety of dent an
average of 23.5 bushels for the same period.

The yields of fodder or stover have not always been determined in
these trials. The incomplete records show yields as high as 3 tons of
field-cured fodder per acre. The highest yields of fodder generally
have been from the flints.

TaBLe 25.—Yields of ear corn of the varieties tested at the Northern Great Plains
Field Station six or more years during the 8-year period, 1915-1922, inclusive

Yields per acre (bushels)

Group and variety | | | | Caveat eS year
| | aver- | aver-
| 1915 | 1916 | 1917 | 1918 4919 | 1920 | 1921 | 1922 | age, age,
| | | | | 1917 to | 1915 to
| 1922 1922
re =~ — = ee — | | |- = | | ie =
Flint: | | | | |
IDO, MAYO Se se foo ooe | 20.0 | 36.8 0 | 38.0 | 26.8 | 23.1 | 26.7 | 35.0} 24.9 25. 8
Geli ie ease ae oes lane ..| 16.6 | 38.0 0 | 31.8 | 24.5 | W718) | 2655) dono 22.7 23. 8
WilniGenRe elses se seme eens aoe Wen 94 | eae 0 | 35.7 | 25.5 | 18.0 | 25.2 | 35.3 23505 | Soe
Dent: | | | | |
INoTEWwestenn ease seer eee se | 21.5 | 27.1 0 | 38.2 | 26.1 | 12.3 | 30.5 | 37.0 23. 2 23. 5
Rustler’: tess aes: so eee eae 29.5 | 33803 0.) 19.7 °) 20:0 | 15.7 | 25.2 | 23.4 17.3 20. 9
Rayne Wihiitees apes e es eee sese se | ee ON 2852) 830! 3)| SHO oO ln 20 4a | ieee 2) eee
Minnesota None Se siaes: ie irae st |i O! 1.22.16) 2307 |) (8cTe e207 SIR Sel ee Ieee eae ee
Mabyabaves(onres INI@s; AA eee Soe ee ee ae (@) Ta US Yh = ie | IOS 1 PAL & HS Fea Spe Seen

NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS FIELD STATION, 1913-1922 65

SOIL-MOISTURE INVESTIGATIONS

Limitation of the available water supply being the chief factor in
the control of yields in this section, soil-moisture investigations have
been an integral and important part of the work throughout. These
investigations have been for the purpose of determining the effects
of cropping and cultural practices on the storage and retention of
water in the soil, to determine to what extent differences in yields
from different cultural practices were due to differences in the water
supply afforded by them, and to learn the fundamental principles of
water storage and use in dry farming. This work is correlated with
similar work at the other field stations of the Office of Dry-Land
Agriculture Investigations.

A total of about 9,000 determinations of soil moisture has been
made in connection with the agronomic work of the station. The
results will not be discussed in this report.

INVESTIGATIONS WITH FLAX AND CEREALS !

The flax and cereal investigations at the Northern Great Plains Field
Station consist of varietal and cultural experiments, including stud-
ies of dates and rates of seeding and the breeding and selection of
superior ‘varieties. This work is conducted cooperatively by the
Office of Cereal Investigations and the Office of Dry-Land Agricul-
ture Investigations. Experiments with flax were begun in 1914,
and experiments with wheat, oats, and barley were added in 1916.

EXPERIMENTS WITH FLAX

The seed-flax crop of the United States is grown in about the same
area as hard red spring wheat, including North Dakota, Minnesota,
northeastern South Dakota, and northeastern Montana. This sta-
tion is in the west-central part of this area, and the results of inves-
tigations with flax are believed to be applicable over a large part of
the flaxseed-producing area.

FLAX ON BREAKING

Flax is still grown to a large extent as the first crop on newly
broken sod lands. On sod, flax does better than most other farm
crops. The experimental flax plats at the station were on breaking
for three consecutive years, 1914, 1915, and 1916. The results of
these experiments were published in 1920.”

These experiments were conducted under unusually favorable con-
ditions of soil and rainfall, and the yields obtained were nearer the
optimum to be expected than the average.

The land used for the experiments in 1914, 1915, and 1916 was
broken and backset the previous year in each case. This treatment
provided almost ideal conditions for flax, as the soil was free from
weeds, moisture was stored, and the sod was partly rotted so that a
good seed bed could be prepared.

Two types of flax are grown commonly for seed production: (1)
The European seed-flax type, having blue flowers, large branched
stems, and large brown seeds; and (2) the short-fiber type, having

11 By J C. Brinsmade, jr., Assistant Agronomist, Office of Cereal Investigations.
12 Clark, Charles H. Experiments with flax on breaking. U.S. Dept. Agr .Bul. 883, 29 p., 3 fig. 1920.

roe nr

66 BULLETIN 1301, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

blue flowers, finer stems, and small brown seeds. The latter type is
represented by North Dakota Resistant (N. D. R.) No. 114 (C. 1.
No. 18), and Primost (C. I.-No. 12), which are both more or less
resistant to flax wilt. The European seed type includes most. of
the named varieties and the common unnamed flax of the seed-flax
area. |

Detailed data on yield, agronomic characters, and oil production
of 14 varieties of flax grown on breaking at Mandan in 1914, 1915,
and 1916 are presented in Department Bulletin No. 883. All varie-
ties of the EHuropean seed-flax type yielded better than the short-
fiber varieties. The leading variety, Reserve (C. I. No. 19), averaged
17 bushels to the acre, with an average oil yield of 342 pounds to
the acre. Select Riga (C. I. No. 2), with practically the same yield
of seed, showed a higher oil content, averaging 354 pounds of oil to
the acre. Damont (C. I. No. 3), Select Russian (C. I. No. 1), and
Frontier (C. I. No. 17) produced practically the same yields of seed
and oil as Reserve. North Dakota Resistant No. 114 averaged only
12.2 bushels to the acre, with 233 pounds of oil. The yield of Pri-
most was still lower. Varieties of the seed-flax type are best adapted
to new lands. :

In two years out of three a seeding rate of 20 pounds per acre

roduced shghtly better results than either a higher or lower rate,

ut the results of the experiment are not conclusive. On a well-
prepared seed bed under semiarid conditions, there appears to-be no
advantage in seeding at a heavier rate than 20 pounds.

Ixperiments indicate an advantage in early seeding on clean new
lands, although results of three seasons do not furnish sufficient data
to warrant definite conclusions. The highest average yields were
obtained from seedings between May 1 and May 18. Seedings on
June 1, 1914, and on June 15, 1916, made decidedly lower yields
than earlier seeding in each of these years.

FLAX ON OLD GROUND

The flax experiments at this station have been modified since 1916
to meet the problems of weed control and flax diseases, especially
flax wilt, which are becoming of increasing importance on the older-
cultivated lands. Experiments in different methods of tillage have
been conducted to determine the best methods of weed control.
Extensive plant-breeding operations also have been carried on to
develop high-yielding wilt-resistant varieties.

During the years 1917-1922 in which the flax experiments were
on old land, climatic conditions were exceptionally unfavorable.
The previous treatment and preparation of the land for the plat experi-
ments were not the same every year. In two seasons the flax
varietal experiments were on fallow ground; two seasons they fol-
lowed corn; one season they followed potatoes; and one season they
followed sorgo. The land often was very weedy, as the dry seasons
favored the growth of Russian thistles. In some cases the experi-
ments were on land that previously had been cropped to flax. The
land generally was double-disked and harrowed just before seeding
in the spring. The previous cropping and treatment were essen-
tially the same for all plats in each experiment in any one year.

13 Accession number of the Office of Cereal Investigations.

NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS FIELD STATION, 1913-1922 67

The results from the flax varietal experiments in the years 1914—
1916 show what may be expected of flax on breaking under favorable
conditions. The results from the flax varietal experiments from 1917
to 1922, inclusive, indicate what may be expected of flax on old land
under exceptionally dry conditions. The average acre yield of all
varieties on breaking during 1914, 1915, and 1916 was 14.8 bushels.
The average acre yield of all varieties grown on old land in the years
1917 to 1922, inclusive, was 4.1 bushels. The season of 1921, when
the crop was a total failure, is included in this average.

The average acre yields of five varieties for the 6-year period from
1917 to 1922, inclusive, were as follows: Reserve (C. I. No. 19)
4.5 bushels; Damont (C. I. No. 3) 4.3 bushels; North Dakota Resist-
ant No. 52 (C. I. No. 8) 4.0 bushels; North Dakota Resistant No. 114
(C. I. No. 13) 3.9 bushels; and, Primost (C. I. No. 12) 3.8 bushels.
The large-seeded varieties, Reserve and Damont, again yielded better
than the small-seeded varieties, North Dakota Resistant No. 114
and Primost.

A rate-of-seeding experiment similar to that on breaking was con-
ducted on old land during the years 1917-1921. On account of the
dry seasons, the differences in yield were not large enough to be signifi-
cant. The results indicate, however, that on a loose seed bed on old
land slightly better yields may be expected from seeding 25 pounds
per acre than from less.

Experiments on the date of seeding flax on old land have indicated
the advantage in dry seasons of giving the land thorough cultivation
with a disk harrow before seeding, in order to destroy weeds, espe-
cially the Russianthistle, which is the worst weed in the dry-land
area. Plats disked twice or three times at intervals of two weeks
between cultivations and sown May 15 or June 1 were more free
from weeds and the yield of seed was higher than from plats disked
only once and sown April 15 or May 1.

experiments with flax grown continuously on the same land have
indicated that North Dakota Resistant No. 114 can be depended
upon to produce a crop on flax-sick soil.

Investigations with flax canker have indicated that excessive heat
will girdle the plants at the soil line, causing them to fall over and
die. This subject is treated fully in Department Bulletin No. 1120."

Flax varieties obtained from many parts of the world have been
grown in nursery rows and classified according to height, earliness,
type of plant, resistance to wilt, yield of seed, and other charac-
ters. These nurseries have furnished valuable material for breeding
new flax varieties.

FLAX AND CEREAL MIXTURES

Experiments in growing flax in mixture with wheat, oats, and barley
were carried on in 1917 and 1918. A fair yield of the mixed crop was
obtained in 1917. In 1918 the flax was a failure both in mixture and
where sown alone. The mixture of flax with Marquis spring wheat
gave better results than the mixture of flax with oats or, barley.
The yield of the mixed crop in 1917 was 1.5 bushels of flax plus 9.9
bushels of wheat, as compared with 7.2 bushels of flax alone and
13.3 bushels of wheat alone.

14 Reddy, C. S., and W. E. Brentzel. Investigations of heat canker of flax. U.S. Dept. Agr. Bul.
1120, 18 p., 4 fig., 5 pl. 1922. (Literature cited, p. 17-18.)

68 BULLETIN 1301, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

EXPERIMENTS WITH CEREALS
EXPERIMENTAL CONDITIONS

It is important to determine what varieties of cereals are best
adapted to the locality. In crop-rotation experiments a single
variety of each crop is grown under different rotation and tillage
methods to determine the best farm practice in soil preparation.
In varietal experiments with cereals different varieties are grown under
the same soil conditions to determine the best variety for the locality.
Varietal experiments with wheat, oats, and barley were begun at
Mandan in 1916. The previous treatment of the land varied in dif-
ferent years. The wheat varietal experiments in 1916 were sown on
flax land plowed the previous fall; in 1917 they were sown on spring-
plowed cornland, in 1918 on breaking, in 1919 after corn, in 1920
after millet, and in 1921 and in 1922 after corn. The land in every
case was double-disked and harrowed in the spring before seeding.

The oat and barley varieties in.1916 were sown on fall-plowed flax
land, in 1917 on breaking, in 1918 on fallow, in 1919 after sorgo and
millet grown in cultivated rows, in 1920 after sorgo grown 1n culti-
vated rows, in 1921 after Llamantia in rows, the ground having been
plowed early in the fall; and in 1922 after sunflowers, sorgo, and corn
erown in cultivated rows. The land was double-disked and harrowed
before seeding each year, except in 1920, when a spring-tooth harrow
was used to stir the soil. Although the previous crop and prepara-
tion of the soil varied from year to year, all varieties in each experi-
ment received the same treatment.

EXPERIMENTS WITH WHEAT

Annual and average yields of the spring-wheat varieties grown in
plats from 1916 to 1932, inclusive, are shown in Table 26. Four

varieties of common wheat, Marquis, Preston, Power, and Haynes
Bluestem, and two amber durum varieties, Kubanka No. 8 and
Arnautka, were grown each year from 1916 to 1921, inclusive.
TABLE 26.—Annual and average yields of varieties of spring wheat grown at the

Northern Great Plains Field Station during the 7-year period, 1916 to 1922,
inclusive

Yields per acre (bushels)- Average

1916 1920 1991
1916.} 1917 } 1918 | 1919 | 1920 | 1921 | 1922 | to to and
| 1922 ; 1922 | 1922

Class, group, and variety ee

Fife. HARD RED SPRING
[poll a Se 2AS Osis; Zola 10

IMP RRO ee Se ae ee ES 3641 | 12.5 Sse ls Oneh lag 9.4 10.3
ROWE sen foe eee 3697 8530] 48g 2807 |) (351 S22 IS aise ost te6 9.5 10. 2
RedJBODS ae ae eee ee eae 6255. |) 2-22 | ee ee ee te oe a ee 5.1L. 15203 OF eee ee 12.6
RUDY ee aan ee GO4 T= ee es ere ic oe eee aes 4595 16:41 Ae 10. 7
Bluestem:
El aynes eae ees tee 2874, || S655 elOssa let LLG! OsSul i ee Met fy Ses! Cee
Preston
KCOLAE= 2270S is FER Res Sh G248 i AC Se ees UE pe ee 9.2 4. 4ut 18: Gare 10.7 18 ess
IBReStOM: == ee ee ee 3081 9.7 | 13.8 | 19:9 } 14.4 7.8 582> | IVE Oe bela tee ees 11.4
Miscellaneous: |
Hard Federation ------_-----| ATM oa [pests Sen Oe aed ee SRE 6:7 |Site eee Fehrs:
Kubanka: DURUM | | |
BAN CTT Ge Be care cee te eet NM 52845) = eee ese eee 15.6 OO [we Oe if Tsk Gy | ee = = Fe LavQn 7 ah ee
FADIA Comoe pe Ome am Backs 4064 | 11.4 | 13.6 | 24.8 | 10.9 6279 383 telG2 Obie oe: 8.7 9.7
iKarbankal 224 8s eee rare 440) |e: see 22 eee eS | Ce peed yee es 1) 4. O5)/105.6t ee as ee } 11.8
Korbankaunionic 242 eee. es 4063" | 132911255 23.2, | 1059 dos 4.3 | 20.0 ; 13.2} 10.5 |} 12.2
iulbanka INo. 74 2 2 SNe |e. ee ee CE ESE CL Oe ee Ng pe eames! estes
Mind urmpy sesame eee oe 0296". || 2 eee [ee TES GIS | ee een Rei Bes 19/92 = eee ee ae
VIO MAG eke eee See cere Sree 3320 |... 3s ee ee el 6.89] P47 ao0 NS bees OSG 1. 12-5ee
INodake (harbankaaiNor98)ee al Oo) Oli): ae | eee eee pa TS Pare iat: Caer fa tens Oe ps Se (aes 12.0
Peliss:
IP GLISSe eee eta ne Sy. ney oneness HOSS: "| _2 55 | aes ee eee een | oe [F35.. ad Gh oajaee | eee 10 By.

NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS FIELD STATION, 1913-1922 69

Kubanka No. 8, a pure-line selection from Kubanka, leads all
varieties in the seven-year average yield. Marquis ranks second,
leading all the other varieties of common wheat. The differences
in yield are not large enough to have much significance. Kota,
an awned rust-resistant variety of spring common wheat, first
included in the experiments in 1920, outyielded all other varieties
in that year.” It is of good milling and baking qualities, is rather
resistant to drought, but has weak straw. Haynes Bluestem gave
the lowest vield “nearly every year and was discarded after 1921.
The relatively low yield of Haynes Bluestem is typical of the results
obtained by farmers in the vicinity of Mandan.

EXPERIMENTS WITH OATS

Yields of six varieties of oats grown from 1916 to 1922, inclusive,
are shown in Table 27. Fair yields were obtained every year except
1921, when all varieties except Sixty-Day failed to mature any grain.
Sixty-Day is a short, early, yellow oat well adapted to North Dakota.
Golden Rain is a yellow oat about 4 to 8 inches taller and a week or
10 days later than Sixty-Day. It has produced the highest average
yield during the seven-year period. Victory, a white oat of about
the same height and time of maturity as Golden Rain, is second in
average yield. This variety, because of its color, is preferred by
many “farmers as a market grain. Both Golden Rain and Victory
produced considerably more straw than Sixty-Day. Swedish Select
is a white oat slightly shorter and earlier than Victory but not con-
sistently as good a yielder.

White Tartar (White Russian), a white side oat ripening a week
or 10 days later than the midseason varieties, has produced the low-
est yield in four out of seven years. Its average acre yield for the
seven-year period has been about 9 bushels less than that of the two
best varieties, Victory and Golden Rain.

TaBLeE 27.—Yields of grain and straw of six varieties of oats at the Northern Great
Plains Field Station during the 7-year period, 1916-1922, inclusive

|
Yields of grain per acre (bushels) |
Average
Group and variety | ce | | | | | ie acre wield
| 1916 | 1917 | 1918 | 1919 | 1920 | 1921 | 1922 |* abel | (pounds)
| eee | ~< eS | fe =
Early yellow: | | | |
STON eo Da pis ae a ale a Go| n42225|| Gino eotaah al eooaml ea Da-no | 1.9 | 40.8 | 29.0 | 1, 069
Midseason yellow: | |
GoldenthRains=.— <2. be | 493 | 48.7 | 40.3 | 37.2 | 20:04 29.3 | 0 46.7 | 31.7 1, 349
Midseason white: |
Victory Bie SOM a. Sag Die Datel 560 | 46.7 | 41.1 | 35.3 | 17.0.) 28.9 0 47.6 | 30:9 1, 308
Swedish Select__..._____________. PoIBees syArss (Saye) séb iby) aie) Bh 7 0 46.3 | 28.8 | 1, 199
arly Vou bam) ee a Ha OoGe4 95451929 les eaveetan eel Sere oon | 0 35.4 ! 26.0 1, 288
Late side: |
Wilton arian! = ae soe =" es 551 } 48.6 | 34.2 | 16.9 | 16.4 | 19.7 0 21.4 | 21.7 1, 168

EXPERIMENTS WITH BARLEY

Yields of the six barley varieties grown from 1916 to 1922 are
shown in Table 28. The two-rowed barleys all yield better than
the six-rowed.

70 . BULLETIN 1301, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

White Smyrna, though very early and producing the highest aver-
age yield of grain, is too short to harvest readily. Hannchen barley
is taller, easier to handie, somewhat later than White Smyrna, and
yields practically as well. Svanhals, or Swanneck, is about the
same height as Hannchen, ripens at about the same time, and yields
practically as well. :

Mariout and Coast, though early and of satisfactory height, have
tough beards that stick to the seed and interfere with seeding.
Manchuria, though well adapted to the more humid localities farther
east, is nearly always the poorest yielder at Mandan.

TABLE 28.— Yields of grain and straw of six varieties of barley at the Norihern Great
Plains Field Station during the 7-year period, 1916-1922, inclusive

Yields of grain per acre (bushels)

Average
Group and variety C. I. | ae ield
No. $8 3 | Aver- of Straw
{ 1916 | 1917 | 1918 | 1919 | 1920 | 1921 | 1922 “age (pounds)
: |
Two-rowed:
Winhitesmiynnaees oa ee 195) (22950 fe2se lee b Oneal oe ins t.-@ 1-40! 8) 22-7 1, 165
ann Ghens see At es oe ee ee 531 | 31.0 | 20.4 | 25.3 { 20:4 | 16.0}. 0 43.5 | 22.4 1, 207
SILL ee ees eee eS 187 | 26:25) 203>).26°2 1218.71 1810 43.1 | 21.8 1, 340
Six-rowed:
Raspes ae eS eee as 690-| 25.8 | 16.8 |. 24.5 | 17.5} 11.4) 29) 421) 20.1 1, 050
ATI OUT Se et ee ee 12261 | 2558 Paas oa 22565] 24350 11058 Tigra sas 949
Nan CH Uninr tes er Fisk FS Pee e | 354 | 20/8 SAS S1756. | 1387s =6°| 3458 115:3 996

COOPERATIVE GRAZING EXPERIMENT ®
PLAN OF THE EXPERIMENT

The grazing of livestock, especially cattle, on the native range of
the northern Great Plains has been and will no doubt continue to be
an important industry. A large percentage of the land in this area
is unfitted for cultivated crops, either because of its location or its
physical character.

The cooperative grazing experiment is conducted by the Office of
Dry-Land Acriculture Investigations in cooperation with the North
Dakota Aoricultur al College. The United States Department of
Agriculture furnishes the land and equipment and conducts the field
details of the experiment; the agricultural college provides the cattle.

The field plan of the pasture 1s shown in Figure 7 7. The section of
land where the pastures are located 1s approximately 2 miles south of
the station buildings. The soil of the pasture section is somewhat
similar to that of the south field.

The grazing experiment was started with preliminary work in 1915,
but the grazing of four pastures with varying intensity, according to
the plan} of the. experiment, began in 1916. These pastures were ‘put
under a system of continuous grazing, and this system has been con-
tinued on them. The pastures are 100, 70, oe and 30 acres in size
and are grazed at the rate of one steer to 10, 7, 5, and 3 acres, respec-
tively. ‘In order to obtain different paiensilies of grazing, a variation
was made in the size of the pastures rather than in the number of
cattle in each pasture. .

1s By J. T. Sarvis, Associate Agronomist.

1° cadts Popes atcha. tldeS Cag AAA

nr ty hs ps 3 tap ere.

lod

NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS FIELD STATION, 1913-1922 Hal

In 1917 a 70-acre pasture for deferred and rotation grazing was
established. It is referred to as the rotation pasture. This is the
system of grazing that has been developed by the Forest Service of
the United States Department of Agriculture. Grazing started on
this rotation pasture in the spring of 1918.

During 1918 and 1919 the rotation pasture was grazed by the same
number of cattle as the other pastures. In 1920 the number was
increased to 15. It carried 17 head in 1921 and 16 head in 1922.

Nv
BI ES BE IE
(7O ACRES) ‘

LOO PICKLES

~
SO ACRES, | Q W

HAY LAND

Ses ae Se = ee ES 8 EE __ 2a E _ ) Se E

Fic. 7.—Field plan of the pastures used in the cooperative grazing experiment at the Northern Great
Plains Field Station: 7, isolation transect; Q, mapped quadrats; C, corrals and water trough; W, deep
well; M, mowing experiment

This is approximately the number it should carry which is at the rate
of 4.375 acres per head.

A cultivated pasture of bromegrass has been established, and was
grazed for the first time in 1923. The pasture designated as the

‘reserve’ is used to carry the cattle before the experiment opens in
the spring and after it closes in the fall. It is also used during the
grazing season to carry extra steers to be used as replacements in case
of accident to any of those in the experiments. The cattle from the
small pastures are turned on the reserve when their supply of forage is
exhausted.

192 BULLETIN 1301, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

The plan of grazing the rotation pasture is shown in Table 29.
This plan illustrates the application and management of deferred and
rotation grazing. The 70-acre area is divided by cross fences into
three divisions, all approximately the same. The divisions are des-
ignated as A, B, and C. When this pasture was first grazed in 1918.
division A was grazed in the spring; division B in the summer; and
division C was allowed to mature its crop normally and was grazed
in the fall.. In 1919 division B was grazed first, division A second,
and division C was again deferred until third before grazing, or after
the crop had matured without disturbance. During the “following
seasons divisions A and B were in turn treated as was division C in
1918 and 1919. The grazing starts in the spring of each season, so
that a division that has been deferred until fall for two successive
years is not grazed first. This 1s done so that any seedlings that may
have started from the second year’s seeding may have a chance to
become more firmly established before the division is. orazed.

As far as has been possible to determine, there has been no meas-
urable increase of any of the species by reseeding in the rotation
pasture. This was no doubt influenced to some extent by the very
unfavorable seasons. The advantage gained in this region by this
system of grazing is in the physiological effect upon the plants.

This experiment does not take into consideration winter grazing,
which should not be depended upon in this section of the plains.
The seasonal period of grazing has been five months during the sum-
mer. Grazing has started from May 15 to June 1 and continued to
October 15 or November 1. Four years of the seven the seasonal
grazing started in May and three years on June 1.

TaBLE 29.—Plan of grazing the deferred and rotation pasture at the Northern Great
Plains Field Station for the 6-year period, 1918-1923, inclusive

Divisions of pasture, and periods Divisions of pasture, and periods
| of grazing of grazing
Year Bec I | Year z <r
parses B © ey A Bo vee
1 & | a Peseta A ee Dene Pe a ere ee ee eee 4 £
iO Re ae Ses ae Spring____| Summer__) Fall. | 214 eines Ree | Summer__} Fall_____._ Spring.
LOR Fey t Sec | Summer__}| Spring-_-_- Do. 1922 eee eS ib oes 1) te Summer__| Do.
LO2QE ERs ee Lae Sprang 2-5 |SBalleess yes SUMMICEs | e923 eee ees [22200 2eaeers Spring___-. Summer,
|

The cattle used in the grazing experiment are 2-year-old grade
steers of the standard beef breeds. Figure 8 illustrates the “type
used during 1922.

The 2-year-old beef steer was decided upon as the unit, as (a) he seemed to be
most used by ranchmen figuring on this question; (b) he has about the average
eapacity for consumption between yearlings, cows, and large steers; (c) he is
not disturbed like the heifer, by periods of cestrum or by calving during the trial.!®

The cattle are weighed individually at the end of regular 30-day
periods. Whenever the grazing season starts before June 1 they
are weighed at the start in May and again on May 31. This is done
so the periods will correspond to the months. At the beginning and
close of the season the cattle are weighed on three consecutive days.

16 Shepperd, J. H. Carrying capacity of native range grasses in North Dakota. Jn Jour. Amer. Soc.
Agron., v. 11, p. 129-142, pl. 3-5. 1919.

NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS FIELD STATION, 1913-1922 73

The initial and the final weights are the averages of the three weigh-
ings. The cattle are always weighed at the same period of the day.
In order to keep a record of the individual steers, they are branded
with serial numbers.

After the initial weights are obtained the cattle are divided into
uniform lots for the various pastures. The initial weight of 10 steers
is about 7,500 pounds. The cattle have free access to water at all
times.

Fic. 8—Two-year-old steers used in the cooperative grazing experiment at the Northern Great Plains
Field Station. This lot was on the 70-acre pasture. Photographed in October, 1922

GAINS OF THE CATTLE

The grazing capacity of a pasture is determined indirectly by the
gains of the cattle. If the cattle continue to make gains that are
relatively high the native vegetation is not being damaged by over-
grazing. The grazing experiment has been in progress long enough
to establish the maximum gains per head that may be considered
normal. The seasonal gains of the cattle in the 70-acre pasture are
given in Table 30. This pasture has produced the maximum gains
per head. The quantity of available feed for grazing has not been
a limiting factor in the production of gains in this pasture. While
the total gain for the season is the measure of ultimate importance,
the gaims for the various months are also significant. Table 30
shows that the highest gains are made during June, and a slight loss
is recorded for October. The weather influences the gains during
October. Cold weather often occurs in that month, and the cattle
lose weight because of shrinkage.

The average gains of the cattle from all pastures are shown in
Table 31 for the period the experiment has been in progress. The
highest gains per head are made in the 100-acre and 70-acre pastures.

74 BULLETIN 1301, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

The gains in the rotation pasture are between those in the larger
and the smaller pastures. The 30-acre pasture gives the lowest
gains per head, but the gains per acre in it are high. A table similar
to Table 31, but for the years the rotation pasture has been in oper-
ation, would show the same relative gains for the various pastures.
If only the years 1920, 1921, and 1922,.were considered for all pastures,

the same relative ranks would still obtain except that the rotation —

pasture would show the highest gain per acre.

TABLE 30.—Gains of 2-year-old steers! on the 70-acre pasture at the Northern Great
Plains Field Station for the 7-year period, 1916-1922, inclusive

Total gains (pounds)—

Total monthly gains or losses? (pounds) Number
Seasonal
Vi a |
i Per Per
| an. | 58° | gest 28 | per | per (natal eee
Au- | 7 Oc 2 er | Per | poun ally a, | Days
May June July gust = tober Lead head. acre i pace grazed:
ive
weight
BAL) | (a AG eee ews! fee oe 1, 035 885 610 635 | —50 | 3,115 | 311.5 | 44.5 41.1 2.08 id 150
AOI ae 140 | 1,010 | 445 555 | 370 ;—390 | 2,130 | 213.0 30. 4 ffs pile ys ee se lT, 155
TQS ees 595 | 1,055 HY) 330 495 130 | 3,180 | 318.0 45.4 45.0 -2.05 10 155
TOTS See 1,510 420 700 310 50 | 2,990 | 299.0 | 42.7 37.4 2.14 10 140
1920 eee ede Ee 1,35 690 495 595 | —70 | 3,060 | 306.0 | 43.7 39.2 2.04 10 150
19213 Se eS 560 980 590 750 100 185 | 3,175 | 317.5 | 45.4 44.5 | 2:12 10 150
1922@ SR ee 580 1,130 920 400 + 38C 25 | 3,415 | 341.5 | 48.8 | 50.3 | 2.28 10 150
Average____, $469 | 1,151 | 646: 549) 412: —I7 |#3,009 300.9 | 43.0 40.9 2.01 10 150

1 Yearlings were used in part in 1916 and 1918. The gains shown have been reduced to a 2-year-old basis-
and differ but slightly from those actually made. When yearlings were used, the number of cattle was:
increased to bring the total initial weight up to about 7,500 pounds.

2 A minus sign (—) indicates a loss.

3 Average period of 10 days for the four seasons that the cattle were started on pasture in May.

wus average does not equal the sum of the monthly averages because the grazing periods were not.
uniform.

TABLE 31.— Gains of 2-year-old sieers! on the continuously grazed and rotation
pastures ai the Northern Greai Plains Field Station

[The gains shown for the continuously grazed pastures are for the 7-year period, 1916-1922, inclusive; those
for the rotation pasture (70 acres) are for the 5-year period, 1918-1922, inclusive]

Average total gains = 3
Average total monthly gains, or losses = | = : sac we Ss!
GUERSS, Seasonal of—
Pasture | | | | Per
Au- Sep- Octo- Per Per | Per ean head, Steers Days
May June July | gust Sl ber ee head acre a daily pas- grazed
: ive ture
weight
— ES
100 acres______ 2400 1.086 659 5i4 417 45 2,949 | 294.9 29.5 39,9 | 1.97 | 10 150
‘yore res £469 1,151 646 549 412 —17 3.009 300.9 43.0 40.9 2.01 :-10 150:
“MMACTES == #441 1,161 629 350 148 | —204 | 2,535 | 253.5 | 50.7 O47 1420-19 148
S30 acres ss: | 4394 | 1,070 480 206 5s—218 ®*—285 1,816 181.6 | 60.5 24. 5°11. 62 110 112
Rotation, 70 |
ACTES ues = 7865 1,379 856 662 368 —§ | 3,778 | 277.8 | 54.0 37.7 | 1.86} 13:6 149

iY earlings were used in part in 1916and 1918. The gains in the above table have been reduced to a 2-year-
old basis and differ but slightly from those actually made. When yearlings were used, the number of
cattle was increased to bring the total initial weight up to about 7,500 pounds.

2? A minus sign (—) indicates a loss.
A 3 These averages do not equal the sum of the monthly averages because the grazing periods are not uni-

orm.

4 Average period of 10 days for the four seasons that the cattle were started on pasture in May

5 Average period of 21 days during four seasons that the cattle remained on their pasture in September-~

6 Loss for 30 days one season, 1916, the only year the cattle finished the season on their pasture.

7 Average period of 12 days during three seasons that the cattle were started on pasture in May.

— le!” a

ee eno

ay ee

7) | eee

NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS FIELD STATION, 1913-1922 75

STUDY OF THE NATIVE VEGETATION

A comparatively large number of species of plants grow on the
prairie in this region, but only 25 or 30 of them are important to
grazing, and 4 of these produce approximately half of the forage.
Some species are important to the grazier because cattle like them
and eat them, while others are important because cattle do not eat
them and they flourish to the disadvantage of those that the cattle
do eat. The species of little grazing value may be favored by over-
grazing because cattle will not eat them.

The dominant plant species in this region are blue grama grass
(Bouteloua gracilis), western needle grass (Stipa comata), nigger wool
or bull sod (Carex fiifolia), and western sedge (Carex heliophila).
Other species that are common and important in relation to grazing
are Artemisia gnaphalodes, Koeleria cristata, Solidago pulcherrvma,

Fic. 9 —Native vegetation in the 70-acre pasture at the Northern Great Plains Field Station on July
15, 1922

Artemisia dracunculoides, A. frigida, Echinacea angustifolia, and
Aristida longiseta. The native vegetation of this area has been more
fully described by Sarvis."7 ?

The native vegetation in this section covers approximately 60 per
cent of the ground, Bouteloua gracilis covering about 20 per cent and
Stipa comata about 10 per cent. These are the most valuable grazing
species. The vegetation in the 70-acre and the 30-acre pastures on
July. 15, 1922, is shown in Figures 9 and 10, which show the greater
development of Artemisia frigida in the overgrazed 30-acre pasture.

Definite studies of the native vegetation have been followed since
the grazing experiment was established. The details and results of
these studies are fully discussed in Department Bulletin No. 1170."*

a7 Sarvis, J: T. Composition and density of the native vegetation in the vicinity of the Northern Great

Plains Field Station. Jn Jour. Agr. Research, v. 19, p. 63-72, 2 fig., pl. 12-14. (Literature cited, p. 71-72.)

18 Sarvis, J.T. Effects of different systems and intensities of grazing upon the native vegetation at the
Northern Great Plains Field Station. U.S. Dept. Agr. Bul. 1170, 46 p., 11 fig.,9 pl. 1923. (Bibliographi-
cal footnotes.)

76 BULLETIN 1301, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

A brief discussion of each method and its results follows. The term
‘“quadrat’’ in this discussion; unless otherwise specified, refers to an
area of ground 1 meter (39.37 inches) square.

Mapped quadrats.—In these quadrats, all species of plants are
indicated on a chart drawn to scale. Single plants are designated by
symbols, and plants that grow in bunches or mats are drawn in out-
line and designated. Maps were made in the four continuously
grazed pastures in 1915. The same quadrats have been mapped
since that time. These quadrats are located in the open pastures
and are therefore subjected to grazing. The mapped quadrats serve
as permanent records of the composition of the vegetation. They
show the relationship of the different species of plants, especially
those that grow in mats (as blue grama grass), and bunches (as
western needle grass). They show something of the effects of graz-

Fic. 10—Native vegetation in the 30-acre pasture at the Northern Great Plains Field Station on
July 15, 1922. The white plants are Artemisia frigida

ing on different species. While maps have been made to show ali
species in the quadrats, during recent years the maps have been drawn
to show only blue grama and western needle grasses. These are the
most important grazing grasses, and it is difficult to keep a record of
them any other way. The quadrats mapped in 1922 indicate that
western neecle grass has been reduced by the severe grazing in the
30-acre pasture.

List quadrats —The records of these quadrats are made by counting
and recording the number of individual plants of species that grow
singly or in distinct bunches. It is possible to keep such records on
a comparatively large number of quadrats extending over the pastures.
The lst-quadrat records made in 1922 in the overgrazed 30-acre
pasture show that Artemisia frigida had increased until it was from
two to three times as thick as in any of the other pastures.

NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS FIELD STATION, 1913—1922 7,

Clipped quadrats.—This name was adopted from the method of
removal of the vegetation, which was cut or clipped close to the
ground with a pair of roaching shears. In no case were the plants
cut below their crown. The aim has been to cut all plants uniformly
close to the ground, closer than they would be grazed by cattle. The
plants were divided into different groups at each clipping. The
clipping was done at different periods varying from 10 to 40 days,
and annually, or at the end of the season. In 1919 a set of quadr ats
was added for the removal of the vegetation every two years. The
clipped quadrats plainly show that the most active growth and
ereatest production of the vegetation as a whole is in May and June,
the period during which the cattle make their greatest gains. Boute-
loua gracilis is “the species most resistant to clipping. Quadrats
clipped at 10; day intervals were discontinued at the close of 1921.
During 1922 Bouteloua gracilis made a fair growth on them, and a
few plants Thaadled| out. Stipa comata is the species least resistant
to clipping. It has entirely disappeared from the frequently clipped
quadrats.

Isolation transects.—These areas were 40 feet wide and 300 feet
long when first established. They were fenced when the pastures
were started. One transect was located in the 30-acre pasture, one
in the 100-acre pasture, and one in division B of the rotation pasture.
On one side of the fenced area a unit 20 feet square was closed to
grazing each year. On the opposite side a like unit was opened to
grazing. The units in the center were never grazed. The transect
in the 30-acre pasture shows the points of most value. The units
on each side that have been grazed the longest show the largest
number of plants of Artemisia “Frigida per unit area. In the units
not grazed the plants of A. frigida remain normal in number and are
not as coarse as those in the open pasture.

Photographs.—Views of the vegetation and cattle have been taken
each year since the grazing experiment started in 1915. Photo-
eraphs are of unusual value in connection with this experiment, as
they bring out certain points and illustrate features that do not lend
themselves rea adily to description or measurement.

Field notes.—Notes on the growth of the native vegetation are
recorded each year. The time that any species starts growth in
the spring is influenced by the season and may vary widely from year
to year. There is also a wide variation between species in the time of
starting growth. Bouteloua gracilis does not start its sprmg growth
as early as most other grasses. Stipa comata and Koeleria cristata
are the earliest grasses to start growth in the spring.

Other inv estigations which were carried on as a part of the grazing
experiment were a mowing experiment, field germination tests of
grass seeds, seeding experiments in the native sod, and soil-moisture
determinations.

The acre units of the mowing experiment were so arranged that
3 acres were mowed each season and 3 acres in alternate years. The
yield of hay from all units has been low, but the units mowed in
alternate years have produced approximately twice as much hay
per acre as those mowed every year. The hay from the two-year
units was not of as good quality as that from the one-year units, as
about one-third of its weight was composed of the old growth of
the previous season.

78 BULLETIN 1301, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

With the exception of a few species, the germination of all grass
seeds planted in the field was low. Bouteloua gracilis produced only
afew plants. Stipa viridula showed a high germination.

Forage plants of different kinds were “seeded in the native sod.
Seedings were made by disking the sod and by scattering seed in
the grass without disking. In no case during any season that trials
were made was any stand obtained. From the trials made it appears
that it is not possible to get a stand of any forage crop in the native
sod without breaking it. In 1921 a field of 35 acres was broken in
May and seeded to br omegrass. The season of 1921 was dry during
the summer, but a good stand of bromegrass was obtained, it produc-
ing 1 ton of hay per acre in 1922.

Soil-moisture determinations were made each year in the different
pastures. The data show that the native vegetation was practically
dependent upon the current precipitation, as the soil was dry during.
most of the summer each season.

CONCLUSIONS FROM THE GRAZING EXPERIMENT

On the basis of the results from 1916 to 1922, inclusive, the follow-
ing conclusions are drawn. These conclusions are based on the gains
of the cattle and the condition of the native vegetation as affected by
the different intensities of grazing.

The 100-acre pasture, crazed at the rate of one 2-vear-old steer to
10 acres,. is larger than necessary. This pasture has produced an
abundance of feed, which has allowed the cattle to make nearly the
maximum gains. Since the pasture is undergrazed, the native vege-
tation has not been injured by intense grazing; neither has the vege-
tation been benefited by the light grazing. Such plants as white sage
(Artemisia gnaphalodes), green sage (4. dracunculoides), and purple
coneflower (Echinacea angustifolia) make greater growth in the 100-
acre pasture because they have been but slightly disturbed by grazing.

The 70-acre pasture, grazed at the rate “of one 2-y ear-old steer to
7 acres, provides approximately the acreage required in this region
for a system of continuous grazing. The cattle made the best gains
in this pasture, but the native vegetation is not as completely utilized
as under the system of deferred and rotation erazing.

The 50-acre pasture, grazed at the rate of one 2-year -old steer to
5 acres, is not large enough to produce sufficient feed to allow the

cattle tomake maximum gains. Pasture sage (Artemisia frigida) has
increased in this pasture because of the close crazing. This pasture
is overgrazed, as indicated by low gains of the cattle and the increase
of A. frigida.

The 30-acre pasture, grazed at the rate of one 2-year-old steer to
3 acres, is severely overgrazed. It has not produced enough feed
to carry the cattle for five months. The cattle in this pasture have
made the lowest gains per head. The small acreage of the pasture
has resulted in a high gain per acre. The native vegetation has been
weakened by the heavy grazing. Pasture sage has increased more
in this pasture than in any of the others. The cattle will not eat
this plant, and the grazing capacity of the 30-acre pasture has been
reduced by its increase. "This plant also grows larger here than in
any of the other pastures.

NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS FIELD STATION, 1913-1922 79

The 70-acre deferred and rotation pasture during the three years
from 1920 to 1922, inclusive, has been grazed at the rate of one 2-year-
old steer to 4.375 acres. This system of grazing has resulted in a
high utilization of the vegetation. The gains of the cattle have been
about 10 per cent below the best gains made. The vegetation in this
pasture has not been injured by the high degree of utilization.
This was because the vegetation in the different divisions of the pas-
ture was allowed to mature periodically before it was subjected again
to grazing.

ORGANIZATION OF THE
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
July 9, 1924

CGKeELar YO) ugTeCulotres noe!) aa Rae Henry C. WALLACE.

PANS SUSLOM GMS COLELOTY a | ts ee Howarp M. Gore.

Director op Scientuic-Work=-— = _- sae RD Ban

Director or ivequlatory VWork-2 2 5. =e WALTER G. CAMPBELL.
Dimector-o; Hatenstion Worke: 22a C. W. WARBURTON.

OUCH OTE. ie Ne ae ae R. W. WILLIAMS.

xecathem- BuUrcanes <atan San To.) i5 CHARLES F. Marvin, Chief.
Bureau of Agricultural Economics__________ Henry ©. Tayuor, Chief.
BURcatUnojmAnimalelrdusthiy==- <2 See JoHN R. Monuer, Chief.

EXUNCE UO; MIALGTUL LILGUstiy as sa. = eet aaa WittiamM A. Taytor, Chief.
HORESE SCRUUCE Sica Cen ee ea.) W. B. GREELEY, Chief.

ECO UNOinG REMISITY == eae ee C. A. Browne, Chief.

BSL GCCUUO fi S OLUSHaaes ei eam C1). eal age maeaes Mitton WHITNEY, Chief.
BUreCunOj Ee MtOmology = s==5\.. ._ (ae L. O. Howarp, Chief.

Buneimoje biological Survey. >. =e eee EK. W. Newson, Chief.

PSMURC OMS} Ta tL OLEC OCAASm ae = lh 0. Se Tuomas H. MacDonatp, Chief.
Bureau of Home Economics_______- Le Se. LOUISE STAND, a@iier

BU eannof, DAN gG=s eo. =. C. W. Larson, Chief.

Ojice-of Hapervment Stations. =... eae Ee We SAGniEN, 1@haeie

Office of Cooperative Extension Work ______- C. B. Smiru, Chief.

Fixed Nitrogen Research Laboratory_ ____-_- F. G. Corrreii, Director.
Oijiceromhalicahion swe = Toon. eee L. J. Haynes, Director.

LEDC = ee oe Dee es epee a tees CLARIBEL R. Barnett, Librarian.
Hederal Horticultural Board... ie 5eiae C. L. Maruatt, Chairman.
insecticide and Mungreide: Board. 35 aaae J. K. Haywoop, Chairman.
Packers and Stockyards Administration _.__- ao MorRri.u, Assistant to the
Grav Eutures Administration. 9... Sea ae Secretary.

This bulletin is a contribution from

Bureau ojmelant Indusiry ss... - | aes Wiiiiam.A. Tayuor, Chief.
O fice of Dry-Land Agriculture Investiga- FE. C. Cuincort, Senior Agriculturist
tions. in Charge.
Office of Cereal Investigations _ ________ CARLETON R. Batu, Senior Agron-

omist in Charge.
SO

ADDITIONAL COPIES
OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE PROCURED FROM
THE SUPERINTENDENT OF DOCUMENTS
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON, D.C.
AT
15 CENTS PER COPY

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