/ • • I
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,
i:i |;l \r 0l ri.W l IM'i -I l:N Circulai
B. I. c.Al.l.i'W \Y. Chief o( Bur.
DRY-LAND GRAINS FOR WESTERN
NORTH AND SOUTH DAKOTA.
CECIL SALMON,
Plant Physiologist, Grain Investigations
WAMWUTON : GOVtRHMf.T pbintin a OfTKE : 1»IO
EPOS!
Bl'REAT OF PLANT INIU'STRY.
[Cir.59]
2
, I'. Galloway.
u, G. Harold Powell.
Editor, J. E. ROCKWEI L.
Chief Clerk, James I . .'
DRY-LAND GRAINS POR WESTERN NOR
AND SOUTH DAKOTA.
INTRODUCTION.
Tlir purpose of this pap nt -nine of the results obtained
bj the < •:' : nited State I >ep irtmenl
of \ ture, in several in western North and South
e work done al the Bellefourche experi-
ment I'.'.n i, flellcfo 5. Dak., and thai in cooperation with the
al the substati I [ighmore, S. Dak.,
d Dickinson for the purpose of determining the besl
in, are reported. tt is principally from these experi-
ment farms thai definite and reliable information may be obtained
liis subjecl .
>i thai are nol menl ioned here. It
has been the practice to add promising new varieties and to discard
old ones as thej are found to be of no value. To include all these
would add sh to this paper and confuse the farmer in his
suited to his needs.
b of \ ariet; . brief mention is made
leriments to determine the bi
!iii'_ r for the \ arious grains and the besl time and method
of tion for seeding winter wheal. Other lines of work are
beii time as the need for them becoi
apparent. These will lie n when more complete information
con i hem i- obi ained.
> < '\< m 9IONS SOMEV M \ I m:\ivi i\ E.
I the work h such that few attempts
havi Tli,. results of two years' work
are llefourche, of three for Dickinson, ami of -even for
Highm ' rviously one must he extremely careful in drawing
rom the results of only a few year-' work.
nd opinions which are presented musl 1 led
• and likely to be revised a- more knowledge on
i
a from tfa .•■ Buperij
4 DRY'-LAND GBAINS FOB NORTH AND SOUTH DAKOTA.
the subject is obtained. These results are submitted in the hope that
they will be of immediate use to farmers, who, in many cases, come
from the Eastern States, where the rainfall is abundant, and are
unfamiliar with conditions in this area.
SOIL.
1 1 has been the plan in locating these experiment farms to obtain,
as far as possible, representative 1 conditions of both soil and climate,
in order that the results may be applicable to a large area.
BELLEForRCHK.
The soil of the Bellefourche experiment farm is a very heavy clay
called ''Pierre clay" by the Bureau of Soils; to farmers and stock-
men if is familiarly known as "gumbo." It is chiefly characterized
by its stickiness when wet and by its imperviousness to water, espe-
cially after the surface becomes wet. It contains a fair amount of
humus and appears to be rich in the essential elements of plant food.
From a practical farmer's standpoint, its chief disadvantages are
that it is very heavy and therefore expensive to work, and that it i>
necessary to work it when it contains the proper amount of moisture.
From the behavior of the crops, this soil seems to be very retentive
of moisture and is productive when properly handled.
Table I shows the results of a mechanical analysis of Pierre clay. a
Its characteristic stickiness is perhaps explained by the large percent-
age of clay and silt, amounting to 35 and 43.2 per cent, respectively.
Table I. — Composition of Pierre clay as determined by mechanical analysis.
Per cent.
Fine gravel 0.2
Coarse sand 1.1
Medium sand 1. 4
Fine sand 5. 5
Very fine sand 13.0
Silt 43. 2
Clay 35.
The Pierre clay passes gradually into a clay shale, which is found
at a depth varying from a few feet to several hundred feet. This
type of soil is found extensively in South Dakota west of the Mis-
souri River, and in a few areas not covered with the glacial drift
east of the river. It also extends into Montana and Wyoming.
The field in which the greater part of the experimental work herein
reported has been conducted seems to be well adapted to the purpose.
Check plats have been used in all plantings when practicable to do so,
and in most cases it has been found that there is little variation in
different parts of the field.
<* Soil Survey of the Bellefourche Area, Advance Sheet, Field Operations, 1907,
Bureau of Soils, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture.
[Cir. 59]
i>l;\ i \M> GRAINS FOB NOBTfl AND SOUTH DAKOTA. D
BIOHHOR] .
The Boil of the Elighmore Bubstation is of glacial origin. In texture
it differs from the Bellefourche soil in that if is qo( so heav) and is
easier to work. It is uniform both in texture and in topography.
The results from thi-< station are extremelj valuable, both from this
I'art and for the reason thai the experiments extend over a period
of Beveral j ears.
UK kl\-<>\.
The soil of the Dickinson Bubstation is not bo heavj as thai of
either Bellefourche or Highmore. Ii varies from a Bandy t" a claj
loam. It is productive arid Is typical of extensive areas in western
\mth Dakota. The field in which varietj tests are being con-
ducted appears to be fairly uniform, although check plats in some
years have made quite variable yields.
CLIMATE.
The climate of Bellefourche, Highmore, and Dickinson is fairly
typical of the northern ( 'neat Plains. The annual mean temperal me"
at Highmore is 14.5 F. It is 10.3 I'. at Dickinson. Records at
Bellefourche have not been taken for a sufficient time to determine
the mean temperature, hut it is probably about the same as at
Highmore.
Table 11 has been prepared for the purpose of showing the annual
and seasonal rainfall for each year during which experiments have
been conducted at each of these points. The normal rainfall for the
full period for which records are available is also given for the pur-
pose of comparison.
li II Precipitation at Highmore, D ■ d Bellefourcht durii
a!
High
■
Annual.
-
Annu . -
\nnii.il.
1906
IV 1
in S
i: i.
7 1
In 1
11 '■
-
,1.0
Inchts. Inchtt.
Inrhf.'.
11.4
1*14.0
<«9.0
o Innual Summai orth and £
l> Prom re in, 12 miles (run ml farm.
•• M u h i from the records &i i inn m. 12 miles from the experimenl tana.
■ the normal precipitation for iiur'!. | by the
[Cir. :.!•]
6 DRY-LAND GRAINS FOB NOBTH AND SOUTH DAKOTA.
In all discussions in this paper the seasonal precipitation is under-
stood to be the amount of moisture which falls from March 1 to July
:il . En the northern < treat I Mm ins the precipitation during tins period
scnn- to be more closely related to crop production than does that
of any other period. For small grains the Augusl and September
rains are usually of no use as far a- the crop for that season is con-
cerned. On the other hand, the March precipitation if conserved
may often he of considerable use. Even lor crops which mature late
in the season, such as com, the rainfall previous to August is as
important as that which occurs later. In the growing of winter
wheat the autumn and winter precipitation must also he considered.
The differences in soil and climate at Bellefourche, Ffighmore, and
Dickinson do not appear to he great enough to cause very different
behavior of the grains. The results agree so closely that many of
the same varieties are recommended for the three areas. As much
difference is found between Bellefourche, flighmore, and Dickinson
a- i- ordinarily found between other localities in the northern Great
(Mains. It follows, therefore, that the results presented are probably
applicable to the greater part of this area. MMie farmer, no matter
where he is located, should study his conditions — toil, rainfall, tem-
perature, evaporation, etc. By a comparison of his own conditions
with those of the experiment farms and a study of the results obtained
he may reach a very reliable conclusion as to the grains which are
most likely to succeed on his farm.
OTHER FACTORS WHICH HAVE INFLUENCED THE RESULTS.
At all the experiment farms under discussion the grains have been
grown as nearly as possible under field conditions. The ground has
been well prepared, although no better than can be done on every
well-regulated farm. The preparation has been uniform, so as to
secure comparable yields for all varieties.
At Dickinson and Bellefourche the crops have been grown on new
land, with the exception of the barley at Dickinson in 1909, which
was grown on corn ground. The usual practice has been to break
the land in the spring of the previous year and backsel it in the fall.
At Highmore the grain has usually been grown on land on which corn
or small grain was grown the previous year. Corn ground has been
used whenever possible. Before seeding in the spring the ground
is disked and harrowed sufficiently to provide a good seed bed. The
grain has been sown with a drill, usually a disk drill.
The rate of seeding has not always been the same for different
years. At Bellefourche the durum wheat has usually been sown at
t he rate of 5 pecks per acre, common spring wheat 4 pecks, and barley
and oats 5 and (i pecks, respectively. In the variety test in 1 ( J08 the
[Cir. 59]
DBY-LA i: l M \ ■ [ DA KOI i
winter wheal was sown at the rate of 2 pei acre, while in
the time-of-seeding test the rate was ii pecks per acre. All of the
winter wheat, with the exception of thai in the rate-of-aeedin
was sown al the rate of I pecks per acre in 1909. At Highmore the
grain has been sown at the e for wheat, 6 pei
for barley, and s pecks for oats. A common practice at Dickin
has been to sow the durum wheal al the rate of 6 pecks per acre and
the common wheal al the rate of 5 pecks per acre. Barley and o
have been sown al the rate of 6 and S pecks, respectively.
VARIETY TESTS.
Varieties behave verj differently under differenl conditions of soil,
climate, and culture. One of the princip cts of variet} tests
U to obtain information concerning the behavior of varieties in rela-
tion i" these factors. The besl variety is usually considered to be
the one which will produce the highest avi ield for a period of
years, quality and market value being considered. The abilitj oi a
variety to produce a fair yield in an unfavorable year is an important
consideration. Ii often happens that during such seasons consider-
able differences will bo found between varieties which have produced
uniformly good yields in favorable ones. Ii is largely for this reason
that variety tests can ool be considered conclusive until the variel
have been subjected to all the conditions which occur in tl
w here they arc to be grow n.
It is believed that the results herein reported, which are the mosl
definite data obtainable for this area, indicate within reasonable
limits those varieties which will usually do best. Further tests are
expected to show more definite relations between varieties and •
tain climatic ami soil conditions. In the mean time, the farmer is
justified in using those which our present knowledge indicates to be
the best .
SPR] \<. win \ i
The tables which follow do nol show a striking ority of any
variety of the same class as far as yield is concerned. A probable
explanation is that the varieties reported represent the best of sev-
eral hundred which have been tested al different places. Ii is the
practice of the Office of Grain Investigations of the Bureau of Plant
[ndustrj to grow only a few of the besl varieties in Held tests. All
ol her-, often numbering as main as tw three hundred, are grow n
in small plats or rows. Only the besl of th ever increased, the
remainder being discarded. A- an illustration, over two hundred
varieties and -train- of durum wheat introduced by this office have
been growrn at the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station
8
DRY-LAND GRAINS FOR NORTH AND SOUTH DAKOTA.
at Brookings. These were tested for several years, the best being
grown in field tests. Sonic were grown as early as 1902 at Mellette,
S. Dak., and in 1903 at the substation at Highmore. Later, when
cooperative work was begun at the substations at Edgeley and Dick-
inson, N. Dak., the best varieties were sent there for trial. In 1908,
when the work at the Bellefourche experiment farm was inaugurated,
only those varieties which these various tests had shown to be best
were used.
In the progress of the work at various places many varieties have
been discarded, so that those which are being grown at present may
be regarded as the best of their class.
Tables III, IV, and V show the average and annual yields of the
durum and common wheats at the three experiment farms under
discussion. In Table IV, which shows the yields at Highmore, two
columns of averages are given, as most of the common wheats were
not grown until two years after the durum wheats were introduced.
Table III. — Yield per acre of spring wheat grown at the experiment farm , Bellefourche,
S. I>l;\ LAND GRAINS POH NORTH \M' SOUTH DAKOTA.
S Dak . from 190
hi i:i \i w ill \ i
G I
\ Ul.lv
1807
1516
Kubanka. .
\\ lid i
Uii-ml ki
Pcrcrodka.
nk.i
llin
d
\:\:
Beloturka
1541
Kub ink. i-
Ruth
17 x
10 _•
11 ii
in n
21 i 28 "■
-
24 B
21 ..
24 i
21 -'
\\. r
1909.
ft ir
fluji/l.
Bulk
ii -
21 2
i; 2
17 n
in ;
21 '■
21 7
_'i 2
I'' '.
• ' ■ \l \l " N U 1 1 K. \ I
Gblrka Spring
I Red Pile
m..
Mlnnesol i No 169
dlej \ elvel Chad.
■ ii So 51
.i 171
Minn.
Minn, ota N
II n
-
11.8
21 ii
17 a
17 'i
18.0
n B
18.5
ie i
13 ii
12 l
II B
14.0
9.9
II -.
17 7
17 S
16 2
17 2
17 ii
15 B
17 7
17 8
17 2
16 l
ie i
ii s
Tabi b V Yield .
\ />
in ki m W HE v r
\ U ■
1907.O
1908.0
1909.
Hlii
Kobank i.
Rmhih.
Iiu.ihrls.
■ -
17.6
Bushrl*.
30 1
Itll.'hrl.i.
."i ■»
COMMON will
1M7 Ghlrka Spring
21.4
30.0
B
-
nmml Hop."
\\ . r IgC .'I 'i
-10 2
10 DRY-LAND GRAINS FOB NORTH AND SOUTH DAKOTA.
BEU.KHHHI III:.
The highest average yield of spring wheat at Bellefourche is 23.2
bushels per acre, as shown in Table III. This was obtained from two
strains of the Kubanka variety, G. I. No. 1440" (better known as
S. P. 1. No. 5639) and (r. I. No. 1516.* Several other varieties have
yielded nearly as much.
Of the common wheats, Powers' Fife (G. I. No. 3025) has yielded
the most, 17.9 bushels per acre, or 5.3 bushels less than the Kubanka.
Rysting's Fife (G. 1. No. 3022) is a close second. The Bearded Red
Fife, which has yielded well at Highmore, has not been included in
these tests. Several strains of this valuable variety are being grown
in the plant nursery. Some of these are very promising and will be
grown in comparison with the other varieties a- soon a- sufficient seed
i- obtained.
HIGHMOHE.
The Kubanka variety (G. I. No. 1516) has produced the highest
average yield of the durum wheats at Highmore, 22.4 bushels per acre
for the seven-year period from 1903 to 1909, as shown in Table IV.
The Ghirka Spring, the only common spring wheat grown for the full
period of seven years, gave an average yield of 14.5 bushels per acre.
The Bearded Red Fife has produced the highest average yield of the
common wheats for the five years from 1905 to 1909. Three varieties.
Pedigreed Bluestem, Minnesota No. 169, and Okanogan Valley Velvet
Chaff , have each produced an average yield of about 1.5 bushels below
that of the Bearded Red Fife.
The common and durum wheats have been grown on similar ground,
with the exception of the 1909 crop. A comparison of yield of the
two »roups in 1909 can not be made for that reason. The average
yield of the Bearded Red Fife variety for the four years from 1905 to
1908 is 19.5 bushels per acre, or 7.5 bushels less than the yield of the
Kubanka for the same period. The former, however, is at present,
1910, discriminated against by the millers, although not to the same
extent as is the durum wheat. Its greater yield, as compared with
other varieties of common wheat, is for that reason partly offset
by the lower price usually received for it. The Kubanka variety
averages nearly 9 bushels more than the Pedigreed Bluestem, the
second common wheat in point of yield, an increase of more than
48 per cent.
' i. lain Investigations number.
6 The following strains of the Kubanka were obtained by Mr. M. A. Carleton: (i. I.
No. 1440 in December, 1900, from Uralsk territory, Russia; (1. I. X". 1516, from the
Paris Exposition in 1900 (originally from the Samara government, Russia); (!. 1. No.
1511 (S. P. 1. No lioiitii, from the Astrakhan government, Russia, in August, 1900; and
(J. I. Nil L354 s P. I. No. 2758), from the Samara government, Russia, in 1808.
[Cir. 59]
I»i;\ LAND URAIN.S FOB NORTH \M> SOI Ml DAKOTA. 11
I'll kl\-"S
li will be seen from Table V thai three durum wheal varieties,
Kubanka, Wild Goose, and Nicaragua, have yielded practically the
-ri nit- :i t Dickinson, 5 bushels per acre, respecth ly.
The Kubanka produced the highest average yield in 1906,° which
would bring it- average above thai of the others. The Ghirka
Spring variet} (■ I No. 1517) has produced the highest averi
yield of the common wheats and yielded the highest in 1907 and This.
It has n<>t done so well al either Bellefourcl r rlighmore, altho
during drj years it has exhibited drought-resistant properties. It-
average yield, 25 bushels per acre, is 1.6 bushels less than the Kubanka,
an increase for the latter of about I s percent. The Ghirka Spring
i- a semihard Fife wheat introduced from Russia 1>\ this office, but
-o far it has not been extensive!} grown. Although its milling qualit}
has not been thoroughly tested, it promises well. The yield of the
Kubanka al Dickinson is 5.8 bushels greater than the yield of the
best Bluestem, or an increase of more than 24 per cent.
..1 \ I KM l'1-i I — l"\
The preceding discussion shows that Powers' Fife has been the
highest yielding common wheal at Bellefourche, the Bearded Red
Fife at rlighmore, and the Ghirka Spring at Dickinson. At each
of the experiment farms the best yields of durum wheat have Keen
obtained from one or the other of two 9trains of the Kubanka variety.
(i I. No. 1 l Hi has given the highest \ i < • 1 < 1 at Dickinson, G. I No.
1516 at rlighmore, while the two strains have given the same yield
at Bellefourche. Apparently there is little difference between the
two strains, (i. I. No. 1440 is alightl) taller than (i. 1. No. 1516,
and milling and baking tests conducted at the South Dakota Agri-
cultural Experiment Station' indicate that it i- superior to the
latter in this respect. Results are reported for onlj two years, and
further tests in connection with the work al Bellefourche have
-~hown much less difference between the two strains.
Variety tests at other place- -how that while durum wheat should
not he grown under humid conditions the Kubanka is even less
adapted to wet seasons than some of the other varieties. Apparently
the abundant precipitation during the past few seasons at the three
experiment farm- ha- served to raise the average of other varieties
in comparison with the Kubanka. Thus this variety (G. I. N<>. l 1 10)
produced the highest yield of all the varieties at Bellefourche iii
Firsl Innual Report of the Dickinson Sub-Experiment Station, L908, p. 13.
'' Bulletins '•-' and 99, South Dakota Agrii ultural Experiment Station.
I fir. 59]
12 DRY-LAND GRAINS FOR NORTH AND SOUTH DAKOTA.
1908 (Table III), a dry year, but in 1009, a season of abundant
precipitation, it was slightly exceeded in yield by other varieties.
At Highmore in 1904, the driest year during which tests have been
conducted, three strains of the Kubanka, G. I. Xos. 1440, 1516, and
1541, ranked in yield first, second, and third, respectively (Table
I\ '). Likewise at Dickinson in 1909, with a rainfall considerably
above the normal, the Kubanka was outvielded by other varieties.
but in 1907, the driest year, it yielded the highest. "While such
comparisons do not hold true for each year at each experiment farm,
it appears that the Kubanka is better adapted than other varieties
of durum wheat to dry climates and dry seasons. It is very prob-
able that for a period of years during which the precipitation
approaches more nearly the normal than has been the case during
the past few seasons, or when the precipitation is below normal,
the superiority of the Kubanka variety will he more clearly shown.
COMPARISON OF DlRl'M AND COMMON 8PBINQ WHEAT.
An important result of the variety tests is definite information
concerning the comparative yields of durum and common spring
wheat. It has been pointed out that the superiority in average
yield of the best durum over the best common spring wheat has
amounted to from IS to 48 per cent of the yield of the common
wheat, the smallest difference being at Dickinson. As previously
noted, the average precipitation at each experiment farm for the
period during which these comparisons are made is from 1 to 5
inches above normal. This has undoubtedly resulted in a differ-
ence less than would otherwise be the case, since it is only in dry
years that the full value of the durum wheat becomes apparent. For
example, at Highmore in 1906. with a seasonal precipitation of about
1 inch above normal, the difference in yield between the Pedigreed
Bluestem variety and the Kubanka was 12.2 bushels. The increase
from growing the Kubanka in this case amounted to about 75 per
cent. In 1904, with a precipitation of about 4 inches below normal,
the difference in yield in favor of the Kubanka amounted to nearly
100 per cent of the yield of the Pedigreed Bluestem.
At Dickinson the driest year since the variety tests were begun
was 1907. The difference in yield that season between the Kubanka
and the Ghirka Spring varieties was 9 bushels per acre, and between
the Kubanka and the Bluestem 12.9 bushels, or a gain for the
Kubanka in the latter case of nearly 69 per cent. As the seasonal
precipitation in 1907 was just about normal, it seems very probable
[Clr. 59]
DB1 LAND DRAINS mm; NOHTH wu 801 in DAKOTA. L8
thai for a series of yearn in which the average rainfall is about normal
the difference in yield between the durum ami the common - j »ri 1 1-_-
wheai at this point will be more than enough to offset the difference
in price
At Bellefourche the greatest difference in yield between the durum
a in I the common spring wheat baa been obtained in the driest j ear.
It 1 in~. Keen ahown that at the experiment farms under discussion,
in seasons when the precipitation is about normal, the difference
in yield between the besl durum and the beat common spring wheat
amounts to from 25 to 75 per cent. In seasons when the precipita-
tion is below normal the difference is greater. As previously
mentioned, the value »>f durum wheal i- due to it- ability to
resisl drought. Because of this quality it will usually produce
profitable yields in years bo unfavorable thai no profit whatever is
realized from the common Bpring wheal. In favorable years as
much and usually more profit i- realized from the durum wheal.
The present difference in price (15 to 20 cent'- per bushel) should
not prevent the growing of durum wheat in the Great Plains, par-
ticularly in those BOCtionS where winter wheat can Hot he grown.
K\er\ farmer should insisl on obtaining the besl variety, Kubanka,
and should then be very careful to keep it pure. This is particularly
important where durum and common wheat are grown <>n the same
farm, as the millers object to durum wheat containing even a Bmall
proportion of common w heat .
It ha- been fully demonstrated that bread can he made from
durum flour that i- equal in quality to thai made from common
Bpring w heat. The bread ha- a- high ii nut tit ive value, and though a
little darker in color i- preferred by BOme to that made from common
wheat. The dry-land farmer by using durum Hour and thus creating
a demand for it and by growing only the besl variety of durum
wheat and keeping it pure may bring it- price more nearly to the
level of that of common spring wheat.
w i\ rii: w ii i:a i
Winter wheat ha- been tried at each of the three experiment farm-.
hut only at Bellefourche ha- it proved a decided BUCCess. In both
1908 and 1909 good yield- were obtained. Both crops were BOWD
on land broken in the spring of 1907, that for the 1909 crop having
been summer-fallowed during 1908. Two plat- of each variety were
-own in 1908, with the exception of the Crimean (■. I. No. [435 and
the Kharkof (G. I. No. L583). One plat was sown September 15 and
[Or. :.:>1
14
DRY-LAND GRAINS FOR NORTH AND SOUTH DAKOTA.
the other October .">. The average of all the plats of each variety is
given in t he following table:
Table VI. Yield per acn oj winter wheat grown >"i III l>\K been in fa\ or qf the winter wheat. The wintei
wheal usuall} sells for the same price as the common spring wheat
ami has the further advantage thai b) growing it the farmer is able
in distribute his work over a greater part of the year.
OATS
Oats have had a prominent place in the experiments at all three
experiment farm- Variet} tests have been conducted for two years
at Bellefourche, for three at Dickinson, and for seven at Highmore.
Tables VII, VIII. and IX shov the an una I and a\ erage \ ields of the
different varieties at each experiment farm for these periods.
Tablk VII. — Yield jn -
■
.. 1
No
in
•
II UI
-
.- 8
/
-
1
Yellow i ■ • ui'
ii
T.mii b VIII. — Yield jh
0. 1
-
ll J
Bush.
Bu$h.
-
;
i>4 1
1 1 l
-
-
Red Vlgi
18 *
17 8
4 ;
151
411
441
in Prolific
IV,
154
Whit
ii ;
[Or. .V.I]
a Not comparable with others.
16
DRY-LAND GRAINS FOR NORTH AND SOUTH DAKOTA.
TABLE IX. Yield pir urn of Oats (jroun nt the t.i jjir'niu < id farm, Dickinson, N. Dal:.,
from 1907 to 1909, inclusive.
<;. I.
No.
386
366
300
354
168
376
160
163
497
344
493
378
491
551
483
492
196
16S
134
Early Mountain.
Kherson
Black Brio
White Tartarian.
Canadian
Heine's Prolific. . .
Banner
American Beauty.
Black Mogul. . ..".
Colden Rain . . .
Beseler No. 1...
Hvitling
White Russian.
Shatilovsky. . . .
I.igowo
Black Bell
Sixty-Day
Swedish Select.
Variety.
1907.O
1908.a
Bushels.
Bushfls.
80.9
h 36. 8
79.0
47.5
75.3
48.1
68. 1
411 S
72.8
33.9
70.0
42.0
81.2
33.3
63. 1
40.2
46.8
41.6
48.4
41.6
50.9
46. 6
65.9
34.5
35.2
52.8
63. 1
32.0
42. 6
39.2
62.8
28.1
23.1
44.1
36.0
37.5
47.8
36.6
58.2
37.2
46. 9
1909.
Bushels.
90.0
79.8
81.3
81.5
83.1
77.8
71.6
75.0
89.4
86.5
77.8
73.3
C82.2
69.7
78. 5
64.3
82.6
75. 3
40.0
81.3
Average.
Bushels.
68.8
68.2
63.5
63.3
Ii3.3
62.
59.4
59.3
58.8
58.4
57.9
56. 7
54.9
51.8
51.7
49.9
49.6
41.5
" From First Annual Report o' the Dickinson Sub- Experiment Station, 1908.
' A verage of t bree check plats.
e Average of four check plats.
BEI.LEFOURCHE.
The best yielding oat varieties at Bellefourehe are the Kherson
and the Sixty-Day. They seem to be practically identical in both
yield and appearance. The only difference noted is that the Kherson
is one or two days later in maturing; than the Sixty-Day and is
slightly taller. The average 3-ields are 36.4 and 36.3 bushels per
acre, respectively. The Swedish Select ranks third, with a yield of
33.3 bushels per acre. Other varieties range in yield from 18.5 to
30 bushels per acre.
HICHMORE.
Only Sixty-Day and Swedish Select oats have been grown at High-
more for the full period of seven years. In 1906 the former was
grown on sorghum ground, and therefore was not comparable with the
other varieties. A plat of the Swedish Select on sorghum ground
by the side of the Sixty-Day yielded 42. S bushels per acre, or 22
bushels less than the plat of the same variety in the regular variety
test. The average of the Swedish Select for seven years on ground
comparable with the Sixty-Day is 41.5 bushels. The average yield
of t he latter for the same period is 40.2 bushels. A four-year average
from 1006 to 1909, inclusive, of all varieties (Table VIID shows the
Kherson in the lead, with a yield of 41.5 bushels, and the Swedish
Select a close second, with a yield of 41.3 bushels. Had the Sixty-
Day been grown on comparable ground in 1906 it would undoubtedly
have equaled either of these in yield.
[Cir. 59]
m;y LAND DRAINS FOR NORTH IND SOUTH DAKOTA. 17
DICKINSON
The Earl} Mountain oal has produced the highest average yield at
Dickinson, as shown in Table IX It ranked first in 1009 and sec I
in 1907. («. I No t86 ranks Becond and the Kherson third for the
three years. The average yield of ilir Kherson variet) is less than a
bushel Ix'h'u that of the Earl} Mountain. Unfortunately, compar
able yields have not been secured for the Sixt} Da} and the Swedish
Select for t he lull period.
OENEBAl i'i ■ ■
The preceding tables -I u >\\ that for the full period for which tests
have been conducted the Sixt} Da} and the Kherson oat varieties
have yielded the highest al Bellefourche, the Swedish Select at High-
more, and the Earl} Mountain at Dickinson. The Kherson oat,
which ha-- 1 n grown at Highmore for four years, has given the highest
average yield for that period. The average yield of the Sixt D
when grown "ii comparable ground is only slightl} less than that of
the Swedish Select. At Dickinson the Kherson has yielded about
a bushel less than the Marly Mountain, the highest yielding variet}
at that place. The latter usuall} matures about ten days later than
the former and therefore has the advantage in favorable seasons "f a
longer period in which to mature.
In general, early varieties are the mosl promising For the northern
Great Plains. Over most of this area a light summer rainfall and
high temperatures are the rule. Consequently, late oats are often
injured l>\ drought and high temperatures al a critical stage of their
development. The Sixty-Da} and the Kherson are good, early
maturing varieties and will usuall} produce profitable yield-. The
Swedish Select variety, which matures about ten days later than the
Sixty- Day and the Kherson varieties, has given good yields wherever
grown.
In the northern portion of the area, with it- lower temperat ures and
with conditions generally more favorable t>> the production of oats, it
i- probable that later varieties i an I"- grown with equal succi
BARl 11
Tables X. XI. and XII -how the yields of nine varieties <>f barley
grown in field tests al Bellefourche, of fifteen at Highmore, and of
eleven at Dickinson. The poorest varieties are continually being
discarded and more promising ones added, so that the number grown
each year \ aries
[Cir. 59]
IS
DR1 LAND GRAINS FOR NORTH AND SOUTH DAKOTA.
Table X. Yield per acr< of barley grown at th( experiment farm, Belief ourche, S. Dak.,
in 1908 / 1909.
Variety.
1908.
1909.
A VI !
G. 1
per
Yield.
per
Yield.
Weigh!
per
bushel.
Yield.
21
Banna
■row.,
do.
;:, 5
58 ii
29.0
1 2. (i
49.0
51.0
62.0
45. 5
51 ii
51.0
21. 1
17.3
9.6
9.0
19.8
22 1
22 1
19.2
51.5
47. 3
61.0
ea o
Bushels.
26 4
do
21 7
643
Manchuria
Six-row. ..
Bull
row...
21 7
262
13
w bite Hull li
10.5
182
do
.,1
Two- row. .
•
....do
a Average ol i wo i
Table XI. Yield per am of barley grown at iht experiment farm, TUghmore, S. Dak.,
from 1903 to 1909, inclusivi
Variety.
1903
!
1 V 2
11.0
In l
12.7
13 1
10. 1
1905.
Bush.
50 6
16 'i
53. 5
51.7
54 .'
54 I
47.9
41.9
1907.
1908.
1909.
A verage.
G.I.
Five
years
Seven
years
(1903-
1909).
24
Banna
Two-row. .
do
19 i
16 3
IK 1
] . G
is. 1
1 1. 1
15.6
10.6
Bush.
31.3
32. 7
so. r>
■27.7
21. I
21. l
21. G
21.5
18.5
26.0
22. 7
27.3
22. 7
22. 7
Bush.
38. i
28. l
26. l
22. 9
18.8
22 D
24. 1
27.7
32. 3
15.6
20.8
19.8
18.8
17.3
15.4
14.2
11.5
15.8
14.8
11.0
9.8
n 6
15 v
15 8
Bush.
32. 1
32. 1
31.9
31.2
29.0
27. J
32. 4
27.0
27
Bohemian. . - .
27.7
203
34
32
31
47
IN
531
Banna
Hanna Pedigreed
Bohemian.
Horn
Striegum
Golden Melon
Hannchen
do
do
do
do
do
....do
. do
27.1
26. !
24. (,
2X9
530
Chevalier. . -
do
529
in 8 17.9
532
Primus
do
40.0
36.0
42. 3
Minnesota No. 6
Minnesota No. 105
Odessa
Six-row . . .
do
....do
16 8
182
Table XII. Ynlrf per am of barley grown at thi i cperiment farm, Dickinson, N. huh..
from I'm', to 1909, inclusirt .
G. I.
No.
Variety.
i i
1
28. :<
29.3
31.4
27.
22. I
17.7
A vei
Two
1
34. 1
12 2
11.0
29.7
2.;. 2
lv.-,
Three
Hanna
Two :
. .do
Bushtls
52 l
34. i
Bushels.
in. l
1 1. '4
19.2
in. l
34.4
531
187
.. do...
530
i. i
529
Prin
532
Primus
575
Gatami
row...
'■'<
pounds in 1909.
Only three sis rowed varieties have been grown. Of these the
Minnesota No. 6 and the Odessa are the most promising. The Man
churia, the onlj six-rowed variet) grown both seasons, has an average
yield <>! 21.7 bushels, or 1.7 bushels less than that of the Hanna.
The hull-less varieties have not yielded as well as might be expected
from results secured elsev here.
1 1 1 ( ; 1 1 m 1 1 H i
[n a seven-year test at Highmore, including nine varieties of barley,
the Hanna (G. I. No. 24) leads, with a yield of 28.2 bushels per
re (Table XI , In a five-year trial, including thirteen variel
t lie* Hannchen (G. I. No. 531) has produced an average yield of
9 bushels, the highest for the period. The Bohemian (G. I. No.
and the Chevalier (G. 1. No. 530 varieties are next in yield, having
produced ■'!•"> and 32.4 bushels per acre, respectively. Only one
rowed variety, Minnesota No. 6, has been grown for the entire
seven-year period. Ii ranks fourth, with a yield of 26.6 bushels
per acre. The Odessa, which has been grown but three years, has
been the highest yielder of the six-rowed varieties for that period.
DICKTN80N .
Only five varieties of barley, including two each of the two-rowed
and six-rowed types and one of the hull-less, were grown at Dickin-
son in 1907. The Banna varietj (G. 1. No. 203 . with an average
yield of in. I bushels, ranks first for the three years Table XII .
The Imperial i- second, having produced 34.4 bushels jut acre.
For this period the yield of the Gatami, the besl six-rowed variety,
is 8.1 bushels belo^ thai of the Hanna. An average of all the
varieties for two years shows the Hannchen (G. I. No. 531 to have
been the best, with a yield of 13.2 bushels. The two varieties,
Swan" Neck and Chevalier, yielded nearly as much.
Mr M A.i arleton :' '
li.ni. in 1900: It came originally from Lib Austria. The Hanna <■ I
ind S. P.I.I Mr. D.G.F lirchild in January . 190 k
20 DRY-LAND GBAINS FOB NORTH AXD SOUTH DAKOTA.
For the three-year period the hull-less barley produced only a little
more than half as much as the best two-rowed variety, and for the
two-year period less than half.
GENERAL DISCUSSION.
At each experiment farm the two-rowed varieties of barley have
given the best yields. The Hanna barley (G. I. No. 24) has given
the highest average yield at Bellefourche and Highmore, but has
not been grown at Dickinson. The Hanna, G. I. No. 203, a strain
very similar to Hanna, G. I. No. 24, has given the highest yield
at the latter place. The Hannchen variety (G. I. No. 531), which
has been grown at Highmore for five years and at Dickinson for
two years, has given the highest average yields for those periods.
The principal disadvantage of the two-rowed varieties is that they
do not command as ready a market as the six-rowed varieties. For
feeding there is no appreciable difference between the two types.
The varieties of two-rowed barley recommended for western
North and South Dakota are the Hannchen and the Hanna (G. I.
Nos. 531 and 24). The Odessa and the Minnesota No. 6 are appar-
ently the best of the six-rowed varieties.
RATE-OF- SEEDING TESTS.
At Dickinson rate-of-seeding tests have been conducted for
three years with durum wheat, two years with oats, and one year
with common spring wheat. Tests with durum wheat, winter
wheat, and oats were inaugurated at Bellefourche in 1909. The
results at both experiment farms point to the conclusion that thick
seeding up to a certain point produces a greater yield in favorable
seasons, but in unfavorable seasons the thinner seeding does best.
As much of the work has been done in favorable seasons the presen-
tation of the results at this time would probably be misleading.
An interesting point in connection with the test on winter wheat
at Bellefourche is that seeding above 4 pecks per acre has increased
the percentage of winterkilling. The thicker seeding reduces the
supply of moisture available for each plant. During dry autumns
the probable result is that the plants are weakened by the lack of
moisture and for that reason are more easily killed.
It is recommended that thin seeding be practiced. Not more
than 5 pecks of durum wheat, 4 peeks of common spring wheat,
or 3 or 4 pecks of winter wheat should be sown per acre. Barley and
oats should not be sown thicker than (5 pecks per acre. Thinner
seeding than this is often recommended and is perhaps advisable
in most localities. While greater yields will be secured from thick
r fir. 59]
DB1 LAND GRAINS FOB NORTH >1 in DAKOTA. - J 1
seeding in favorable years, the gain will nol make up for the loan thai
i- certain to occur in drj
TIME OF SEEDING WINTER WHEAT
\ tesl i" determine the besl time for »eeding winter wheal was
begun mi tin- Bellofourche experimenl farm in the fall of 1907 and
ha- been continued to the presenl time. The plan "I the experimenl
involves sowing plats of the Turkey winter wheal al intervals of two
weeks, from Angusl I •"> to November I . Sufficienl data have nol been
Becured t" 9tate jusl when a farmer should bom his winter wheal t"
secure the best results. Apparently it i- not usualh advisable t"
seed later than October I. although ^•«><[ yields have been Becured
li\ sowing later. In some localities and in some seasons the besl
results will probabl} be obtained from seeding much earlier.
WINTER WHEAT AND SUMMER-FALLOW. WITH PARTICULAR
REFERENCE TO WESTERN SOUTH DAKOTA.
The present indications are thai if winter wheal i- to become a
paying crop in western South Dakota it must be grown on land
Bummer-fallowed the previous season. This is due i<> the facl thai
ordinarily the autumn rainfall is uol sufficient to germinate the
grain and keep it growing vigorously until winter. Recent inves-
tigations ai the Bellefourche experimenl farm indicate thai the
amount <>f moisture in the soil from the time of seeding until winter,
and the resulting vigor of growth are ven importanl factors in
determining the \\a\ in which the crop withstands the winter. They
are likewise important in determining the yield.
A plat of the Turkey winter wheal <> I No 3055 was sown on
corn ground in the fall of 1908, after the crop had been harvested
with a corn binder. This produced al the rate of 23.5 bushels per
acre, or _1 bushels less than the same variety sown on summer-
fallow. A plal was 3own after corn in the fall of 1909. Because of
dry weather this failed to germinate, as did several other plats -own
on ground plowed a short time before seeding and not summer-
fallowed. In 1908 th« plat on the corn ground was sown September
15, and in 1909 it was sown October 1.
Throughout t!n> northern Great Plain- the precipitation after
August i- usually very low. It doe- not seem possible, except during
favorable year-, to conserve enough moisture in the soil to germinate
and properly maintain a crop of winter wheat until the ground
freeze- by any mean- other than summer-fallowing.
r further information on : . Montana
cultural Experimenl Station; Bulletin 109, V iltural Experin
Station; and Bulletin 7t. Norl speriment -
[Or. 59]
^
22
DBY-LAND GBAINS FOB NORTH AND SOUTH DAKOTA.
Figure 1 illustrates the Turkey winter wheal on summer-fallow
at the Bellefourche experiment farm in 190!). The value of summer-
fallow for winter wheal is thai it is the surest means yet known for
obtaining a crop in seasons of extreme drought, and at the same
time appears to give larger yields in favorable seasons than can be
obtained by any system of rotation that includes intertilled crops.
Fig. 1.— Crop of Turkey winter wheat on summer-fallow at the experiment (arm, Bellefourche,
S. Dak., 1909. The foreground illustrates the method of summer-fallowing for the next crop.
MILLING AND BAKING TESTS.
Milling and baking tests of the principal varieties of wheat grown
at Bellefourche are being conducted in cooperation with the .North
Dakota Agricultural College for the purpose of determining the
relative value of the different classes and different varieties of wheat
for bread making. By cooperative agreement with the Bureau of
Chemistry of the United States Department of Agriculture, chemical
analyses are made of all the varieties of wheat that are milled.
I fir. 59]
Dm [.AND MKAIM L'TII DAKOTA.
^
Results have been secured on about fift< the
durum, the c moi ;,| the w inter w Ik ich year's crop.
Because of the complexity of the problem and the short period for
which the tests have been conducted, it seem* inadvisable to present
the results at the present time U i sufficient to state that in vie*
of the shou ing made in tin iouslj reported, the
Kubanka durum wheat (G. I. Nos. 1516 and I 1 10) and Turkey G I.
No 'nd Kharkof (Q. I. No. 1442 winter « ; i be recom-
mended as the best varieties for trial in the northern Great Plains.
SUMMARY.
The experiments of the Office of Grain In tiona sho* that
the success of the dry-land farmer will depend \. riallj upon
tin' \ ariet ies of grain he selects for his farm.
The variety tests herein reported sho* that with a normal rainfall
durum wheat yields from 25 to 75 percent more than the best va-
rieties of Bluestem and Fife. The indications are that in seasons of
extreme drought this difference will be much greater. The difference
in price need not cause apprehension on the part of the farmer. Ai
the prevailing prices a greater profit will be secured from the durum
u heat.
Experiments conducted at Bellefourche and at experiment stations
in other sections of the Great Plains indicate that there are extensive
areas in the northern Greal Plains where winter wheat can be suc-
sfully grown. In these areas it will be a profitable crop, since it
yields as well as durum wheal and commands a highei price on the
market.
Recent investigations show that varieties differ remarkablj in the
manner in which they withstand the winter. Ii would therefore b<
waste "I time and money for the farmer to attempt to groM am but
the verj I>
^=C0
>
K
o
(/)
^^^ MM CM
IT
—
z
3
CI
§g§j
24 DRY-LAND GRAINS FOB NORTH AND SOUTH DAKOTA.
CONCLUSIONS.
For the region herein discussed, western North and South Dakota.
the following conclusions are drawn:
(1) The success of the dry-land farmer will depend verj largely
upon the selection of varieties adapted to his conditions.
(2) Durum wheat is a more profitable crop than common spring
wheat. The best variety is the Kubanka (G. I. No. 1440 or G. I.
No. 1516).
(3) Winter wheat should be grown wherever it will survive the
winter. The best varieties are the Turkey (G. I. No. 3035) and the
Kharkof (G. I. No. 1442).
(4) Early or medium maturing varieties of oats, such as the Sixty-
Day, the Kherson, and the Swedish Select, should he grown.
(5) Two-rowed barleys yield better than the six-rowed varieties.
The best two-rowed barleys are the llanna (G. I. Nos. 24 and 203)
and the llannchen (G. 1. No. o.'A). The best six-rowed barleys are
the Odessa and the Minnesota No. G.
Approved:
James Wilson.
Secretan/ of Agriculture.
Washington, D. C, March SI, 1910.
[Cir. 59]
o