The Dickinson press., 1917-12-01

DURUM WHEAT
and HELP COUNTRY
The brief summary given below of
the varietal tests with grain at the
Dickinson sub-station is given with
the hope that it may be of some help
to those interested in increasing the
production of food crops for the
coming year. In these days more
than ever before we must make each
acre produce it's utmost. One way in
which we can do this is to grow those
varieties known to be the highest
yielders in this locality.
| Tests with different varieties Of
grain have been conducted at the sub
station during the past twelve years
to help the farmers decide what varie-
ties r most profitable to grow in
this locality. Results show that some
varieties yield much more than
others and where this is true for a
long period of time it will be safe and
profitable to grow the high yielding
varieties if seed of these varieties can
be obtained. For instance Kubanka
(durum) wheat for the past eleven
years has averaged 26 bushels per
acre. During the same time Rysting
Fife, a common variety, has yielded
nineteen bushels per acre, making a
difference of seven bushels more per
acre each year for the durum or
macaroni variety. Some do not like
durum bread for common use. Others
prefer it to that made from common
wheat. At this time we can afford
to lay aside matters of taste and
grow the highest yielding varieties,
thereby increasing the food supply Of
the nation.
Results of Wheat Tests
During the past year the different
groups Of wheat have given the fol-
lowing average yields.
Average yield per acre of
7 durum or macaroni varieties 1876 bu
10 Fife varieties -...-~---- 1876 bu.
7 winter varieties ..---.... 1916 bu.
4 velvet chaff varieties ........ 14.6 bu.
2 bluestem varieties ............. 14.5 bu.
The average yields for a long
period of time show about the same
relation to each other except that
winter wheat has usually yielded less
than any of the spring wheats and is
not to be recommended for growing
on a large scale to take the place Of
spring wheat in this section. Ku-
banka is recommended as one of the
highest yielding varieties of durum
wheat and if seed Of durum is not
o%btainable Marquis, the highest yield
ing Of the common wheats, is advised.
Oats
While oats and barley are not so
largely used for human food it is
just as important that the highest
yielding varieties be grown. Fewer
acres will then produce the amount
needed of these grains, leaving more
acres to devote to wheat, forage crops,
etc.
AS in previous years the midseason
varieties Of oats have yielded consid-
erab1y more than the early sixty-day
type or the late side oats. Among
the best yielders are the Early Noun
tain, Victory, Big Four, Silvermine,
and Golden Rain. Good homegrown
seed oats will be almost impossible
to obtain, due to the very low yields
and the prevalence of wild oats. A
few have almost discontinued grow
ing oats due to the mistaken belief
that tame oats will turn into wild
oats. Any that have clean oats free
from wild oats will do we'll to save
them for use for seed by themselves
and neighbours, and the same may be
said of wheat, barley or other grain
suitable for seed.
Barley
AS in the past the Proved varieties
of barley, Hannchen and Svanhals
(Swan Neck), again yielded consider
ably more than either the 6-rowed or
the hullless varieties. These two or
other similar Proved varieties are
recommended to grow if obtainable.
Emmer or Speltz
Emmer, commonly called speltz, is
rust and drouth resistant and in the
tests at the sub-station it has for d
number Of years yielded more in
pounds per acre than any other grain.
1t is we'll to include it in the grains
for live stock.
It is realized that due to the scar
city OF seed OF all crops it will be
impossible for all to obtain the de-
sired high yielding varieties for seed
next spring but the best seed obtain
able should be located and obtained as
early as possible. Home grown seed
is best if obtainable. It would be
well for those needing seed grain or
those having good seed not needed
by themselves or neighbors to COM
municate with the local or State Ex-
pertinent stations.
County Agent and Seed Grain
One of the many activities of the
county agent is to help the farmers
get pure seed of the varieties best
adapted to the county. If. Stark
county can get a county agent this
winter it will be Of great help IN
solving the seed grain problem and
will help us to continue to do our
bit by increasing the food production
Of the county.
RALPH W. SMITH.
RARpR 0ns@muvA