greater powers of resistance toward winter killing than do the common alfalfas, whether of northern or southern origin.

Nine plots of different strains of northern grown seed showed 55 per cent of winter killing and 3,840 pounds cured hay per acre in two cuttings. Two plots of southern grown seed showed 52 per cent of winter killing and 4,470 pounds of hay per acre. One imported variety (Turkestan) showed 31 per cent of winter killing and 5,540 pounds of hay per acre, while four plots of the variegated strains (Grimm and Baltic varieties) gave 27 per cent winter killing with 6,045 pounds of hay per acre. The results of these tests showed the unquestionably hardiness of the variegated strains in comparison with the common purple strains, whether the seed originated from either northern or southern grown stock.

A point of particular interest was brought out in the experimental work of last year. Observation showed conclusively that seedings of common alfalfa are much more susceptible to winter killing the second winter than they are the first. When the crop is grown under favorable conditions the new seedings are much hardier and more resistant to winter killing than those seedings over a year old. This is also true with variegated alfalfa, but the difference is much less marked.

The so-called "hardy alfalfas," the seed of which was derived from 25 to 35 year-old fields in Montana and Dakota, did not show any more resistance toward winter killing or superiority in yields to the common strains from those states. The past season's work with Turkestan variety showed a marked tendency to produce only two good crops or at most not more than three.

The common strains of alfalfa usually make a succulent fall growth, whereas the variegated strains become dormant earlier in the fall after the third cutting. The imported Turkestan also possesses this characteristic even to a more marked extent. This dormancy seems to protect the alfalfa plant as the spring growth of these types was much more thrifty and vigorous than the plots of common types of seed. These findings seem to show that the fall dormancy is a definite indication of the suitability of the strain to

stand severe winter conditions. In this connection it may be mentioned that the most tender strains known, Arabian and Peruvian alfalfas, which are grown in the extreme southwest, do not show any of this dormant characteristic. They recover rapidly after continued cutting, bearing six and seven crops during the season. They are, however, entirely worthless in this state on account of their extreme sensitiveness to frost and cold weather.

Considerable emphasis has recently been laid by many growers on the character of the root system of the plant in its relation to winter killing, it being generally believed that the tap root type is more readily winter killed than those strains possessing branched root systems. Comparative tests of 34 different strains have been made on two and three year old growths, and it does not seem possible to connect any very direct relation between the hardiness of the branched root plants in comparison with those which possess a tap root system. The observations made show that all of the principal varieties or strains of American grown alfalfa have both types of root systems.

THE NEW FORAGE CROP, SUDAN GRASS

The recently introduced tropical forage crop known as Sudan grass, which was brought over from Africa by the United States Department of Agriculture about five years ago, has been tried in various parts of the state for the last two years. The Agronomy department has found that the following facts are important in tests of the last two

years.

It is useless to seed this crop earlier than May 20, as the cool, wet weather which generally prevails at that time is not favorable for its rapid development. Seedings from June 1 to June 10 have therefore been found much more satisfactory. Due to the tillering habit of the plant, from 20 to 25 pounds of seed per acre are sufficient, if sown broadcast. From 22 to 4 tons with an average of 31⁄2 tons of hay per acre have been secured. The forage should be cut when the plants are fully headed and before the seed forms. On account of the tillering nature of the plant, hay of good quality can be secured even though

the earlier heads have gone to seed. The plant cures readily and with very little loss of leaves. As a soiling crop it furnishes a very large supply

of palatable feed at a time when there is a shortage of other crops. This years 12.8 tons of forage per acre were secured when sown in cultivated rows. The seed matures in the southern part of the state at least. It does especially well upon warm, sandy loams, and even gives good results on sandy soils. As it is a drought-resistant plant, it is especially suitable for those types of soils which suffer in this regard.

It cannot be expected that Sudan grass will replace any of the perennial forage legumes, but the yield and palatability of this hay over such annual forage grasses as millet will undoubtedly make it advantageous for use in this state where its greatest value will be as a catch

crop for hay, like soy beans, FIG. 14 SUDAN GRASS, A NEW

in places where alfalfa and clover have winter killed.

FORAGE PLANT

A dry weather annual grass that seems better than millet.

CORN FOR UPPER WISCONSIN

Further testing of Wisconsin No. 25 shows this strain to possess great usefulness for the upper parts of the state, as reported by Mr. Delwiche, who thinks for the sandy and sandy loam sections where the altitude is not more than 1,200 to 1,300 feet this variety is preferable. It matures about ten days earlier than the northern bred Wisconsin

No. 8 and is apparently as good a yielder, giving approximately 75 bushels per acre. This variety on account of its leafy character is well adapted for silage production. There is now available in the hands of cooperating farmers between 600 and 700 bushels of this northern developed strain for dissemination.

For the cooler climate and heavier soils of the Superior region, as is represented by the Ashland Station, Wisconsin No. 25, Wisconsin No. 23, Northwestern Dent, and Whitecap Dent have been found to mature sufficiently to make good silage. The Smut Nose Flint, while not as prolific for

FIG. 15-A HYBRID CORN FOR UPPER WISCONSIN Wisconsin No. 25 ripens ten days earlier than No. 8 and produces 75 bushels per acre.

WORK IN WHEAT BREEDING

This work has been continued now some years at both the Branch and Central stations. At Madison, B. D. Leith (Agronomy) has continued the work of variety testing in experimental plots. The severity of the past winter, afforded an excellent opportunity to study winter killing. Pedigree No. 2 withstood the winter and gave the highest yield (45.8 bushels per acre in test plots and 36.2 bushels in field tests).

As to milling tests, this No. 2 strain surpasses all others grown as to volume of loaf and is equalled in gluten content by only one other strain.

At Ashland, Mr. Delwiche has developed a number of pure line selections and cross selections which show exceptional merit. Some of these types gave an increase of 25 per cent over the standard Blue Stem type. Several of these pedigree strains yielded this year from 51 to 55 bushels per acre. The soft winter varieties yielded about 4 bushels more per acre than the hard winters. Efforts have been made to improve by selection the rust resisting qualities

FIG. 16-WHEAT GROWING IS ON THE INCREASE IN WISCONSIN High prices and high yields are again bringing wheat into the Wisconsin rotation. This field of Wisconsin Pedigree No. 2 Winter wheat yielded 36.2 bushels per acre

of these strains for this is apparently the chief drawback to successful wheat culture throughout the upper counties. Soil conditions do not seem to exert as much effect as weather conditions, as with favorable weather spring wheats give excellent returns in this section.

With winter wheats, crosses have been made between the eastern and the hard winter types. Results with these have been successful especially in central Wisconsin, as at Marshfield. One cooperator reports a yield of over 40 bushels per acre for two years in succession with one of these pure line strains.