Gleanings from the Annual Report By

BIMONTHLY BULLETIN VOLUME VI, NUMBER 3, JAN. 1944 13

H, L. WALSTER, Director

ACH YEAR the Director of the Station renders an annual report to the Governor of the State and to the E Secretary of the Treasury of the United States covering both the fiscal and scientific happenings of the previous experimental year. This year the director has set up a set of questions and of the answers obtained either during the year or arrived at during the year as result, perhaps, of several years experimentation. A series of these questions and answers will be printed in succeeding issues of the Bimonthly Bulletin. Because of the immediate interest in different aspects of crop problems this issue is confined to recent information on such problems. How much foundation seed did by North Dakota farmers in 1943 the Station distribute directly under contract with the Station? from the Stations in 1943? Stewart durum—18000 bushels Carleton durum—6000 bushels North Dakota seed producers Ns 2829 wheat—15000 bushels interested in getting and main- B. Golden flax—2000 bushels taining pure stocks of seed were Koto flax—3000 bushels supplied with the following Renew flax—750 bushels quantities of seed of the variety B 5128 flax—750 bushels or selection designated: B 5585 (Victory) flax— Hard Red Spring Wheat 225 bushels Pilot 13 wheat—53 bushels C. 1.1073 flax—80 bushels Rival wheat—5 bushels WHEAT QUESTIONS Durum wheats (supplied by Far- What lies ahead in durum breed- go and Langdon Stations) ing? Stewart—1161 bushels Through the splendid coopera- Carleton—402 bushels tion afforded by the Division of Oats Cereal Crops and Diseases of the Marion—217 bushels Bureau of Plant Industry, Soils, Barley and Agricultural Engineering, Tregal—390 bushels Agricultural Research Adminis- tration, United States Depart- Flax ment of Agriculture, in assign- Koto—169 bu. (under contract) ing Mr. Glenn S. Smith, assistant Renew—45 bu. " agronomist, to this Station as a B5128—27V2 bu. " cooperator in charge of durum B 5585 (Victory) breeding two new varieties of 16 bu. durum, named Carleton and About how much choice seed Stewart have been developed of new varieties was produced and distributed by this Station— 14 NORTH DAKOTA AGRICULTURAL, EXPERIMENT STATION the first hybrid durum wheats (Data supplied by T. E. Stoa, to be grown commercially in the Agronomist) United States. How much does phosphate fer- Glenn S. Smith, breeder of tilizer help? Carleton, a stiff-strawed durum, and of Stewart, a somewhat In four years trials at the higher yielding durum has now Langdon Substation under the set his eyes on a new goal in supervision of Superintendent durum breeding, namely the pro- Victor Sturlaugson, wheat on un- duction of earlier varieties with fertilized plots has returned an shorter straw. Hybrid material average annual yield of 23.9 of this character is now being bushels per acre; a 0 - 43 - 0 grown in Station greenhouses. phosphate fertilizer application Progress is also being made in made an average yield of 26.2 selecting a strain of durum bushels per acre; a 6 - 30 - 0 ap- promising resistance to the black plication of ammonium phos- point disease. phate fertilizer made 28.0 bushels to the acre, and a 10-48-0 Is the gluten or the starch in a granulated ammonium phos- wheaten flour the more import- phate fertilizer made 29.3 bush- ant in determining the length els to the acre. All these fertiliz- of time that a flour dough ers were applied at th'e rate of 50 should be machine mixed? pounds per acre. In 1943 a straight phosphate fertilizer 0-43-0 As a result of studies in which failed to increase yields as it had the mixing performance of flour done in the previous three years, doughs has been tested in a re- whereas the ammonium phos- cording dough mixer, R. H. Har- phate increased yields. Such dis- ris, Cereal Technologist, finds cordant results are not unusual that the gluten is the factor of in fertilizer trials, hence the ne- chief consequence. He now pro- cessity for continuing them over poses to discover what particular a long period of years in order part of the gluten is responsible to secure dependable results. for this behavior. How much greater wheat yields What may one expect from con- may we expect from growing tinuous wheat cropping on the wheat in rotation than under Fargo clay at Fargo? continuous culture on the Fargo clay soil? As an average of the period 1919 to 1942 inclusive continuous In the period 1919 - 1942 in- wheat sowed in 6-inch drills on clusive, wheat after sweet clover unmanured land returned an av- returned average annual yields erage annual yield of 16.0 bush- of 23.9 bushels per acre in the els per acre of hard red spring rotation corn, barley, sweet clov- wheat. When sowed in 12-inch er, wheat. When field peas were drills and given some annual in- used in place of sweet clover in ter-tilling but no manure the av- a similar rotation the average erage annual vield for the same annual yield was 23.2 bushels period was 17.3 bushels. In 1943. per acre but when millet or tim- the 6-inch drills returned 20.3 othy was substituted the average bushels per acre, and the 12-inch annual yields dropped to 16.5 drills 17.7 bushels per acre. bushels per acre, only insignifi- BIMONTHLY BULLETIN VOLUME VI, NUMBER 3, JAN. 1944 15 cantly better than under contin- cooperation with the Walsh uous culture. In the same period County Agricultural School at wheat after winter rye in the Park River 8 varieties and selec- four year rotation corn, winter tions of hard red spring wheats rye, wheat, sweet clover re- and 3 Durum wheats were turned average annual yields of tested at that point. 20.9 bushels per acre. All of the In general, the comparison of foregoing yields were in unman- varieties as to yield and disease ured rotations. resistance, observations were similar in 1943 to those in 1942 What causes "black point" on hence there will be no detailed wheat kernels? discussion in this report. In the "Black points" on wheat ker- trials at Fargo selection Ns 2829 nels are most often associated led all hard red spring wheats, with the fungus, Alternaria spp. and in the trials at Langdon all according to W. E. Brentzel, sta- varieties of hard spring wheat tion plant pathologist. Other fun- were high yielders with little gi and bacteria may also cause difference, except a significantly this trouble. In 1942 Brentzel lower yield of Marquis wheat. found much black point caused The differences in yield at by Helminthosporium sativum as Edgeley and Dickinson were not well as by Alternaria. Seed dis- of a high order and the same can infectants such as Ceresan quite be said of Williston. There were regularly increased the yield of large differences between varie- grain from black point-infected ties at Park River, Regent being seed. notably low. There was some leaf rust What did the Station learn about on varieties in the eastern wheat varieties in 1943? part of the State in 1943, and the The Station tested 22 varieties black chaff disease was generally and hybrid selections of hard red rather common, as were also cer- spring wheat at Fargo in 1943, tain areas where blight and scab and 8 varieties and selections of infection were common. The Durum wheats. 15 hard red reader is referred to report on spring wheats were tested at wheats published in the Bi- Langdon, and since Langdon is monthly Bulletin of this Station, in the principle Durum area it January, 1943, article on "Pro- tested 12 varieties and hybrid gress in Improvement of Wheat selections of Durum wheat. The Varieties for North Dakota." Edgeley station tested 12 varie- Reprints will be sent to inter- ties and selections of spring ested inquirers. wheat and 3 varieties and selections of Durum. The Dickinson What is the effect of advancing station, a western station, tested maturity upon the moisture con- 26 varieties and selections of tent of a hard red spring wheat hard red spring wheat and 3 (Thatcher), and of an amber du- varieties of Durum wheat. The rum (Carleton) and correspond- Williston station (Upland) tested ingly upon test weight per bush- 11 varieties of hard red spring el, unofficial grade, and other wheat and no Durum. The Het- characteristics? tinger station tested 9 varietiesj Samples of Thatcher wheat of hard red spring wheats. Inl harvested and threshed out July 16 NORTH DAKOTA AGRICULTURAL, EXPERIMENT STATION

16, 20, 27, and August 2, con- FEED CROP QUESTIONS tained 69%, 59.8%, 47.7% and How does the Agronomy depart- 24.7% moisture at these respec- ment at the Experiment Station tive dates; weighed 42.8 lbs., 54.3 rate the different varieties of lbs., 60.9 lbs., and 62.1 lbs., to the oats with respect to percent of bushel at these respective date, crown rust under conditions at were rated as to unofficial grade Fargo, where rust was severe? Sample grade Red Spring; No. 4 Northern Spring; No. 1 Hard Crown rust (a leaf rust) in- Dark Northern Spring; and No. fection on oats ranged from as 1 Hard Dark Northern Spring at little as 3 percent on the highly these respective dates. On July crown rust resistant varieties 16, Thatcher wheat contained such as Vicland and Boone to as 14.3% protein, on July 20 13.6%; hieh as 95 percent on Gopher, on July 27, 13.4%, on August 2, Exeter, and Victory, according 14.3% protein. The flour yield to T. E. Stoa, Station Agrono- on July 16, was 48.9%, on July mist. 20, 62.0%, on July 27, 70.1%, and Rainbow, although having a on August 2, 70.7%. Flour ash high resistance to stem rust, was 0.78% on July 16, 0.59% on showed 60 percent infection with July 20, 0.46% on July 27, and crown rust. Marion rusted to the 0.47% on August 2. The crumb extent of 65 percent, Vanguard color steadily improved with ad- 75 percent, Tama and other rust vancing maturity. Loaf volumes resistant varieties showed from 3 were 145 c.c. on July 16, 155 c.c. to 5 percent infection. Ajax on July 20, 172 c.c. on July 27, showed 35 percent crown rust and 165 c.c. on August 2. at Fargo, but in spite of that Carleton durum wheat harvested fact, equalled in yield such va- and threshed July 22 contained rieties as Vicland and Tama. 69.0% moisture," on July 28, Ajax however produced decided- 57.4% moisture, on August 3, ly lighter oats. 51.2% moisture, and on August Ajax led in yields at Fargo, 10, 24.4% moisture. The weights Edgeley, and Langdon, and was per bushel at the respective insignificantly outyielded b y dates were 46 lbs., 60.1 lbs., 61.2 Rainbow at Park River. Vicland lbs., and 62.3 lbs., the respective and Exeter topped the yields at unofficial grades were Sample Williston on the upland non-irri- Grade Durum, No 1 Amber Dur- gated station and Vicland led all um; No. 1 Hard Amber Durum, others under irrigation, Exeter and No. 1 Hard Amber Durum, not being included. the respective protein percent- The reader is referred to a re- ages were 12.8%, 12.3%, and view of progress in testing oats 12.2%, and 13.7%, the respective varieties which was published in flour yields were 50.6%, 64.8%, the Bimonthly Bulletin by T. E. 69.5%, and 67.2%, and the re- Stoa and C. M. Swallers in Jan. spective ash contents of the flour 1943, Vol. V, p. 17-22. Reprints were 0.95%, 0.68%, 0.63%, and will be sent on request. 0.69%. How did the station rate the (Data supplied by R. H. Harris, Cereal Technologist, and L. D. Barley varieties in 1943? Sibbitt. Assistant Cereal Tech- Barley variety trials were con- nologist.) ducted at seven points in the BIMONTHLY BULLETIN VOLUME VI, NUMBER 3, JAN. 1944 17

State. Trials at Fargo were dam- The yield in bushels per acre aged by excessive water in early of the seven different varieties June, hence results were con- at the irrigation station at Wil- sidered less dependable than liston were Trebi, 77.1; Velvon, usual. "Kindred" was the high- 54.4; Tregal, 52.6; Manchuria, est yielder at Fargo with 28.5 45.0; Spartan, 43.4; Wisconsin 38, bushels per acre. It was followed 32.8; Plush, 26.9. The standard by the following varieties, yields error was 14.73%, and the signi- stated in bushels per acre: ficant difference was 8 bushels. Relatively better yields were ob- Manchuria, 27.3; Trebi, 26.2; Min. tained on the non-irrigated sta- II—30-45, 23.8; Tregal, 22.8; Olli, tion at Williston as follows: Vel- 22.0; Velvon, 21.3; Spartan, a von 83.4; Tregal, 78.5; Trebi, two-rowed varietv, 20.9; "Mag- 72.6; Plush, 68.9; Manchuria, 66.5; nusson" 16.1; Plush, 14.6; and and Spartan, a two-rowed vari- Wisconsin 38, 13.6. The standard ety, 65.8 bushels per acre. The error was 9.26%, and the signifi- standard error on the immedi- cant difference was 3.3 bushels ately foregoing tests was 4.28%, per acre. and the significant difference The yields in bushels per acre was 4.4 bushels. for the seven varieties tested at Five varieties tested at Hettin- Langdon were as follows: Trebi, ger returned yields in bushels 64.2; Plush, 62.9; Tregal, 60.4; per acre as follows: Spartan, Velvon, 59.8; Manchuria, 55.4; 31.3; Tregal, 23.6; Trebi, 14.2; Wisconsin 38, 51.9; Ezond, 51.9. Manchuria, 12.9 and Wisconsin The standard error was 3.04%, 38, 12.2. The standard error was and the significant difference 16.1%, and the significant differ- was 2.9 bushels. ence was 4.9 bushels. For further The yield in bushels per acre information see article on barley for the nine varieties tested at in this issue of the Bimonthly Edgeley were: Trebi, 47.1; Vel- Bulletin. von, 44.3; "Kindred" 43.1; Wis- consin 38; 42.9, Manchuria, 39.6; FLAX QUESTIONS Tregal, 39.2, Odessa 38.5, Plush, What is the story with respect 36.9, and Spartan, a two-rowed to flax varieties in 1943? variety, 32.8. The standard error That 1943 was a stern year for was' 10.3% and the significant testing flax varieties is evident difference was 5.9 bushels. from the report of T. E. S-toa, The yield in bushels per acre Agronomist. For some reason for the twelve varieties and rust which was of serious con- selections tested at Dickinson sequence 10 to 15 miles from the were: Station at Fargo, was not an im- Odessa, 33.9; Velvon, 31.0; Trebi, portant factor in determining 30.9; Manchuria, 30.5; Plush, 30.2, yields at the Fargo Station. Tregal, 30.1, Hex, 28.9, Hann- Neither was pasmo as heavy at chen, 28.7, Steigum, 28.5, Spar- the Fargo Station as in an area tan, 24.2, Ezond 22.0, Lico, 19.6. southwest of Fargo. Eastern, Spartan, Hannchen, Steigum, central and northern portions of and Rex are two-rowed varieties. North Dakota reported moderate The standard error was 18.4%, to heavy rust on flax. The high- and the significant difference est yielding flaxes at Fargo in was 8.0 bushels. 1943 of the 26 varieties tested 18 NORTH DAKOTA AGRICULTURAL, EXPERIMENT STATION were B. 147, and B 5128, two un- better stands of flax (i.e. better named selections each of which emergence) were established yielded 16.4 bushels per acre. when the flaxseed was treated The lowest yielding variety was with such seed disinfectants as Renew with 9.4 bushels per acre. Ceresan, Spergon, or Arasan. The standard error was 15.36%, and the significant difference 3.5 CORN QUESTIONS bushels. Bison flax yielded 13.6 What progress is being made by bushel per acre, a yield not sig- the Experiment Station in devel- nificantly below the highest oping hybrid corn suitable for yielding variety. The highest North Dakota? yielding variety at the Edgeley substation was B5128 with 15.2 Wm. Wiidakas, plant breeder bushels per acre and the lowest in charge of corn breeding re- was Walsh with 8.9 bushels per ports that the Station has re- acre at Edgeley. The standard leased four early North Dakota error was 18.2% and the signifi- corn hybrids. Of these Nodak- cant difference 3.0 bushels. The hybrid 201, 202, and 203 have highest yielding varieties at the been found to be well suited to Langdon substation were B 5128 northeastern, central, and west- and Renew, each with 28.2 bush- ern North Dakota. These three els per acre, the lowest was Bison hybrids grow taller, bear ears with 21.6 bushels per acre. The higher on the stalk, and are more standard error was 6.9% and the resistant to lodging and smut significant difference 2.8 bushels. that the commonly grown open The highest yielding variety at pollinated variety, Falconer, and the Dickinson substation was yield as high or higher. In 1943 B 5128 with 12.2 bushels per acre foundation seed stocks for 435 and the lowest yielding variety acres were released. The founda- was Biwing with 6.2 bushels per tion seed stocks produced in 1943 acre. Bison returned 7.2 bushels should make it possible to plant per acre. The standard error 800 to 1000 acres for production was 22.1% and the significant of Nodakhybrid seed corn in difference 3.2 bushels. Under 1944. irrigation conditions at Williston Nodakhybrids 14, 203, 201, 202, the highest yielding variety was and 302 were tested by four R522 (C. 1.977) with 37.6 bushels farmers near Dickinson. All pre- per acre. This was closely fol- ferred Nodakhybrid 203 for pick- lowed by B5128 with 35.1 bushels ing, 14 was liked because earli- per acre. The lowest yielding va- est, of high yield, and good quali- riety was Bison with 24.7 bushels ty. Nodakhybrid 202 was se- per acre. The standard error lected as a preferred variety by 11.75% and significant difference a Red River Valley farmer near was 3.8 bushels. Fargo, while a second Red River Valley cooperator selected No- Will treatment of low germinat- dakhybrid 302 as his preference ing flaxseed with seed disinfect- because of resistance to lodging. ants increase the stand of flax? Some 254 acres of Nodakhybrid In trials conducted in 1943 with seed producing fields were har- several varieties of low germin- vested in 1943 from the founda- ating flaxseed, W. E. Brentzell, tion seed supplied by the station Plant Pathologist, found that with the estimated production of BIMONTHLY BULLETIN VOLUME VI, NUMBER 3, JAN. 1944 19

3000 to 3800 bushels of Nodak- corn breeder, with the coopera- hybrld seed. tion of substation superintend- ents and other cooperators in- How did certain Nodakhybrids, cluding the main station at Far- hybrid corns produced by this go. substations at Edgeley, Dick- Station, compare in yield with inson, and Williston and on other hybrids and open pollin- farms in Grand Forks and Bur- ated varieties in 1943? leigh counties. Strictly comparable tests were The average yield of these six conducted by Wm. Wiidakas, trials follow:

Fodder yield Yield per Moisture in 2 acre corn at per acre harvest1

Early Falconer 32.2 bus. 41.0% 2.01 tons Nodakhybrid 203 32.0 bus. 36.2% 1.80 tons Nodakhybrid 201 35.3 bus. 38.1% 2.08 tons Nodakhybrid 202 33.1 bus. 39.7% 1.98 tons Nodakhybrid 204 33.1 bus. 42.8% 1.93 tons Wisconsin Hybrid 240 33.6 bus. 39.8% 1.97 tons Wisconsin Hybrid 255 31.2 bus. 39.2% 2.02 tons Medium Early Minn. 13 (Haney strain) 27.9 bus. 43.5% 1.97 tons Rainbow (Mandan strain) 33.9 bus. 47.1% 2.92 tons Minhybrid 800 29.9 bus. 45.9% 2.27 tons Wis. Hybrid 279 30.5 bus. 46.3% 2.05 tons Minhybrid 702 29.3 bus. 48.7% 2.15 tons 1 Average moisture in cars from trials at Fargo, Grand Forks and Burleigh County. 2 Aver age fodder yields at Fargo, and substations at Edgeley and Dickinson.

SOYBEAN QUESTIONS 9.7; Wis. Black 9.1; Agron. Sel 3, 7.3; Ontario 5.9. Goldsoy, Norsoy, What did the Station learn about and Early Mandarin are being Soybeans in 1943? increased for ultimate distribu- tion. (Data supplied by T. E. Soybeans did surprisingly well Stoa, Agronomist.) in 1943 in spite of late planting (June 23) and early frost (Sep- Is the Station doing any breed- tember 9 and 10). The several varieties, planted in drilled rows ing work on Soybeans? two feet apart returned the fol- This Station is cooperating ex- lowing average yields in bushels tensively with the Regional Soy- per acre: Goldsoy 17.9; Early bean Laboratory of the United White Eyebrow 17.0; Kabott 16.5; States Department of Agricul- Early Mandarin 15.2; Norsoy ture. Four plant breeding nur- 14.2; Mandarin (McRostie strain) series were planted at Fargo in 11.8; Pagoda 11.3; Kagon 11.1; 1943. Nursery No. 1 included 25 Cayuga 11.0; Minsoy 9.9; Manchu early selections planted on June 20 NORTH DAKOTA AGRICULTURAL, EXPERIMENT STATION

10 in single rows, replicated four S. Department of Agriculture times, rows 18 inches apart. The showed oil content ranging from average yields in bushels per a low of 16.1% to a high of acre from this nursery were as 20.7%; and an iodine number follows: Wis. Mandarin 839-14, (Wijs) ranging from a low of 25.4; Goldsoy 24.6; Dimmock- 132.3 to a high of 144.4, and a Mandarin 20.4; Wis. Mandarin protein content ranging from a 507, 19.7; Minsoy 19.2; Kabott low of 33.3% and a high of 18.5; H4 17.8; Mandarin 17.6; On- 39.8%. tario 16.1; Mandarin (McRostie) 14.4; H3 14.2; Pagoda 13.0; H2 Goldsoy outyielded 14 other 12.7; Wis. Man. 606, 11.4; P. I. varieties and strains in nursery 92470, 10.8; H5, 10.7; Wis. Man. No. 2 planted June 10 in tripli- Sei. 3, 7.5; Man. 831, 6.9; Wis. cated two-row plots, rows 18" Man. 3, 6.6; HI 50; OA.C. 211, apart returning 29.9 bushels per 4.8;Habaro 4.6; Earlyana 3.8; P. I. acre as compared with only 17.4 68666, 3.4; Richland 2.8. Chemi- for Minsoy. cal analysis made by the Region- (Data supplied by T. E. Stoa, al Soybean Laboratory of the U. Agronomist.)

SWEET CLOVE QUESTIONS Does sweet clover have any in- of sweet clover; just how much sect enemies? damage the grubs do is not known but it is probably not The Department of Entomolo- serious. gy (J. A. Munro and H. S. Tel- ford) report that the sweet clo- What are the effects of different ver weevil (Sitona cylindricollis systems of handling sweet clover (Fabr.)) was noted in North Da- upon the soil moisture in Fargo kota for the first time in 1941 clay soils? when it appeared in Williams In an extensive series of sam- and Pierce counties. By 1942 it ples taken late in the fall each was fairly abundant in the north- year on land to be sown to wheat eastern counties and as far south the following year, T. E. Stoa, as Federal Highway No. 10. The Agronomist, and Clarence Swal- southern counties suffered little lers, Assistant in Agronomy, damage in 1943. have determined the percentage The adult weevils eat the of moisture at 0-6"; at 6" - 12"; at leaves of the sweet clover plant, 12" - 24; at 24" - 36" and at 36" - frequently destroying all of the 48". Results have been reported leaves. The grub or immature in percentages of the dry weight forms spend their existence in of soil. As an average of the the soil feeding upon the roots period 1939 to 1943 the following BIMONTHLY BULLETIN VOLUME VI, NUMBER 3, JAN. 1944 21 following year—the first column indicates the cropping or treat- amounts of moisture were found ment of the soil previous to seed- on land intended for wheat the ing wheat:

Moisture in 12-24" 24-36" 36-48" Treatment given: 0-6" 6-12" layer layer layer layer layer Fallow (no sweet clover) 35.4% 34.0% 34.3% 32.5% 32.7% 2nd yr. sweet clovr plowed under at about 4" height, then sown to flax "29.0% 30.9% 28.6% 28.9% 29.0% 2nd yr. sweet clover plowed under at about 4" height, then fallowed 36.1% 35.4% 33.7% 31.1% 30.6% 2nd yr. sweet clover plowed under when 8" to 12" high for green manure, and then fal- 33.7% 30.3% 32.5% lowed 34.2% 33.5% 2nd yr. sweet clover 1 crop of hay removed, plowed midsea- 29.8% 32.5% son and fallowed 32.1% 32.8% 32.2% 2nd yr. sweet clover 2 hay crops removed fall plowed 29.6% 30.1% 30.7% 28.2% 28.6% 2nd yr. sweet clover 1 hay crop and a seed crop removed, fall plowed 27.0% 29.4% 29.0% 25.0% 28.2%

It is evident that the longer the varieties were not large. Prob- sweet clover occupies the land ably what is more important the more it pulls down the soil than attempting to find a weevil moisture. Emphasis is also laid resistant variety of sweet clover on the fact that these samples is to choose a variety which will were taken in years of relatively produce the greatest amount of high precipitation. foliage in the early part of the season. Do all sweet clover varieties suf- fer the same amount of sweet Has the sweet clover weevil any clover weevil injury? natural enemies? Examinations made by Station The humble Great Plains toad entomologists of leaves of sweet (Bufo cognatus), which abounds clover collected August 7, 1943, in North Dakota, particularly in indicated some difference in the wet seasons, is a heavy feeder extent of injury, i.e. number of on insects. Station entomologists feeding notches left by the wee- examined 74 specimens taken vil. Their observations (in coop- from the neighborhood of sweet eration with the Department of clover fields in 1943. Sweet clo- Agronomy) showed Grundy ver weevils were found in 54 of County variety was the least in- these toads, and on the average jured and Sangamon the most made up nearly 60 percent of the injured. The 15 varieties ob- number of all insects eaten by served in these were planted the toads. These 54 friendly May 22, 1943. Differences in de- toads consumed 1407 sweet clo- gree of insect injury as between ver weevils, as well as numerous 22 NORTH DAKOTA AGRICULTURAL, EXPERIMENT STATION other insect pests. Stomachs of counts for the odor of sweet clo- toads were frequently found ver hay, as an attractant. gorged with sweet clover wee- They found that neither Dutox vils. (barium fluosilicate) or 1 percent nicotine dust with sulfur Are there suitable chemicals effected satisfactory control. DN which can be used for sweet sulfur dust (0.8% dinitro-ortho- clover weevil control? cyclo-hexylphenol) proved 96.6 percent effective by Chamber- J. A. Munro and H. S. Telford, lin and Fluke of the Wisconsin Station entomologists, are inves- Station when dusted on young tigating the possible use of a sweet clover plants. (See Jour- poison bait using coumarin, the nal of Economic Entomology chemical substance which ac- 36(5) :797,1943) POTATO QUESTIONS How may the potato varieties medium as to maturity and has recently introduced from other few eyes; Katahdin is a late va- states be expected to behave as riety; Pawnee is medium as to maturity and has flat tubers. to maturity and other character- Three red varieties are also istics? classed as promising, Pontiac Upon the basis of tests and which is medium as to maturity observation made by the Depart- requirements; Red Warba, which ment of Horticulture, Harold is very early with red tubers, Mattson (Horticulturist) de- and Warba which is very early scribes the three white varieties with red eyes. Chippewa, Katahdin, and Paw- Other new varieties are brief- nee as promising. Chippewa is ly described as follows: Maturity Remarks White Varieties Earlaine early low yield Earlaine -2 medium rough tubers Golden late yellow flesh Houma medium long stolons Mesaba early mosaic Mohawk medium low yield Norkota late large vine Sebago late blight resistant Sequoia very late rough tubers Red Variety Kasota medium pale red skin

What was the relative propor- keted was sold as table stock, tion of table stock and seed 21 percent as certified seed, and stock potatoes marketed from 27 percent as select seed. North Dakota in 1942? What were the marketing chan- Perry V. Hemphill (Assistant nels used in marketing North Agricultural Economist) con- Dakota potatoes in 1942? ducted a survey in the 1. princi- The channels used for market- pal potato producing counties. ing table stock and seed stock He found that in that year 52 were similar except that termin- percent of the production mar- als or distant firms and brokers BIMONTHLY BULLETIN VOLUME VI, NUMBER 3, JAN. 1944 23 buy a somewhat larger percent- ing an 18 percent sample of in- xat nf thp table stock quiries delivered to potato pro- age ot the table stocK. ^^ ^ ^ ^ following rep. On the basis of 572 replies to resents the 1942 marketing chan- a questionnaire, these represent- nels:

Marketing Channels for 1942 Crop of North Dakota Potatoes Table stock and Table Stock Seed seed combined Cash sale to local dealer or firm at home town or shipping point olio ox/o Cash sale to dealer or firm beyond shipping point but in North Dakota or western Minnesota 1,0 0 /v Cash sale to buyer who buys m the community for a terminal or distant firm ----- 19/0 1570 U/° Cash sale by wire, phone, or letter to a terminal or distant firm 4% 6 0 h Consigned to commission firm at terminal or distant market - 4% 4% 4% Sale made through a potato broker who arranged the terms of sale with % the buyer ^/f ™ Other channels 1/0 ^ ———= ^¡^^¡¡g^h^r7"p^centages of bushels of potatoes marketed through the various marketing channels.

How do prices of North Dakota states, washing not having be- table stock potatoes compare -me^gmfi-mN^ with prices of potatoes from ^ North Dakota and in this re- other states in the Chicago mar- gion appear to be more reluct- ket? ant to grade out full U. S. No. 1 grade than the growers of some p. V. Hemphill, Assistant of the competing states. It is in- Agricultural Economist has creasingly apparent that such made a careful study of daily competition must be met. Chicago market reports over the period 1935-36 to 1942-43, for what determines the sales value North Dakota, Nebraska, Colo- Qf a iot 0f potatoes in the opinion TniS~af°t?e "f North Dakota food stores? prices of North Dakota potatoes p. V. Hemphill, Assist. Econo- are lower than the prices of po- mist finds that North Dakota tatoes from Nebraska, Colorado, food store managers rank the fol- and Idaho, but are usually in line lowing qualities in order of 1m- with the prices of potatoes from portance: (1) cleanness, (2) uni- Wisconsin and Minnesota. North formity, as to size, (3) smooth- Dakota started offering washed ness (4) shallow eyes, (5) bright- potatoes two to three years later ness. The first three were the than some of the competing most important. 24 NORTH DAKOTA AGRICULTURAL, EXPERIMENT STATION

When the consumers buy po- Triumphs, 17% Early Ohios, and tatoes do they prefer a small, 2% Cobblers. In Central North medium or large potato? Dakota, that is, in Devils Lake, Jamestown, and Valley City In interviews with food store only 22% preferred Triumph, managers P. V. Hemphill Ass't 59% preferred Early Ohio, and 9% preferred Cobbler, while in Economist used a potato sizing Park River, Grafton, Grand guage. A potato 2 inches in aver- Forks, and Fargo, the distribu- age diameter or less was called a tion was Triumph 29%, Early small potato, a potato with an Ohio 50%, and Cobbler, 7%. average diameter of 2% inches The still heavy preference for was called medium, and a po- Early Ohio, a variety which is tato with an average diameter commercially less important of 3 inches was called large. than formerly may be due to About 77 % of the managers lack of familiarity with other varieties. ranked a medium - sized potato as first choice. 57% of the managers put large potatoes as How does the speed of the eleva- second choice although 77% of tor belt affect injury to pota- the managers ranked large potatoes? toes as either 1st, 2nd, or 3rd 26 diggers were checked in the choice. No managers ranked potato growing area in the vicin- small potatoes as first choice. ity of Grand Forks, Grafton, and Nash by T. E. Long, Ass't. Agri- cultural Engineer. In seven trials What variety of potatoes do with a speed of 179 to 212 feet North Dakota town consumers per minute, .17% of the tubers prefer? suffered major cuts and 1%% minor cuts. 26.3% suffered ma- P. V. Hemphill, Assistant jor bruises and 13.3% of the po- Agricultural Economist has in- tatoes suffered minor bruises. terviewed the managers of retail Eleven potato diggers operated food stores in 12 North Dakota at a speed of from 248 to 297 feet towns including in his study 22 per minute showed 3% tubers food stores in western North Da- with major cuts and .7% with kota. 18 food stores in central minor cuts. 26.6% of these tubers North Dakota, and 20 food stores showed major bruises and 16.6% in eastern North Dakota. minor bruises. Eight diggers op- These 60 stores each handled erated at a speed of from 301 to on the average 1260 bushels of 356 feet per minute showed an potatoes each year. About 43% average percent cut of 2.8% ma- of their customers preferred Tri- jor cuts and 1.9% minor cuts. umphs, 41% preferred Early This group of diggers operated Ohios, and only 6% preferred at a higher speed showed 19% Cobblers. These preferences dif- major bruises and 16.7% minor fered in different parts o,f the bruises. Variation in soil, mois- State. In the Williston, Minot, ture, and previous crop causes Dickinson, Mandan, and Bis- some difference in digging in- marck food stores 72% preferred jury. 25 BIMONTHLY BULLETIN VOLUME VI, NUMBER 3, JAN. 1944 QUESTIONS ABOUT NEW CROPS What are the possibilities of Hungarian vetch. Vetches tend to remain green until late with growing Russian Dandelion blossoms and ripe seed on the (Kok-saghyz) in North Dakota some plant hence harvest must as a possible source of rubber? be delayed uptil after a heavy frost, or the crop must be Tests made by the Station swathed. Hairy vetch tends to both in 1942 and 1943 have not shatter its seed. been encouraging. In 1942 fall plantings made unsatisfactory What are the possibilities of con- stands. 1942 spring plantings be- came dormant after July, 1943, verting certain weeds and wild but sent up some new shoots and plants into useful economic crops "greened" up again by Septem- in North Dakota? ber and October, 1943. Root samples of these plantings taken The common milkweed and October 12 - 14, 1943, were hard- certain species of wild indigo are ly bigger than younger roots under investigation by O. A. sampled from the same plant- Stevens, Associate Botanist. ings in 1942. Stevens has plantings of milk- 1943 plantings at Fargo, Lang- weed under observation at the don, Edgeley, Park River, and Main Station at Fargo and at the Chaffee made fair to poor stands. Substation at Edgeley. The Edge- Samples of 1942 dried roots ana- ley planting was severely dam- lyzed by the laboratory of the aged by insects, probably the United States Department of caterpillar of the milkweed but- Agriculture contained from terfly. „ 3.19% to 3.47% rubber. Stems have been harvested for fiber determination and sent to What are the possibilities of three different cooperating agen- cies for fiber tests. growing vetches in North Da- Field observations made on kota? native colonies of milkweeds do Since there is a demand for not indicate that the weed is vetch seed in the southern likely to become a pest should it states, T. E. Stoa, Agronomist, is be introduced as a field crop. exploring the possibilities of Stevens made plantings of the growing them as a spring seeded wild indigos, Atnorpfoa jruticosa crop in this State. Five lots of and Amorpha nana as a possible vetch were seeded at Fargo April source of a desirable insecticide. 21, 1943. Good stands were ob- It is not yet known whether or tained of hairy vetch and poor not the Amorpha nana possesses stands of common vetch, purple insect-killing properties. Further vetch and Hungarian vetch. searches will be made for possi- Hairy vetch and purple vetch ble sources of the plant. As soon showed a good seed set, and com- as sufficient quantities of these mon vetch a fair seed set, while plants can be increased they will Hungarian vetch showed a poor be submitted to the chemist for seed set. Seeds matured fairly analyses and to the entomolo- well on hairy and purple vetch, gists for testing as to insecti- but poorly on common vetch and cidal value. 26 NORTH DAKOTA AGRICULTURAL, EXPERIMENT STATION

How long does it take to develop of which increase from a new variety of potatoes? 162 were saved for planting in 1941 The following tells briefly the steps taken by H. Mattson, Hor- 1941 162 seedlings saved in ticulturist in one particular case. 1940 were planted and increase from 31 saved for 1938 Pontiac crossed with Min- planting in 1942 nesota No. 75-5 producing 4599 seeds 1942 31 seedlings planted and only 3 saved—of which 1 1939 1585 seedlings grown in was discarded after win- greenhouse from seeds of ter tests Pontiac x Minnesota 75-5 1943 two seedlings increased cross in 1943 to be compared 1940 1585 seedlings grown of with Triumph and Pon- Pontiac x Minnesota 75-5 tiac in 1944.

The Estimated Honey Production for North Dakota in 1943 is 1,995,000 pounds, compared to a honey crop of 2,112,000 pounds in 1942. The yield of honey per colony in 1943 is 95 pounds, or 7 pounds above the yield per colony in 1942. There were 21,000 colonies of bees in North Dakota in 1943, a reduction of 3,000 colonies from the 1942 number. North Dakota honey producers had on hand for sale on August 20, 1943 only 60,000 pounds of honey, compared to 182,000 pounds on the same date in 1942. (Data from Sep- tember 27, 1943 release of the Office of the Agricultural Statisti- cian, Bureau of Agricultural Economics, United States Department of Agriculture, Fargo, North Dakota.)

Sweet Clover Seed Production in North Dakota is estimated at 58,000 bushels of field run seed in 1943, some 71 percent larger than the 34,000 bushels harvested in 1942. The yield per acre, 2.3 bushels, is the same as in 1942. Some 25,000 acres of sweet clover were cut for seed in 1943, compared to 15,000 acres cut for seed in 1942. The 1943 loss in cleaning is estimated at 24 percent, leaving 44,000 bushels of clean seed for market and home use. (Data from September 27, 1943 release of the Office of the Agri- cultural Statistician, Bureau of Agricultural Economics, United States Department of Agriculture, Fargo, North Dakota.)