Forage Plants at the Highmore Sub-Station, 1906

Abstract

The season of 1906 at the Highmore Experiment Station was one of considerable rainfall. The precipitation for the year amounted to about twenty-five inches which is but a trifle under that of 1905. This precipitation, however, was not the greatest in the same months of the year as that in 1905. In 1906 considerable rain fell during the months of May and August, with but very little during the months of June and July. In 1905 the fall was very uniform and heavy during the months of May, June and July. Both seasons were favorable to the production of large crops of both corn and forage. The scant rainfall during the month of July and early part of August in 1906 was very noticeable in its effect upon crops and probably materially lessened the yield of some kinds. The rain on the 9th of August came just in time to save many of the crops which would otherwise have suffered. (See table 1.) The work of the Highmore Experiment Station, in all lines, is very encouraging. It may be that this condition is due to the excessive rainfall of the last two years, but it appears to the writer that this is not wholly the case. The work seems to be so well in hand that it is doubtful if any dry spell such as has been experienced in years past can materially check: the progress of the work. Plant-breeding work is being extended so as to cover many of the crops which seem to show adaptability to the region. Alfalfa, millet, sorghum and corn are receiving their due share of attention, and some work is also being done with annual leguminous plants and grasses. The work with all of the crops has been very satisfactory