shape of crown, ease of harvesting, and uniformity this strain also ranked high. The strains designated as Studsgaard and Klank showed the greatest disease resistance.

Alfalfa breeding experiments, P. N. KONSTANTINOV (Selsk. Khoz. i Líesov., 252 (1916), Sept.-Oct., pp. 32-74; Nov.-Dec., pp. 75-124).-This reports rather extensive studies by biometric methods of local strain and of Grimm, Tomsk, French, Turkestan, and German alfalfas, accompanied by considerable tabulated data. The evidence is held to indicate that pure, light coloring, and one-tone dark coloring of alfalfa seeds characterize pure strains, while a greenish or greenish-chocolate color is indicative of hybrid strains.

Some effects of successive cropping to barley, W. F. GERICKE (Jour. Amer. Soc. Agron., 9 (1917), No. 7, pp. 325–332).-This paper, a contribution from the University of California, discusses some of the effects of continuous cropping to barley on a fertile soil under greenhouse conditions, the successive crops being grown concurrently, in order to eliminate, as far as possible, such environmental factors as climate and season. Tabulated data are presented showing the length of the period of harvest, tillering, height of stalk, weight of grain for the individual heads, and average weight of kernel per head. Certain relationships have been emphasized and discussed as follows: Those showing the different kinds of stalk production and maturation of the crops, those showing the total and average height of the different kinds of stalks of the crops, and those showing the quantity and quality of grain produced as related to the height of stalk in each crop. Pots producing from one to four crops were represented in the series.

In summarizing his observations the author states that "plants of the fourth crop matured with greater uniformity than those of any of the other crops. There were no barren stalks in the plants of the fourth crop. The number of tillers and barren stalks increased with the plants grown in the soil of a lesser number of crops. The total height of all the stalks produced decreased with each successive crop, but the average height of the individual stalks increased with each successive crop. In the fourth and the third crops the heaviest grain. both as to weight per head and as to average weight per kernel, varied with the height of the stalks. The tallest stalks produced the largest heads and the largest average weight per kernel. In the second and first crops no correlation between the height of stalks and weight of grain per head or average weight per kernel was obtained."

Bean growing in Arkansas, W. H. WICKS and C. H. HEARD (Arkansas Sta. Circ. 41 (1918), pp. 4).—A brief popular description of methods employed in growing the crop, with notes on diseases and insect pests.

Notes on Canavalia with the descriptions of new species, C. V. PIPER (Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., 30 (1917), pp. 175–178).—Various species and varieties of Canavalia under test at different places in the Southern States to determine their possible agronomic value are said to include two heretofore undescribed species, C. campylocarpa and C. luzonica. Certain modifications are noted in regard to the nomenclature of C. microcarpa (C. turgida and Lablab microcarpus) and C. obtusifolia (Dolichos obtusifolius and C. lineata).

Correlations between ear characters and yield in corn, H. H. Love and J. B. WENTZ (Jour. Amer. Soc. Agron., 9 (1917), No. 7, pp. 315-322).-This paper, a contribution from Cornell University, presents experimental data on the correlation of seed-ear characters and yield when the seed ears were not selected for extremes in the particular characters studied but were near the average ear type, and is a continuation of earlier work.' The characters studied included

1 Ann. Rpt. Amer. Breeders' Assoc., 7 (1912), pp. 29-40.

length, average circumference, average cob circumference, and weight of ear; number of rows; average weight, average length, and average width of kernels; and percentage of grain. The corn used was Cornell No. 12, a selection from Funk Ninety Day. Tabulated data show the correlations obtained for all the characters for each year of the 5-year period 1910-1914, inclusive, together with the correlations obtained with the same lot of corn in 1909 and 1910.

The average mean percentage of grain in seed ears of a few of the highest classes for the 5 years amounted to 87.596, with a yield of 0.692 lb. per stalk. The average mean percentage in the lowest classes was 81.053 of grain, with a yield of 0.753 lb. per stalk.

It has been concluded that "the characters of length, ratio of tip circumfer ence to butt circumference, average circumference of cob, weight, average weight of kernels, number of rows of kernels, and average length and width of kernels on the seed ears do not show correlations significant enough to be of value in judging seed corn. The data indicate a slight negative correlation between percentage of grain in the seed ear and yield, meaning that possibly ears containing a low percentage of grain yield higher than ears with a high percentage of grain. The average circumference of the seed ear is the only character that shows any significant relation to yield.

"The judge at a corn show or a farmer in selecting his seed corn can not pick the high-yielding seed ears when judging from outward characters of the ears. It is evident that the points emphasized on a score card are of no value for seed-ear purposes and are entirely for show purposes. The only basis left for selecting high-yielding seed corn is the ear-to-row progeny test."

The relation of the vigor of the corn plant to yield, A. E. GRANTHAM (Jour. Amer. Soc. Agron., 9 (1917), No. 7, pp. 340-343).-This paper, a contribution from the Delaware Experiment Station, briefly notes field observations made by the author on the effect upon yield of variations in the size and vigor of corn plants under average field conditions. The corn under observation was planted in hills 42 in. apart each way, with 2 plants to the hill. Of the first 50 hills selected in which there was a marked difference in the size and vigor of the 2 plants the weaker stalk was removed, while in another 50 hills the strong stalk was removed. The heights of the remaining stalks were noted at the time of thinning, and further measurements were made at approximately 8-day intervals from June 25 to September 18 to determine the rate of growth. The date of tasseling was observed, and the weight of ears and yield of dried shelled grain noted.

The maximum difference in the height of the weak and vigorous stalks was obtained on August 5, when the latter came into tassel and amounted to 23.3 in. The average date of tasseling of the weaker plants was August 12. Although the difference in height on June 25 amounted to 95 per cent, on September 18 it was only 9 per cent.

The weight of the ears from the strong plants varied from 277 to 338 gm. and from the weak plants from 60 to 283 gm., the average weight of ears amounting to 309 and 177 gm., respectively. The yield of dried shelled grain was 221.7 gm. for the strong plants and 109.6 gm. for the weak plants, the weight of cob amounting to 41.7 and 38.8 gm., respectively.

The results of these observations are held to indicate that the weaker plants in a population of corn are much below the average in yield, and that, although the stand of plants may be perfect, only an ordinary yield will be obtained. While weak plants may sometimes be the result of environment, it is thought that weakness may also be inherited as a result of a lack of vigor on the part of the kernel. The planting of several kernels to the hill to furnish a wider

opportunity for the selection of strong plants is suggested as a possible means of obtaining a considerable advance in yield through a rigid selection of only the more vigorous plants.

Selection and storage of seed corn, W. L. BURLISON and E. A. WHITE (Illinois Sta. Circ. 225 (1918), pp. 16, figs. 14).—In view of the seed corn shortage of 1918, suggestions are made relative to the early selection of seed from the field and to the proper handling of seed corn in order to escape injury from freezing temperatures. Various methods of storing the seed are briefly discussed, and descriptions are given of houses specially designed for the storage of relatively large amounts of seed.

Varieties of cotton, 1917, W. E. AYRES (Arkansas Sta. Bul. 145 (1918), pp. 39, figs. 2). This reports the results of extensive variety tests conducted along the same general lines as those previously noted (E. S. R., 37, p. 642). The experimental work included tests with 74 varieties and strains of cotton grown at Fayetteville and Scotts and cooperatively at Van Buren and Wynne, a test for early maturity with 10 varieties grown at Fayetteville, cooperative tests with 31 common varieties at Russellville and Monticello, and cooperative tests conducted at several points in the State with 15 nonresident and 12 wilt-resistant varieties. The season of 1917 was regarded as a very poor one for cotton. All data are presented in tabular form.

The leading varieties in point of yield of lint in the principal tests were as follows: At Scotts, Cook No. 912 with 475.3 lbs. per acre; at Van Buren, Boykin with 565.6 lbs.; and at Wynne, Dodd Prolific with 332.2 lbs. Descriptive data are submitted for the varieties grown at Fayetteville. In the tests for early maturity Express was first with 231.5 lbs. per acre.

Varieties of cotton. Summary report 1917, W. E. AYRES (Arkansas Sta. Circ. 39 (1918), pp. 8).—A summarized report of the variety tests noted above. Manurial experiments with Sea Island cotton in St. Vincent, with some notes on factors affecting the yield, S. C. HARLAND (West Indian Bul. 16 (1917), No. 3, pp. 169–202, pls. 10, figs. 3).—This reports the results of fertilizer experiments with cotton for the period of 1912-1917, and a study of certain other factors affecting yield for the season of 1916-17, namely, the number of flowers opening daily on each plat of the fertilizer series from September 8 to February 14; the number of bolls opening daily on each plat for a period of 53 days followed by pickings at 5-day intervals; a daily examination of about 30 plants to obtain an accurate record of the fate of each bud, flower, and boll produced; and a correlation of daily meteorological observations with crop yield. Considerable tabulated data are presented, together with several charts and plant diagrams illustrating the results obtained.

The results of the fertilizer tests are held to indicate that differences in fertilizer treatment do not cause appreciable differences in the percentages of flowers producing ripe bolls. The highest average yield of seed cotton was obtaind from plats-receiving potassium sulphate alone and amounted to 653.4 lbs. per acre, as compared with a yield of 524.4 lbs. from the untreated checks. The next highest yield, 648.6 lbs., was obtained from a mixture of phosphorus, potassium, and cottonseed meal.

In summarizing all results the author concluded that the principal loss in crop yield in St. Vincent was occasioned by shedding, due to heavy rainfall and complicated by fungus and bacterial diseases. June- and July- planted cotton suffered a loss of practically 50 per cent of the crop through bud-shedding, the remaining 50 per cent being subjected to disease attacks rendered especially virulent by the usual heavy rains. Late planted cotton showed little budshedding, but considerable loss through internal boll disease. Late plantings (August or September) are deemed an adequate remedy for losses through

bud-shedding, due to heavy rainfall, but could only be recommended when effective legislation was obtained against the food plants of the cotton stainer, Dysdercus delauneyi, which is thought to spread the internal boll disease. Furthermore, it is maintained that the cotton varieties have not suffered any inherent deterioration, but that environmental factors are responsible for decreased yields.

[English rye grass], H. WITTE (Sveriges Utsädesför. Tidskr., 26 (1916), No. ` 5. pp. 195–208, figs. 2).—A brief history of the culture and distribution of English rye grass, Lolium perenne, is given, and a comparison of its cultural value with other grasses is reported. Breeding work with the grass at Svalöf is described and a new, improved strain known as Svalöf Victoria rye grass is noted.

At Svalöf, English rye grass gave a yield higher than that obtained from timothy but lower than the yields secured from orchard grass, meadow fescue, French rye grass (Avena elatior), and brome grass (Bromus arvensis). The second year's crop was smaller than that of each of the grasses mentioned, with the exception of French rye grass, as this is an annual. Varieties of English rye grass known as evergreen, annual, dwarf perennial, and Sutton perennial gave results at Svalöf practically the same as those obtained from the ordinary Swedish commercial variety, but a Norwegian sort proved to be from 10 to 12 days later in maturity, of low growth, and little resistant to rust (Puccinia coronata lolii). This variety was found to succeed much better in moist and cool than in dry seasons.

The breeding work at Svalöf showed variations in length, position and quantity of stems, tillering capacity, size of leaves, period of growth, winter resistance, rust resistance, and other characters. It is pointed out that for mixing with early-blooming red clover for conditions prevailing in southern Sweden a rye-grass variety is required which gives high yields from the different cuttings, has the same flowering period as that of the clover, shows high resistance to winter weather and rust attacks, and produces good yields of seed. Svalöf Victoria rye grass is regarded as filling these demands to some extent, as it yields better and matures from 10 to 12 days later than the ordinary English commercial variety, proves winter and rust resistant in southern Sweden, produces a comparatively heavy forage, shows good strength of stem, and is dark green in color.

Hedychium coronarium in Brazil, C. BEADLE (Roy. Bot. Gard. Kew, Bul. Misc. Inform., No. 3 (1917), pp. 104, 105; abs. in Nature [London], 100 (1917), No. 2504, p. 152).-On a trip through South America to determine the extent to which Hedychium has become established and to study the possibilities of its use for paper making, the author found the plant in small patches in the State of Rio, Brazil, but particularly abundant on the low-lying lands in the State of Parana. The habits of growth of the plant are noted, and the conclusion reached" that a far whiter fiber may be extracted than has hitherto been employed by taking fairly simple precautions."

Wisconsin's hemp industry, A. H. WRIGHT (Wisconsin Sta. Bul. 293 (1918), pp. 46, figs. 21). This bulletin gives an account of the establishment of the hemp industry in the State, 7,000 acres being grown in 1917, and outlines the possibilities for its future development. Field methods employed in growing and harvesting the crop are described, with particular reference to the use of improved harvesting machinery. Yields of fiber are said to average 1,200 lbs. per acre, and the gross returns $75 per acre.

New Zealand hemp industry, W. H. FERRIS (Ann. Rpt. Dept. Agr., Indus, and Com., New Zeal., 1917, pp. 22, 23).-This briefly reports on the progress of the

industry for the year ended March 31, 1917. The graded output amounted to 149,898 bales, exceeding that of the previous year by 11,623 bales. Tabulated data are presented giving particulars of the gradings during the year. Report on experiments with early varieties of oats, S. RHODIN (K. Landtbr. Akad. Handl. och Tidskr., 56 (1917), No. 2, pp. 150-160; Meddel. Centralanst. Försöksv. Jordbruksområdet, No. 142 (1917), pp. 14).-The results of tests with four varieties of oats conducted for three years beginning with 1913 in two widely separated localities, including one in northern Sweden, are reported. The varieties under test were Orion, Björn (sorts improved at Svalöf), Mesdag, and Nordfinsk. In the southern localities the experiments were conducted on a moist and cool alluvial clay soil and in the northern on a bog soil (a mixture of sand and peaty substances), and the dates of seeding ranged from April 29 to May 6 and from June 4 to 9, respectively.

Even under such widely different climatic and soil conditions Orion gave the highest average yield of both grain and straw. The percentage of hulls in Orion was generally higher than in the other varieties, but in the yield of hulled kernels this variety retained first place. It is believed that under the widely different conditions of the localities the experiments have not been conducted sufficiently long to warrant very definite conclusions.

The effect of different rotation systems and of fertilizers on the protein content of oats, R. W. THATCHER and A. C. ARNY (Jour. Amer. Soc. Agron., 9 (1917), No. 7, pp. 344-348).—This paper, a contribution from the Minnesota Experiment Station, reports observations of the effect upon the protein content of cats of different rotation systems with and without clover and of different fertilizer treatments used in a 3-year rotation of oats, clover, and corn. The protein content was determined for oats grown in rotation from 1914 to 1916, inclusive, and for oats grown with different fertilizers from 1913 to 1916, inclusive. The following summarized table shows the percentage of protein found with the various treatments:

Effect of different rotation systems and fertilizer treatments upon the protein content of oats.

Winter storage experiments with potatoes, 1913–1917, L. HELWEG and F. K. RAVN (Tidsskr. Planteavl, 24 (1917), No. 3, pp. 436-463, figs. 4).-This article reports the results of experiments in storing potatoes in pits and compares them

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