The origin of Enothera gigas, T. J. STOMPS (Ber. Deut. Bot. Gesell., 30 (1912), No. 7, pp. 406–416).-The author reports finding what is claimed to be a "half mutant” of Œ. lamarckiana, having 21 chromosomes, the mutant ŒŒ. gigas having 28, double the number ascribed to the parent. To this alleged new form, the author has given the name . lamarckiana semigigas.

FIELD CROPS.

Suggestions to the dry farmer, edited by F. S. COOLEY (Montana Sta. Circ. 19, pp. 52, figs. 26).—This circular discusses rainfall, loss of water, management and moisture requirements of crops, and tillage in their relation to dry farming. The data presented are compiled from publications of the station and from other sources. A list of publications on dry farming, or on topics pertaining to the subject, is given.

Forage crops for the cotton region, S. M. TRACY (U. S. Dept. Agr., Farmers' Bul. 509, pp. 47).—This bulletin treats of the most important forage crops adapted to the various sections of the cotton region. Six different soil regions are described with particular reference to forage crop culture, and discussions are presented on hay crops and hay-making, pastures, and silage and soiling crops. Twenty-one grasses, 13 leguminous plants, and 6 miscellaneous forage crops are noted individually.

Crop rotation for northern Wisconsin, E. J. DELWICHE (Wisconsin Sta. Bul. 222, pp. 3-19, figs. 14).-This bulletin suggests systems of crop rotation which seem best adapted to the existing agricultural conditions in the northern half of Wisconsin. The different systems suggested are outlined graphically and discussed with reference to their value for various types of farming. The rotations included in the discussion are a 3-year rotation for dairy farms, 4-year rotations with clover and timothy, with peas for grain farming, and with peas as a cash crop for dairy farming, a 5-year rotation with alfalfa for dairy farming, a 5-year rotation for heavy soils, clover-seed rotations of different duration, and a rotation for garden and root crops. Notes are given on the place of potatoes in the rotation and on the methods of arranging fields. County experiment farms in Ohio, C. E. THORNE, C. G. WILLIAMS, and C. MCINTIRE (Ohio Sta. Bul. 241, pp. 513–549, figs. 3).-This bulletin describes the organization of county experiment farms in Ohio, together with their work in 1911. Such farms are reported in operation in the counties of Paulding, Miami, Clermont, Hamilton, and Hancock. The proposed plan of management for each farm is outlined and some of the results secured in fertilizer and variety tests are recorded. In all instances the work had not been in progress long enough to warrant conclusions. Suggestions as to the requirements of a county experiment farm are offered, and the act providing for the establishment of these farms is reproduced.

Agricultural studies in America, A. HÖNNINGSTAD (Aarsber. Offeutl. Foranst. Landbr. Fremme, 1911, IV, pp. 19–114, figs. 9).—This article is a report on a visit to the United States and Canada in 1911 for the purpose of studying methods of experimentation relating to agronomy and allied subjects. Experiments with wind-breaks, 1909-1911, N. ESBJERG (Ber. Ribe Amts Landbofor. Havebr. og Husmands., 1911, pp. 3-20).-Experiments similar to previous work (E. S. R., 23, p. 435), were conducted with rye, mangels, clover and grass, and potatoes.

The results showed that shelter had a very beneficial influence on the growth and yield of field crops. It is estimated that the value of the increase in the yields per töndeland (1.36 acres), due to a systematic planting of hedges in

the fields, amounted to 10 crowns ($2.70), when the loss of field area and the expense of planting and maintaining the hedges are considered.

Influence of precipitation and temperature on the yields of cereals in the governments of Saratov, Samara, and Tambov, S. KHARIZOMENOV (Selsk. Khoz. Viestnik Tugo-Vostoka, 1911, No. 4-6; abs. in Zhur. Opytn. Agron. (Russ. Jour. Expt. Landw.), 12 (1911), No. 6, pp. 927, 928).—-Tables are given presenting data covering a period of 25 years and showing the relation of precipitation and temperature to the yields of cereals, hay, and potatoes.

It is concluded from the data at hand that the yield of these crops increases with the increase in the total precipitation from November to March, inclusive, and that all cereal crops further respond in yield to a high precipitation during the months of November, March, May, and June. The summer cereals apparently fell in yield with the increase of rain during August, September, October, and April. The rains during these months are considered as useful only in promoting the growth of winter cereals and of perennial grasses.

Market hay, H. B. MCCLURE (U. S. Dept. Agr., Farmers' Bul. 508, pp. 38, figs. 3). This bulletin presents a general review of the hay trade in this country and discusses more in particular the different grades of market hay and methods of baling, shipping, and marketing hay, together with market conditions and requirements. A system of hay grades in use in the principal market centers is outlined, and a table is given setting forth the requirements of the various eastern, western, and southern hay markets, and showing the kinds of hay received, types of bales, methods of inspection and weighing, and the most common faults affecting the selling price.

Further experiments on the economic value of root crops for New York, E. R. MINNS (New York Cornell Sta. Bul. 317, pp. 547–566, figs. 8).-Previous work with root crops (E. S. R., 19, pp. 136, 137; 21, p. 426; 22, p. 76) is reviewed, and the results of further experiments in the production of mangels and of silage corn from 1908 to 1911, inclusive, are reported.

The average results for 3 consecutive years show a yield of 17.93 tons per acre and 13.27 per cent of dry matter for half-sugar mangel, and a yield of 17.75 tons per acre and 13.31 per cent of dry matter for the Long Red mangel. A comparison of corn and mangels as to yield and cost of production was made with Pride of the North corn and with half-sugar mangels. The average results for the 4 years show a yield of 10.80 tons per acre and a cost of 71 cts. per hundred pounds of dry matter for corn, and a yield of 20.14 tons per acre and a cost per hundred pounds of dry matter of $1.54 for half-sugar mangels. Observations on the relation of weather to the production of dry matter showed that the mangels were less dependent on rainfall and temperature than on soil conditions for the production of dry matter, while the corn crops seemed to conform closely to the variation in temperature and rainfall during the 5 months of the growing season. The average acre production of nutrients, as shown by analyses, was 5,705.6 lbs. of dry matter, 574.1 lbs. of protein, 170.2 lbs. of fat, 3,656.6 lbs. of carbohydrates, 991.5 lbs. of crude fiber, and 313.2 lbs. of ash for the corn, and 5,023.2 lbs. of dry matter, 607.6 lbs. of crude protein, 20.7 lbs. of fat, 3,701.9 lbs. of carbohydrates, 301.4 lbs. of crude fiber, and 391.6 lbs. of ash for the mangels.

In cooperative experiments similar to those conducted at the station, the cost in labor and fertilizers of a ton of mangels was nearly twice as great as the cost of a ton of corn fodder. The experiments at the station in 1910 showed a cost of production per acre of $41.90 for corn and of $76.88 for mangels, and in 1911 a cost of $45.51 for corn and of $78.65 for mangels. The results with mangels and corn obtained at the Cornell, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Indiana,

and Minnesota stations are also summarized in tabular form. Brief directions are given for growing mangels, carrots, ruta-bagas, and turnips.

Alfalfa.-The relation of type to hardiness, P. K. BLINN (Colorado Sta. Bul. 181, pp. 3–16, figs. 14).—Continuing previous work (E. S. R., 26, p. 633), this bulletin gives an account of the alfalfa work at the Colorado Station leading up to and including the discovery of a hardy type "characterized by a more spreading crown, with numerous buds and shoots springing from the crown below the surface of the soil. These underground shoots in some of the best plants of this type have been found several inches below the surface of the soil. The bud area in this type of plant is thus protected by the soil from drying or freezing."

Importance of alfalfa as a Wisconsin forage plant, R. A. MOORE (Wisconsin Sta. Circ. Inform. 35, pp. 16, figs. 8).—This circular presents statistical and historical notes on the culture of alfalfa in Wisconsin and discusses in a popular manner the value and culture of the crop in the State. A comparison of grain feeds with alfalfa hay, and a comparison of the yields of green substance, hay, protein, dry matter, and fat of alfalfa, clover, timothy, and brome grass are shown in tables. The cultural directions given have a special bearing on seed-bed preparation, soil inoculation, seeding, and harvesting. Notes are also given on alfalfa as a soiling and a pasture crop.

Southern bur clover, E. F. CAUTHEN (Alabama Col. Sta. Bul. 165, pp. 163– 176, figs. 7).-This bulletin discusses in a popular manner the culture and uses of bur clover, and in this connection reports as the result of 2 experiments an average yield of 3,493 lbs. of hay per acre from bur clover grown alone, and a yield of 5,520 lbs. of hay from a mixture of bur and crimson clover and oats. The following composition of bur clover hay is recorded: Water 7.59, crude fat 4.22, crude protein 19.50, crude fiber 25.70, and ash 9.89 per cent.

Condition of seed corn in West Virginia and how to test it, I. S. Cook, Jr. (West Virginia Sta. Circ. 5, pp. 4, fig. 1).-Directions for testing the germination of seed corn are given.

Fertilizing and irrigating cotton in 1910 at the Turkestan Experiment Station, R. R. SHREDER (Turkest. Selsk. Khoz., 1911, Apr.; abs. in Zhur. Opytn. Agron. (Russ. Jour. Expt. Landw.), 12 (1911), No. 6, p. 862).—The results of irrigation experiments showed that 4 applications of water increased the yield by about 620 lbs. per acre as compared with 3 applications. With additional applications the increase in yield diminished and with 7 applications the yield began to decrease.

In the fertilizer experiments, barnyard manure gave higher yields than commercial fertilizers, which ranked in decreasing order of increase in yield as follows: Cotton-seed cake, bone meal, blood meal and superphosphate, and nitrate and superphosphate.

Flax growing in Montana, F. S. COOLEY and M. L. WILSON (Montana Sta. Circ. 15, pp. 95–100, 102–113, figs. 3).—After presenting certain statistics on flax growing in Montana and the neighboring States, this circular discusses flax culture in a general way with reference to Montana conditions. Notes are given on soils adapted to the culture of the crop, time, rate, and depth of seeding, varieties, seed treatment and diseases, tillage, harvesting and thrashing the use and value of the straw, cost of production, and the effect of the crop on the land.

Counts were made of an average sample of Brown Russian flaxseed which showed 81,648 seeds in 1 lb.

Commercial varieties of potatoes for Wisconsin, J. G. MILWARD (Wisconsin Sta. Bul. 225, pp. 3–22, pls. 3, figs. 3).—This bulletin discusses the value of growing pure varieties in raising or maintaining high market standards, and

The

gives descriptions with illustrations of a number of standard varieties. leading standard late varieties recommended for Wisconsin are the Rural New Yorker, Burbank, Carman No. 3, and Peerless, and the leading standard early varieties Early Ohio, Early Rose, and Triumph.

The influence of the soil on the characteristics of potatoes, systems of potato farming, and running out of varieties are discussed and recommendations for improvement are given. Rules for potato exhibitions are laid down and a potato-judging score card is outlined.

Experiments with varieties of rye, E. W. LJUNG (Sveriges Utsädesför. Tidskr., 22 (1912), Nos. 2, pp. 119-141; 3, pp. 177-200).-A summary is given of experiments with 24 varieties of rye conducted since 1887 at Svalöf and 4 other stations. The Svalöf rye No. 0301, which is a Petkus strain, gave the largest yields of grain and also a large yield of straw. The different varieties are described.

Variety tests with rye, 1905-1910, K. HANSEN and M. L. MORTENSEN (Tidsskr. Landbr. Planteavl, 19 (1912), No. 2, pp. 229-304).-These tests, conducted at 4 different experiment stations, were carried on mainly for the purpose of determining the value of Brattingsborg, Petkus, Heinrich, and Probstei rye for Danish agriculture. On loamy soils Petkus ranked first in average yield, followed by Brattingsborg and Heinrich in the order mentioned, while on sandy soils Brattingsborg produced the highest average yield, with Petkus ranking second and Heinrich third. In stiffness of straw Heinrich ranked first in all tests and the straw of the Petkus variety was stiffer than that of the Brattingsborg rye.

Rye culture and rye improvement, E. W. LJUNG (Sveriges Utsädesför. Tidskr., 22 (1912), No. 4, pp. 231-241).-This article discusses the general phases of rye culture and rye improvement with particular reference to the work as carried on at Svalöf.

Experiments on the cultivation of sugar beets for the years 1902-1909, edited by S. L. FRANKFURT (Trudy Seti Opytn. Polei Vseross. Obshch. Sakh. Zavod., Soobshch. 12, 1911; abs. in Zhur. Opytn. Agron. (Russ. Jour. Expt. Landw.), 12 (1911), No. 5, pp. 730–738).—A summary of the results of various fertilizer and culture experiments with sugar beets is presented.

It was found that plowing land to a depth of 10 in. appeared to be sufficient for sugar beets and that increasing the depth from 8 to 10 in. yielded but a slight increase. In the fertilizer experiments the relative effect of manure was greater when used at the rate of about 6.7 tons per acre than when 16.75 tons were applied. When mineral fertilizers were applied with the manure the same yields of winter cereals and sugar beets were secured from the light and the heavy applications.

Deterioration in the quality of sugar beets due to nitrates formed in the soil, W. P. HEADDEN (Colorado Sta. Bul. 183, pp. 3–184, figs. 7).—The experiments here reported were conducted in continuation of previous investigations on the occurrence of nitrates in Colorado soils in quantities prejudicial to the culture of different crops (E. S. R., 25, p. 814). The object of the work described in the present bulletin was the study of the relation of an undue or untimely supply of nitrates to the quality of the sugar beets grown in some sections of the State and the determination of whether the observed depreciation in the quality of beets is the result of a widespread and excessive supply of nitrates in the soil. Studies are also reported of the influence of alkali, seepage, possible lack or improper ratio of the elements of plant food, leaf spot, and climatic conditions.

Observations made on sugar beets grown 4 years in succession on strongly alkalized land indicated that the alkali in itself was not detrimental to the

quality of the beets, did not affect their content of dry matter, and slightly increased the quantity of ash without affecting its composition sufficiently to appear definitely of consequence.

It is reported that no serious effects on yield and quality were observed as due to the height of the water plane, which, during the 4 years on portions of the land under experiment, never fell below 4 ft. and was less than 3 ft. below the surface for a good portion of the growing season. These observations were repeated many times with the same results and it is concluded that alkali and seepage are not prevalent enough to regard them as the cause of the depreciation of the general crop of sugar beets.

For the purpose of determining the influence of a lack of plant food or of the relative quantities of plant food elements, experiments with different fertilizers in various combinations were made in 1909 and 1910 on soils sampled to a depth of 3 ft. and showing a great abundance of both phosphoric acid and potash. The application of nitrogen either in the form of sodium nitrate or manure, the dung of cattle fed on alfalfa hay, beet pulp, molasses, and straw to which grain was added during the final stages of feeding, had no definite effect on the yield of sugar. In this whole series the sugar was low and the results were regarded as showing that the poor quality was not due to any lack of plant food.

To establish the effects of leaf spot on yield and sugar content determinations were made in 127 cases, including some lots badly affected with the disease. The results obtained did not show any constant or definite relation between the severity of the attack and the yield and percentage of sugar. Samples from fields severely affected by leaf spot contained from 16 to 17 per cent of sugar.

A series of experiments was begun to ascertain whether beets grown with known excessive quantities of nitrates possess in general the qualities and composition of the beet crops under consideration. In 1910 from 250 to 1,250 lbs. of nitrate of soda per acre in portions of 250 lbs. were applied on 5 plats, the sixth plat in the series receiving no nitrate. These plats were laid out on good, choice ground. The first application was made 2 days before the seed was planted and the succeeding ones at intervals of 4 weeks up to July 27, the date of the last application. Another series of experiments was made with superphosphate, potassium chlorid, and sodium chlorid on a piece of bad ground planted to beets, to observe the effect of these fertilizers on the ripening and the composition of the crop. As standards of comparison for quality and composition samples from Montana, Michigan, and Colorado were selected. The series of samples analyzed included beets from the Arkansas Valley grown on good soils without fertilizers, with various fertilizers, and with various quantities of nitrates alone, on soil in which large quantities of nitrates had developed, and on nitrate land with the application of phosphoric acid, potash, and nitrate of soda, together with beets produced at the station with and without the application of nitrates in 1910 and 1911, respectively. The factors considered in their relation to the quality of the beets were nitric nitrogen, phosphoric acid, injurious ash, injurious nitrogen, ratio of proteid nitrogen to total nitrogen, especially in the juice, and percentage of sugar. The results of this work indicated that beets grown on good Colorado soils may be either good or very poor in quality. The belief is expressed that the beets even when produced under the best conditions contain a rather large amount of ash, specifically of injurious ash, and that the high percentage of nitrogen present in the form of nitrates indicates the cause of the lack in quality when conditions otherwise have been favorable.