Test of varieties (pp. 84, 85).-Tabulated data are given for 31 varieties of oats grown on fortieth-acre plats. The season was too dry when the oats were heading. The yields range from 15.5 to 49.2 bu. per acre. Droghead Irish Imported, Early Archangel, Badger Queen, American Banner, and Australian gave the largest yields.

Test of fertilizers (pp. 85, 86).—The oats were grown after 6 successive crops of potatoes. The same kinds and amounts of fertilizers used on the potato plats were applied on the oat plats. On 7 plats 160 lbs. nitrate of soda, 160 lbs. muriate of potash, and 140 lbs. double superphosphate per acre were applied singly, 2 by 2, and all 3 together. 3 plats no manure was applied.

On

"[The author concludes that] the results are interesting, but further investigation must be made before conclusions can be drawn. From the results obtained it would appear that nitrate of soda has no beneficial effect, but was rather injurious to the best results, while both muriato of potash and double superphosphate each seemed to produce increased yields."

Influence of the specific gravity of seed potatoes on the yield and quality, E. WOLLNY (Forsch. Geb. agr. Phys., 18 (1895), No. 3-4, pp. 359-364). The author reviews previous European work in this line (E. S. R., 4, p. 959), all of which tended to show that no definite relation was apparent between the specific gravity and the starch content of the seed tubers on the one hand and the yield of tubers and the starch content on the other. Tubers of a high specific gravity always have a high content of starch.

The contradictory results announced by G. Marek' led the author to make a further investigation of this question.

In all 19 trials were made, using 17 varieties of potatoes. Each trial was conducted with 40 plants, on an area of 274 by 271⁄2 in. per plant. Two trials were made in 1893 on land manured with 500 kg. of poudrette per hectare, and 17 trials in 1894 on land manured with 500 kg. per hectare of a mixture of superphosphate, muriate of potash, and nitrate of soda. Tubers of equal weight and medium size were selected from different varieties, and the tubers of high and of low specific gravity were separated by means of a brine.

In 1894, from the potatoes harvested in each of the above trials, medium sized tubers of equal weight were selected and their average specific gravity determined by means of brine. The results are tabulated and discussed.

The author states that in 12 out of the 19 trials (63 per cent) an increase in the yield followed the use of heavy seed tubers as opposed to those of lower specific gravity, although the increase was on the whole insignificant; while in the remaining cases (37 per cent) the specific gravity of the seed tubers had no apparent influence on the yield; that tubers rich in starch in the majority of cases (13 out of 17) pro

1 Fühling's landw. Ztg., 41 (1892), Nós. 5 and 6.

duced larger tubers than those poor in starch, but that in general the respective differences were insignificant.

The tubers grown from seed of a high specific gravity were richer in starch in 15 trials and poorer in 3 trials than tubers from seed of a low specific gravity.

There were quite large differences in the starch content of the seed tubers; in the harvested tubers the starch content differed materially from that of the seed tubers, and in a single variety it underwent great variations in different years. These facts lead to the conclusion that the starch content of the harvested tubers is controlled less by the seed tubers than by other influences, and that the effectual improvement of a variety of potatoes by using seed of a high specific gravity will be a difficult matter.

Varieties should rather be improved by developing their individual qualities, by planting tubers rich in starch, grown from stock distinguished for its productiveness and having the capability of transmit ting its good qualities; for only the inherent qualities of the individual are constantly transmitted, while those qualities called forth by outside causes are only retained so long as the conditions of life remain unchanged.

The effect of liming upon the development of potato tubers, H. J. WHEELER, J. D. TOWAR, and G. M. TUCKER (Rhode Island Sta. Bul. 33, pp. 46–50).—A trial in connection with a soda substitution experiment described in the Annual Report of the station for 1894 (E. S. R. 7, p. 377). Forty-eight sixtieth-acre plats received a uniform application of nitrogen and phosphoric acid; the carbonates and chlorids of potash and soda were also applied in different combinations and proportions.

On another plat, subdivisions 18 by 30 ft. in size received 600 lbs. of dissolved boneblack and 200 lbs. of muriate of potash. On these subdivisions nitrate of soda, when used, was applied at the rate of 472.4 lbs. per acre, and dried blood and Pennsylvania tankage were so used as to furnish the same amount of nitrogen per acre. The limed subdivision received per acre 24 tous of air-slacked lime in 1893 and ton in 1894. On these subdivisions and on 2 of the permanent sixtieth-acre plats seed tubers treated with corrosive-sublimate solution alternated with untreated seed. The results are tabulated. The aver age percentage of large tubers on limed plats was 74.2 and of small tubers 25.8; on unlimed plats the percentages were 63.3 and 36.7, respectively.

The potato scab was much worse on the limed plats than on those receiving no lime.

The author draws the following conclusions:

“(1) Upon our sour or acid soil, which contains probably no calcium carbonate, potato tubers practically free from the scab may be grown, even if the seed tubers are infested with the germs of the disease, provided commercial fertilizer and not barnyard manure is employed.

"(2) On soil which is not acid, or where barnyard manure or lime in forms other than land plaster (gypsum) is frequently employed, all seed tubers should be treated with corrosive-sublimate solution before planting. Under such circumstances crops of potatoes should not follow each other at close intervals, or the damage from the scab may be increased.

"(3) If the character of the land is unknown, all seed tubers should be subjected to the corrosive-sublimate treatment, even when commercial fertilizers are employed, provided one wishes to secure a smooth crop.

“(4) On sour or acid soil a gain in total yield of potato tubers may result from the use of air-slacked lime, and our own experiments show a decided gain in the percentage of tubers of merchantable size.

"(5) If lime is to be used on acid land where potatoes are to be grown, it should not be employed in quantities greater than 1 to 11⁄2 tons per acre at a single application, and the rotation should be so arranged that 2 or 3 crops intervene between the time of liming and the growing of the potatoes. A good arrangement would be to lime before rye, Indian corn, oats, or barley, and then follow with clover before the potatoes.

"(6) It may be possible by such an arrangement on acid soils, provided the corrosive-sublimate treatment of the seed tubers is employed, that much of the benefit upon the potato crop from liming and also practical immunity from the potato scab may be enjoyed."

Comparative field test of commercial fertilizers used in raising potatoes (New York State Sta. Bul. 93, n. ser., pp. 12).-A preliminary trial made on a farm on Long Island under the supervision of a representative of the station. The soil was a loam 2 to 3 ft. deep, with a subsoil of sand and gravel. The field was marked out into 26 plats of 3 rows each, with a vacant row between adjacent plats. Ten different kinds of commercial fertilizers were used. These were applied at the rate of 1,000, 1,500, and 2,000 lbs. per acre, and broadcast and in the row. Tabulated data are given for analyses of fertilizers, the amounts of the fertilizing ingredients contained in 1,000 lbs. of these fertilizers, amounts of fertilizing constituents applied, yield of potatoes, the cost of fertilizer, and the gain or loss per plat.

In general, the author concludes that in every instance the yield of potatoes was larger with fertilizers; that the use of 2,000 lbs. of fertilizer per acre was generally unprofitable, and that with smaller amounts of fertilizers it was better to apply in the row; with larger amounts, broadcast.

Tests of sorghum varieties, C. L. PENNY (Delaware Sta. Bul. 27, pp. 24, dgms. 8).-These tests were made with the object of improving varieties of sorghum by planting seed from stalks of the highest individual merit. In all 1,400 stalks were gathered at various dates, representing the 6 varieties - Amber, No. 1460, Collier, Colman, McLean, and No. 161. The specific gravity of the juice of each stalk was determined and its sugar content found by the polariscope. Tabulated data are given. In the Amber variety there seemed to be no connection between the richness of the juice and the size of the stalk; in the Colman the richer stalks were larger; in the other varieties the richer stalks were lighter than the poorer ones. The Collier and Colman were first in point of uniformity of richness of juice. The wide

range of the richness and purity of the juice in all the varieties on different days and the rapid fluctuations within the same variety from day to day are shown graphically. This range was widest with Colman and Amber and narrowest with Collier and McLean.

Sugar beets in Washington, E. FULMER (Washington Sta. Bul. 15, pp. 62).-A cooperative test of 7 varieties of sugar beets by 384 farmers, each growing 1 to 3 varieties. Analyses made at the station of 1,700 samples of sugar beets, coming from 27 counties, are tabulated. Of these samples 164 contained less than 12 per cent of sugar, 1,283 yielded between 12 and 17 per cent, and 253 over 17 per cent. The highest sugar percentage was 21.9; the lowest, 4.7. For 1,544 analyses the following averages are given: Weight, 22 ounces; sugar, 15.2 per cent; purity, 83.8.

The author states that the Kleinwanzleben seemed to give the most satisfactory results, followed by Vilmorin Improved. Lemaire, Mette, Vilmorin Richest, and Knauer Imperial were about equal. Vilmorin Improved was not adapted to the conditions of soil and climate.

The advantages of the beet-sugar industry for the State of Washington are discussed, and statistical data are given from the report of the sugar bounty division of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue. Tobacco experiments, W. FREAR and E. J. HALEY (Pennsylvania Sta. Bul. 30, p. 19).

Synopsis. The investigations here reported consisted of a study of the physical and chemical characters of tobacco soils, of the quality of the cured leaves of the crop grown in 1893, and of methods of curing the crop of 1894.

These experiments are in continuation of those reported in the Annual Report of the station for 1893, pp. 82–112 (E. S. R., 6, p. 718), in which publication are recorded the yields on plats differently fertilized. The tobacco soils of 2 localities in Lancaster County were studied with reference to mechanical and chemical properties and conditions of heat and moisture. The Rocky Springs soil was richer in available phosphoric acid, but poorer in available potash and in lime than that at Donegal. The nitrogen in both surface soils was about the same, but the subsoil was richer in nitrogen at Donegal than at Rocky Springs.

"These investigations show the Lancaster soils to be of heavier type than the best wrapper-leaf soils of other districts, and to be somewhat more moist than the average of such soils. So far as examined, however, they are not cooler, but warmer and more equable in temperature. In fertility they are not conspicuously lacking, being, as a whole, rather rich than poor; nor do injurious constituents appear in excessive proportions.”

The loss in sweating in the crop of 1893 amounted to 12.82 per cent at Rocky Springs and 9.55 per cent at Donegal, and the loss was greatest where stable manure was used. "The use of phosphoric acid in dissolved boneblack was attended by a thickening of the tissue. Double carbonate [of potash and magnesia] gave a thinner web than sulphate of potash, but produced little effect upon the vein. . . . With nitrate of soda a very dense leaf was obtained."

As to burning quality, no decided differences were noted, except that the duration of glow was least with barnyard manure.

The following methods of curing the crop of 1894 were tested: (1) Air-curing the leaves and stalks; (2) air-curing the leaves alone; (3) cu ing the leaves by the Snow process; and (4) curing the leaves by a modification of the Snow process, employing a lower temperature. The results as to methods of curing were inconclusive, the product being poor in all cases. The so-called "Cuban process," in which the green leaves were buried for a time in a trench, yielded a product possessing little of the odor or flavor of tobacco.

The culture of tobacco, F. B. MOODIE (Florida Sta. Bul. 39, pp. 117-138). This is a popular article on the culture of tobacco, discussing seeding, soil, setting, fertilizing, cultivating, worming, topping, suckering, harvesting, housing, stripping, grading, and boxing.

The writer thinks that Sumatra tobacco is to be recommended for virgin Florida soils. Sandy loam soil, "not impregnated with lime or clay on the surface," is considered best for cigar tobacco. In addition to shading and mulching, the soil should be treated to an application of compost made of barnyard manure, with muck and cotton seed.

Wheat experiments (Kentucky Sta. Bul. 57, pp. 75-83).—This is a continuation of work reported in Bulletin 42 of the station (E. S. R., 4, p. 342). Sixteen varieties of wheat were grown to compare their relative merits and to test deep rs. shallow planting, thick rs. thin seeding, and the effect of fertilizers. Data relating to meteorological conditions, yields, etc., are tabulated. Fifteen per cent of the crop was winterkilled. The season was unfavorable, all the varieties rusted badly, and the heads did not fill well. English sparrows were also very destructive, and impaired to some extent the accuracy of the results. In the variety tests the yield per acre varied from 7.5 bu. to 16.8 bu. per acre. Democrat, Unnamed, Lancaster Long Red, and Jones Winter Fife gave largest yields. The fertilizers applied made no difference in the wheat that could be noted in the spring following; the yields with fertilizers ranged between 9.6 bu. and 14.2 bu. per acre. The author gives no conclusions.

Wheat-growing experiments, E. M. SHELTON (Queensland Dept. Agr. Bul. 6, 2d ser., pp. 30).—This is a test of several hundred varieties with special reference to their rust-resisting qualities.

At the 2 stations where the largest number of varieties was tested those showing the highest rust-resisting power were the following: "Australian Wonder, Blount Lamrig, Buckley Rust-Proof, Fluorspar, Gore Indian, Improved Baart, Indian Early, Pearl, Inglis Battlefield, Leak, Manitoba, Marshall Nos. 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 11, 15, 22, 24, 35, 36, and 37, Marshall Success, Sicilian Baart, Summer Club, Tourmaline, Town and Country, Ward White, Wheaton Rust Proof, and White Fife. . . . Several, notably Marshall Nos. 3, 4, and 10, Buckley RustProof, Wheaton Rust-Proof. and Summer Club, are among the new wheats that are very promising."