132 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



chess there. This shortened the size of the field for examination. In the 

 first nine stools of chess tiius examined, the old kernel of chess was still 

 attached to the lower end of the ascending axis just where it siiould have been 

 to produce the stool of chess. Something interrupted the work before com- 

 pleting the examination of other specimens. To be brief with these remarks 

 we need careful observation of trained eyes instead of long discussions based 

 on imaginary data, or data not well sustained by facts. 



NOTES ox VARIETIES OF SORGHUM. 



Except the seeds of Sorghum vulgare, all the following were received from 

 the Department of Agriculture at Washington. 



The season of 1882 was very backward and cool. Frost held off unusually 

 late, which made the heat and length of summer nearly au average. 



These seeds were planted on May 29th, in rows 10 feet in length, 3 feet 

 apart, and 1-j feet in the rows. 



On Oct. 23d the following notes were taken in regard to the growth of each 

 yariety : 



" Early Amber." — Medium height (about 9 feet), rather slender, and 

 nearly all ripe. 



"Honey." — Large stalk, tall, and none of it ripe. 



*'Grrey Top." — Large and stocky, medium height, and just in blossom. 



"Sorghum vulgare." — Much like Early Amber, but earlier. Fully ripe. 



** White Mammoth." — Large stalk, tall, and just in blossom. 



"Neeazana." — Much like Early Amber, little taller, and only a little past 

 flowering. 



''African." — Much like Early Amber, a few stalks nearly ripe. 



"Goose Neck." — Much like Early Amber, a little taller, and a few stalks 

 nearly ripe. 



"Stump." — Large stalk, quite tall, and none of it ripe. 



"Siberian." — Large, stout stalks, but none of it ripe. Just in blossom. 



"Link's Hybrid." — Stalks stout and tall, only just in blossom. 



" Honduras." — Stalks very tall and a little past flowering. 



"Miller." — Quite short and very slender, and all ripe. 



The seeds for the first six of the following were brought in 1881 to the U. S. 

 Agricultural Department by President James B. Angell, Minister to China. 



No. 1. Slender, taller than Early Amber, a part of it ripe ; stalks brittle, 

 some of it broken down. 



No. 2. Taller than Early Amber, much like it, nearly all ripe. 



No. 3. Much like Early Amber, very tall, and only a little past flowering. 



No. 4. Quite tall, slender, nearly all ripe. 



No. 5. Very tall, and only half of it ripe. 



No. 6. Very tall, a few stalks nearly ripe. 



No. 29. Tall and slender, a third of it ripe. 



No. 30. Medium size, a few stalks ripe. 



FERTILIZING THE FLOWERS OF INDIAN CORN. 



Stout paper sacks were drawn over several rudimentary ears before any silks 

 or pistils had appeared above the husks. In all cases no kernels were formed. 

 In two cases where the ear had been thus covered pollen was applied for self- 

 fertilization. In one case a few kernels only were revived ; in the other, no 

 kernels were formed. 



