No. 3, October, 1921] AGRONOMY 177 



1129. Lansdell, K. A. A South African gum. (Combretumerythrophyllum Burch.) Jour. 

 Dept. Agric. Union of South Africa 1: S34-S37. 1920. — This plant, growing in the neighbor- 

 hood of Pretoria, produces a gum which promises to be as valuable in tanning as Gum Tra- 

 gacanth. Description of the tree with illustrations and copy of a report on the gum by the 

 Imperial Institute are given. — E. M. Doidge. 



1130. Lansdell, K. A. Pappea capensis seed. Jour. Dept. Agric. Union of South 

 Africa 1: 760-764. 1 pi. 1920. — It was found that whole seed of Pappea capensis yield 47.8 

 per cent of oil and the decorticated kernels 73.5 per cent. The oil is of a non-drying type 

 suitable for soap making or use as a lubricant. The chemical analysis of the meal after the 

 oil is expressed shows a slight inferiority to cotton seed meal. No feeding tests of the meal 

 were conducted. An illustration and description of the plant are given. — E. M. Doidge. 



1131. Leplae, E. La culture du coton au Congo beige (1915-1919). [Cotton culture in 

 Belgian Congo, 1915-1919.] Bull. Agric. Congo Beige 11: 80-106. Fig. 19-22. 1920.— This 

 ia an account of the establishment and extension of cotton culture during the period under 

 review. The natives of Maniema, Sankuru, and Kasai have adopted cotton as a staple 

 crop; the sale of cotton produces a considerable revenue and the acreage under cotton increases 

 rapidly. The natives planted 45 hectares in 1916, 800 in 1917, 1000 in 1918, and 2000 in 1920. 

 Of the varieties tested Triumph Big Boll and Simpkins have given the best results. — E. M. 

 Doidge. 



1132. Mainw AIRING, C. Maize for export, with notes on grades and grading. Rhodesia 

 Agric. Jour. 18: 174-178. 1 fig. 1921. — Grades for export maize in the Union of South Africa, 

 Portuguese East Africa, and Southern Rhodesia are given. Special advice is given as to con- 

 dition and quality of bags, and general advice with reference to exporting. — E. M. Doidge. 



1133. Mason, T. G. Nep. Agric. News [Barbados] 20: 22. 1921.— After tracing the life 

 history of the lint hair, as given by Balls, the author concludes that the prospects of reducing 

 "nepiness" are not promising under ordinary conditions, the only feasible suggestion being 

 that of growing a strain of cotton similar to that isolated in St. Vincent by Dr. Harlan d, 

 and characterized by a low rate of boll-shedding. If this were planted so that maximum 

 boll-production occurred in the drier months, the deposit of secondary cellulose might be 

 expected to proceed uniformly. Success would seem to depend on the recognition and elimina- 

 tion of strains forming an abnormal number of flabby fibers. — /. S. Dash. 



1134. Mason, T. G. The water factor in crop production. Agric. News [Barbados] 19: 

 355. 1921. — The2 main points discussed by the author are (l)^electing plants adapted to local 

 conditions, and (2) adjusting the water factor of the environment to the needs of the plant. 

 CertaiiU cultural methods are referred to, — dust mulch, the use of a trash mulch for sugar- 

 cane, and wider spacing of certain crops, such as maize. — J. S. Dash. 



1135. Melle, Henry A., and Sydney M. Stent. Fodder and pasture grasses of South 

 Africa. 1. Sudangrass. (Sorghum sudanense Stapf.) Jour. Dept. Agric. Union of South Africa 

 2: 425-433. 4 fig- 1921. — Sudan grass is closely related to the kafir, broom, and sweet sor- 

 ghums, but yields superior hay; 3 or 4 cuttings can be obtained under favorable conditions. 

 The yields vary from 2 to 8 tons of hay per acre. Sudan grass grows well in districts suitable 

 for kafir corn and is recommended for cultivation in areas where it is too hot and dry for 

 the successful growing of teff. — E. M. Doidge. 



1136. MtJNTER, F. Sonnenblumen und Helianthi und Mais als Silagemasse. [Sunflowers, 

 Helianthi, and maize as silage.] Illus.Landw. Zeitg. 41:44. 1921. — The author reports chemi- 

 cal analyses of dried sunflower, Helianthi, and maize at various stages in their development. 

 The Helianthi were highest in albumen content, but the latter decreased in all the plants as 

 they approached maturity. When the Helianthi are harvested late for silage they should be 

 mixed with leguminous plants. In general, the sunflowers should be cut at any time between 



