232 AGRONOMY [BoT. Absts., Vol. VIII, 



1589. Annett, Harold Edward. Factors influencing alkaloidal content and yield of 

 latex in the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum). Biochem. Jour. 14: G18-636. 1920. — The 

 following points are discussed by the writer: (a) Alkaloidal content and yield of latex from each 

 of a series of successive lancings of the same capsule; (b) variation in rate of flow and morphine 

 content of latex at different periods of time after incision; (c) effects of different systems of 

 lancing on yield and composition of latex; (d) yield and alkaloidal content of latex from differ- 

 ent capsules on the same plant; (e) relation between stage of development of capsule and 

 yield, and alkaloidal content of latex; (f) effects of climate and weather conditions; (g) influ- 

 ence of manures; (h) influence of starvation; and (i) influence of heredity. — A. R. Davis. 



1590. B[arber], C. a. On the viability of sugar cane pollen. Internat. Sugar. Jour. 

 23: 71-72. 1921. — T. S. Venkataraman of the Coimbatore Cane-breeding Station in south 

 India reports success in germinating sugar cane pollen. The stigmas of Datura fastuosa var. 

 alba and Hibiscus vitifolia germinated cane pollen satisfactorily. Working with this test it 

 was found that cane pollen usually lost its viability in less than an hour, varying slightly 

 with the variety of cane. By protecting a cane plant with its arrows, the pollen sacs were 

 prevented from bursting. In this way pollen was kept viable for 6-14 days. — C. Rumbold. 



1591. Besemfelder, R. Der Zuckerriibenbau der Zukunft, [The sugar beet culture of 

 the future.] Mitteil. Deutsch. Landw. Ges. 35: 401-406. 1920.— A general review of the 

 factors affecting the growth of the sugar beet industry. — A. J. Pieters. 



1592. Bousset, Hermann. Das Schilfrohr als Wirtschaftspflanze und das Siedlungs- 

 problem. [Phragmites as an economic plant and the settlement problem.] Mitteil. Deutsch. 

 Landw. Ges. 35: 411-413. 1920. — There are 200,000 hectares of low land on sea and river in 

 Germany covered with Phragmites. The growth tends to encroach on the water and obstruct 

 navigation. To combat this, machines have been constructed with clam shell buckets to 

 dredge out the mass of rootstocks. It is said that the rootstocks contain 52 per cent extrac- 

 tives, of which 30 per cent is sugar. The rootstocks have been used to prepare alcohol, 100 kg. 

 of air dry material yielding 11 liters of 100 per cent alcohol. A heavy beer, resembling porter, 

 has also been brewed, and from some parts of the rootstocks a cocoa-like drink called "Branca" 

 can be made. A feed for cattle called "Fragruit" is also produced and is said to have a high 

 feeding and digestive value. — A. J. Pieters. 



1593. Dawe, M. T. Colombian pita fibre.— Part I. Tropic. Life 16: 182-183. 1920.— 

 The Pita plant. Ananas sp. is found in Colombia and adjacent South and Central American 

 republics. It has been known as Ananas macrodonies but a recent examination of material 

 at the Kew Gardens "proves the Colombian plant to be quite distinct from this species." 

 A single plant 10 feet or more in length and 4 inches broad in the middle bears from 20 to 40 

 leaves, and produces a pineapple-like fruit. Propagation is usually by rootstocks; the plant 

 makes its best growth in the shade. The Chiriguana forest of Colombia is famed for its 

 "pitales." It does best on a light sandy, well-drained soil. The fiber of the Pita plant is 

 long and strong and would be classed commercially as a hard fiber, and could be used as a 

 substitute for sisal, abaca (Manila hemp), and other hard fibers. — H. N. Vinall. 



1594. Egginton, G. E., and W. W. Robbins. Irrigation water as a factor in the dissemina- 

 tion of weed seed. Colorado Agric. Exp. Sta. Bull. 253. 25 p. 1920. — Weed traps of wire 

 netting were placed in irrigation ditches and at the end of varying periods their contents 

 were removed, dried, and examined. In 156 traps from 3 different ditches 81 species of 

 weed seeds were found. The factors influencing the number of seeds carried are enumerated 

 and explained: (1) Flora of ditch bank and adjacent territory; (2) season of year; (3) direction 

 and velocity of wind; (4) velocity of water and character of water surface. Continued grazing 

 is recommended as the most effective and most economical method in reducing week growth. 

 The seeding of ditch banks to brome grass is also suggested. — Elsa B. Eisendrath. 



