12 AGRONOMY [Bot. Absts., Vol. IV, 



96. Marchand, B. de C, and B. J. Smit. The composition of some feeding stuffs. 

 Union of South Africa, Dept, Agric. Bull., Gen. Ser. 5: 1-11. 1919. 



97. Mathieu, E. Acclimatisation trials of lima beans (Phaseolus lunatus). Gardens' 

 Bull. Straits Settlements 2 : 121-129. 1919.— As a result of trials with eight varieties of Ameri- 

 can lima beans through three generations, it was concluded that the beans had not suffered 

 degeneration through change of climate and had become definitely acclimatized. — S. F. 

 Trelease. 



9S. McCall, J. Stewart J. Nyasaland Protectorate. Ann. Rept. Dept. Agric. for year 

 ending 31st March, 1918. 26 p. 1919. 



99. McClellan, F. C. Zanzibar protectorate. Ann. Rept. Agric. Dept. for year 1917. 

 15 p. 1919. 



100. McH argue, J. S. The effect of manganese on the growth of wheat: a source of 

 manganese for agricultural purposes. Jour. Indust. Eng. Chem. 11:332-335. 1919. — See 

 Bot. Absts. 4, Entry 1610. 



101. McKee, Roland. Australian saltbush. U. S. Dept. Agric. Bull. 617. 11 p. Fig. 

 1-4. 1919. — This forage plant, Atriplex semibaccata, was introduced into this country about 

 25 years ago and distributed for planting throughout the arid and semi-arid regions. Suc- 

 cessful production has occurred only in certain regions of southern California and in Ari- 

 zona. The plant is semiwoody, perennial, procumbent and forms a dense mass. It is thriving 

 best in regions having a minimum temperature of 19°F, mean annual rainfall of 9 to 16 inches 

 and soils relatively high in alkali. The plant is comparatively drought resistant, spreads 

 aggressively and is high in content of common salt. For the last reason it is not highly pala- 

 table but a valuable range feed for sheep, goats, cattle and horses when other feed is scarce. 

 For maximum value, it should be supplemented with other forage. Its greatest value is to 

 supply a late summer range forage and in some cases a soiling crop. It has little value as 

 hay. — E. V. Hardenburg. 



102. McLean, Forman T. The importance of climatology to tropical agriculture. Phil- 

 ippine Agric. 7: 191-194. 1919— See Bot. Absts. 4, Entry 379. 



103. McTaggart, A. Limiting factors in farming. New Zealand Jour. Agric. 18:332- 

 338. 1919. — The subject is treated under subheads of labor, machinery and power; soil- 

 moisture; weather conditions; knowledge and its application; business training; soil treat- 

 ment; weeds; pests and diseases; cooperation; and migratory farming. The difficulties 

 encountered and possible methods of overcoming them are dealt with briefly. This entir^ 

 problem is one which should receive careful investigation from the best men in the various 

 fields. — N. J. Giddings. 



104. Mercier, C. A. The electrification of seeds. Sci. Amer. 120 : 142-143. 6 fig. 1919.— 

 The process is very simple in principle. A salt solution that will act as a conductor is 

 placed in a tank, the seeds to be treated are steeped in it, and a weak current of electricity 

 passed through it by means of electrodes of large surface, attached to two opposite end walls 

 of the tank. The seed is then taken out and dried. The kind of salt used, the strength of the 

 solution, the length of treatment, the strength of the current and the speed and amount of 

 drying is varied according to the kind of seed, soil factors and other conditions Detailed 

 methods have been worked out for wheat, oats and barley, but root crops, maize, rice, cabbage 

 and other plants grown for seed are known to be benefited. Advantages of the process are (1) 

 an average increase of yield of 25 to 30 per cent; (2) increased quality of crop as indicated 

 by the weight per bushel, which in the cereals mean better milling quality, less offal and 

 more flour per bushel; (3) an increase in the straw (electrified seed produces larger crops of 

 straw and the straws are longer and stronger than unelectrified), and (4) the reduction in 

 the growing plants of smut, bunt, rust and other fungus diseases. Disadvantages are (1) 



