275 



Effects of time and manner of harvesting on the yield of icheat. — The 

 objects of the experimeuts were to ascertain (I) the stage of growth 

 at which the largest yield of grain may be secured ; and (2) whether, 

 after cutting, any of the substances of the straw pass into the kernel, 

 and if so, the manner of harvesting most advantageous for this. 



The observations extended over two years, 1888 and 1889. Each 

 year twelve 5-pouud samples were taken each week, from the time when 

 the kernels were small and watery till they were hard and ripe and the 

 straw dry. The heads of four samples were removed immediately, and 

 both straw and heads dried under shelter. Without removing the 

 heads from the stalks four other samples were dried in imitation of 

 shocked grain, in the same room as the preceding four, and four were 

 spread on the ground in the sun until thoroughly air-dry. Tables give 

 the average weights of 1 ,000 kernels, 100 heads, 100 culms, and of straw 

 and chaff at dilfeyeut stages. The weights both of 1,000 kernels and 

 of the kernels from 100 culms were in both years the largest when the 

 kernels were ripe and hard, and at this stage the v/eights were larger 

 where the heads were removed immediately than where they were first 

 dried oh the stalks. Among the author's conclusions are the following : 

 "At the earlier stages of seed formation a considerable transfer of 

 material from the straw to the kernel may occur after cutting, if the 

 wheat is placed in conditions similar to the shocking and capping of 

 bound sheaves. * * * The results indicate that it is better to allow 

 the wheat to get nearly if not entirely ripe [to secure the maximum 

 yield] and that if it be necessary to cut at a much greener stage, shock- 

 ing and capping would probably be beneficial." 



Louisiana Stations, Bulletin No. 1 (Second Series), (pp. 25). 



Analyses of commercial fertilizers and other substances 

 USEFUL to agriculture, W. C. Stubbs, Ph. D. — A report on the 

 analysis of forty-four samples of commercial fertilizers, besides cot- 

 ton-seed meal, tankage, bone meal, bat manure, natural i)hosphate, 

 marl, water, Paris green, and bituminous coal. Popular explanations 

 of fertilizing ingredients and the valuation of commercial fertilizers are 

 given, together with the full text of the State fertilizer law. 



Louisiana Stations, Bulletin No. 2 (Second Series), (pp. 14). 



Texas screw worm, H. A. IMorgan, B. S. A. (pp. 29-39). — A rec- 

 ord of observations and experiments by the author during the past 

 summer, in view of the fact that the Texas screw worm {Lucilia macel- 

 laria) has been unusually prevalent in Louisiana, causing much injury 

 to stock, and in some cases even the death of human beings. Animals 

 were purchased by the station for this investigation, which will be con- 

 tinued during the winter. The life history of the insect is described 

 and illustrated. "The larvae we had under our control remained iu 

 15717— No. G 2 



