FIELD CROPS. 43 



Use of sea salt as a fertilizer for beets, H. Mette {Sucr. Indig. et Colon., 

 76 (1910), No. 22, p. 501 ; abs. in Internat. Inst. Agr. [Rome], Bui. Bur. Agr. 

 Intel, and Plant Diseases, 2 {1911), No. 1, pp. 70, 71). — On land abundantly 

 manured and seeded to barley the preceding year an application of 400 Ijg. per 

 hectare (356 lbs. per acre) of sea salt was followed by a yield of 29,540 kg. 

 of beets per hectare (12.6 tons per acre) as compared with 27,228 kg. on the 

 checlj plat, with a sugar content of 21.48 per cent and 20.58 per cent, respec- 

 tively. The author regards these results as due to the hygroscopic action of the 

 salt in gathering moisture from the atmosphere rather than to its direct physio- 

 logical effects. 



The German beet harvest, A. Bartens (BI. Zuckerrubenhaii, 17 (1910), 

 No. 23, pp. 373-376; abs. in Internat. Inst. Agr. [Rome], Bui. Bur. Agr. Intel, 

 and^ Plant Diseases, 2 (1911). No. 1, p. 95). — In view of the general belief that 

 the sugar beet yields of Germany are decreasing and that the sugar content is 

 forrespondingly increasing, the author summarizes data as to the yields of 

 beets and their sugar contents by 5 year periods from 1871 to 1910. He does not 

 regard the figures as showing a decrease in yield or a relation between yield 

 and sugar content. 



Wheat experiments, C. G. Williams and F. A. Welton( 0/iio 8ta. Bui. 

 231, pp. 22, figs. 4). — In 13 consecutive tests Dawson Golden Chaff. Gipsy, Poole, 

 and Perfection gave the highest average yields. The results of 24 distinct tests 

 conducted during 14 seasons indicate that the greatest net returns have resulted 

 from sowings of 8 pk. per acre. During 1902-1910, seedings made September 22 

 have averaged higher in yield than those made at other dates between Septem- 

 ber 1 and October 27. In 7 years' tests no considerable advantage was obtained 

 by rejecting medium to small disease-free kernels as seed. 



Rotation tests indicate that good systems of rotation give larger yields and 

 greater economy of production than continuous wheat growing. These tests 

 included 17 years' work. Wide variation appeared in milling and baking tests 

 of 41 varieties. Considering yield and the quality as determined by milling and 

 baking tests Valley, Xigger, Gipsy, Hickman, and Perfection have been found 

 among the best. 



Tables present brief descriptions of the principal varieties of the wheats 

 tested, and state the resistance to smut and lodging, the yield of grain and 

 straw, and other data. Analyses of wheats of the sound varieties and of the 

 products made from them are included. 



The lower price of beardless wheats in comparison with bearded wheats 

 (Coltivatore, 56 (1910), No. 34, P- 503; ahs. in Internat. Inst. Agr. [Rome], 

 Bui. Bur. Agr. Intel, and Plant Diseases, 2 (1911). No. 1, pp. SI, 82). — Analyses 

 of the starch and wet gluten contents of 2 bearded and 2 beardless wheats are 

 reported. The conclusion is drawn that the difference is insufficient to justify 

 any prejudice against the bearded variety. 



A possible new method of determining the variety groups of cultivated 

 plants, with special reference to wheat, E. de Cillis (Intorno ad un Possible 

 Nuovo Metodo di Determinazione delle Razze di Piwnte Coltivate, con Speciale 

 Riguardo al Frumento. Naples, 1911, pp. Jf2, pis. .{). — A method based mainly 

 on mathematical deductions is described and its possible advantages are 

 pointed out. 



German agricultural plant breeding, P. Hillmann (Arb. Dent. Landw. 

 Oesell., 1910, No. 16S, pp. XXXVI-{-G03+lO, pi. 1. figs. 3^6, map i).— This book 

 is a history of German plant breeding, including a description of the work car- 

 ried on at the present time in both public and private Institutions. As pointed 

 out in this work. Germany has to-day 43 breeders of winter rye, 3 of spring 

 rye, 61 of winter wheat, 23 of spring wheat, 5 of winter barley, 60 of spring 



