634 iEXf»EEIMENT STATION RECORD. 



centage of i)rotein and a liijilier percentage of fiber in the water-free substance 

 than the later cuttings. 



On November 5, 1011, after abundant fall rains, alfalfa soil and potato soil 

 had 20.49 and 18.06 per cent of moisture in the surface 6 in. and 18.72 and 15.94 

 per cent, respectively, in the next 6 in. of soil. Each had 0.251 per cent of 

 nitrogen in the surface soil, but the alfalfa land had a somewhat higher per- 

 centage of nitrogen in the subsoil. 



Trials of imported lucern seed, E. Baring et au (Agr. Gaz. N. S. Wales, 22 

 (1911), iVo. 10, pp. SHS-909). — Notes and tables present data secured in tests 

 on a number of experimental farms of see^l of a considerable number of varie- 

 ties of alfalfa grown in America. 



Crossbreeding corn, C. P. Hartlky et .\l. (U. S. Dept. Agr., Bur, Plant Indus. 

 Bui. 218, pp. 72, fig. ./).— This bulletin states the results obtained in 190&-10 

 in field tests at various points in Califoi'uia, Georgia, Maryland, and Texas in 

 such a way as to show the relative productiveness of first generation crosses 

 and their parent varieties. Nineteen tables state numerical data obtained 

 in growing numerous varieties and crosses. From the data presented the 

 authors draw the conclusions which follow: 



Frequently iutermediaey was observed in such characters as productiveness, 

 height of stalk, length of growing season, and moisture percentage, although 

 the varieties used were those locally popular, and therefore not radically 

 different in their characters. Consequently, iutermediaey was not as apparent 

 as in these of a cross of very unlike parents. Since exceptions in one direction 

 are offset by those in the other direction, the averages of many crosses usually 

 indicate iutermediaey, but in so few instances did the first-generation crosses 

 average less in yield than the 2 parents that the authors believe that "the 

 average productiveness of first-generation corn crosses is usually above the 

 average of the parents." Reports of other tests of this nature have also indi- 

 cated that these first-generation crosses excel in yield the average of the parents, 

 but the authors regard it as uncertain how far these results have been affected 

 by differences in the age and vitality of seed or the factors of adaptation, 

 selection, and environment. " If further tests should show that with all con- 

 ditions equalized there still exists a tendency for first-generation crosses to 

 produce better than the average of the 2 parents, it might be taken as au 

 indication that the higher yielding parent is usually prepotent." 



Just as somew^hat variable results followed the crossing of varieties, varia- 

 tions were also observed in crossings of different ears within the same variety, 

 and ditferent ears from different varieties. Just as some varieties nick well 

 and others do not, individual plants also give variable results. "This shows 

 the results obtained by crossing 2 varieties without reference to individual 

 plants to be but an average of the results that would be obtained by crossing 

 many individual plants of those varieties." 



It is noted that the most profitable varieties for given localities will often 

 be varieties that have not been crossbred or mixed with other varieties for 

 many years, and their merits are doubtless largely the results of selection, 

 acclimatization, and adaptation. The determination of the particular first- 

 generation crosses best suited to a given locality is attended by many com- 

 l)lexities. Careful tests are necessary before the local grower can be intelli- 

 gently advised whether to continue planting a pure-bred strain, or to use a 

 first-generation cross of certain strains. 



Maize at Grafton Experiment Farm, A. H. Haywood (Agr. Gaz. N. 8. Wales, 

 22 (1911), No. JO, pp. 8S9-897. pis. .'/, figs. C).— A full statement of the methods 

 used is followed by notes on the corn varieties tested. 



