FIELD CROPS. 39 



the crop of 1908 jimounted to 13,587.300 bales; of 1907, 11,375,461 bales; of 

 1906. 13,595,498 bales; of 1905. 10,804,556 bales; and of 1904, 13,679,954 bales. 

 The crop of 1908 is the third largest ever produced, that of 1904 being the 

 largest and that of 1906 standing next. Notes are given on the estimation of 

 unginned cotton, linter cotton, and extension of the cotton-growing area, to- 

 gether with tables showing the status of the cotton industry in different States. 



At the close of February, 1909, the stocks of cotton in the country amounted 

 to 5,263,349 bales, of which 1,820.033 bales were in the hands of manufacturers, 

 367,959 bales still held by the producers. 2,238.224 bales stored in independent 

 warehouses, 542,543 bales in the hands of transportation companies, and 294,590 

 bales controlled by other holders. From September 1, 1908, to February 28, 

 1909, inclusive, 6,566,571 bales were exported. The indicated consumption in 

 this country for the 6-month period ended February 28. 1909, was 2,534,040 

 bales, including 15.0G0 bales destroyed by fire. 



Potato culture, T. Remy {Der Hackfruchtbau. — /, Der Kartoffelbau. Berlin, 

 1909, pp. VI +177, figs. 21).— Th\s book is published as part 1 of a series deal- 

 ing with the culture of hoed crops. The extension and importance of growing 

 hoed crops are discussed and a general treatise on potato culture is presented. 

 The history of the potato is related and the chemical composition, culture, 

 storage, and i)reparation for market of the crop are described. 



Soy beans, C. V. Piper and H. T. Nielsen (U. S. Dcpt. Agi:, Fanners' Bui. 

 372, pp. 26, figs. 6). — This describes the climatic and soil requirements of the 

 soy bean, gives full cultural directions, and discusses the use of the crop for 

 hay, pasturage, ensilage, and as feed in the form of grain. Descriptions are 

 given of the following varieties: Mammoth. Hollybrook, Ito San, Geulph. Buck- 

 shot, Ogemaw, Wisconsin Black, \yilson. Meyer, Austin, Haberlandt, and Rice- 

 land. Notes are also given on growing the soy bean in combination with other 

 crops and on storing soy-bean seed. 



Improved seed wheat, A. M. Ten Eyck (Kansas Sta. Circ. 3, pp. 12, figs. 2). — 

 During the past year, variety tests were conducted with 82 samples of wheat. 

 The hard red winter wheats which were distributed were Kharkof No. 382, 

 Turkey Red No. 380, Turkey Red No. 570, Malakoff, Bearded Fife, Defiance, 

 Crimean No. 1125, Hard Red Winter No. 839, and Ghirke, and the soft wheats 

 distributed were Zimmerman, Fultz, Cux-rell, Fulcaster, and Mediterranean. 

 Descriptions of these varieties are given. 



Reports from growers indicate that the Kharkof and Turkey Red wheats dis- 

 tributed by the station are superior to much of the wheat now commonly 

 grown in the State in vigor, drought resistance, early maturing qualities, 

 greater absence of lodging, and in some cases somewhat greater resistance to 

 the Hessian fly. 



Second report of the Nebraska seed laboratory, E. M. Wilcox and Nelle 

 Stevenson (Nebraska St a. Rpt. 1908. pp. 143-158).— In continuation of work 

 previously noted (E. S. R., 21. p. 435), 701 seed samples were received during 

 the fiscal year ended July 1, 1909. The samples came from 13 States, about 

 one-half being from Nebraska. The results of the examination and of the 

 purity and germination tests are presented in tabular form. 



The frequency of occurrence of 163 kinds of weed seeds in the seed of alfalfa, 

 clovers, flax, and grasses and grass mixtures is presented in an extended table. 

 Special tables give the names and frequency of occurrence of the various kinds 

 of weed seeds found in alfalfa, red clover, and awnless brome grass seed. In 

 249 samples of alfalfa seed, 98 different weeds were found, green foxtail, found 

 in 151 samples, and Russian thistle, found in 75 samples, being the most com- 

 mon. In 138 samples of red clover, 83 different weeds were found, green fox- 



