FIELD CROPS. 231 



U., 20, p. 325) the authors give an account of studies being conducted to deter- 

 mine accurately the Aariation in a common variety of garden peas. In connec- 

 tion witli this work the subject of heredity and correlation of characters is 

 being considered, but nothing has been developed in the way of correlations. 

 The studies in variation showed marked differences in the different strains of 

 Iieas. In the studies in heredity the second generation gave no very conclu- 

 f^ive results. 



On self-sterility in red clover, H. Witte (Sreriyes Utsadcsfor. Tidskr.. 19 

 (1909), No. 2, PI). 106-1 tO). — Experiments conducted by the author led to the 

 conclusion that some of the varieties of red clover are entirely self-sterile, and 

 that this is also the case with alsike clover and bird's foot clover. 



FIELD CROPS. 



Report of the agriculturist, W. P. P.uooks, E. S. Fultox, and E. F. Gaskill 

 i Massachusetts Sta. Rpt. 1908, pt. 2, pp. 32-36). — This is a report of work of 

 which previous results have been noted (E. S. R., 20, p. 327). It was con- 

 (Inclcd with 384 pots in the vegetation house, 136 closetl plats, and 313 field 

 plats. 



In the exiterinient begun in 1890 to determine the relative value of barnyard 

 manure, nitrate of soda, sulphate of ammonia, and dried blood as a source of 

 nitrogen, the year's crop was alsike clover mixed with grasses that came into 

 the plats. The relative rank of these materials for the year was dried blood, 

 nitrate of soda, barnyard manure, and sulphate of ammonia. The average per- 

 centage basis for all results secured since 1890 is as follows: Nitrate of soda, 

 100 ; barnyard manure, 81.57 ; sulphate of ammonia, 60.18 ; and dried blood, 68.40. 



*' Since a pound of nitrogen usually sells at a lower price in nitrate of soda 

 than in either of the others, the wisdom t)f making a large use of this material 

 as a source of nitrogen is apparent." 



On a field where potash salts had been applied for 11 years to certain plats the 

 average results were in favor of the potash plats in the case of corn to the 

 extent of 2.7 per cent, but in favor of the no-potash plats in the case of cab- 

 bage to the extent of 6.33 per cent. During the previous season potatoes were 

 grown on this field and showed a difference of 36.96 per cent in favor of the 

 potash plats. 



The field where a special corn fertilizer was tested produced in 1908 the 

 heaviest crop in its history, 94 bu. of sound corn and 7.760 lbs. of stover per 

 jicre being yielded with the special fertilizer as compared with 90.23 bu. of 

 sound corn and 9,224 lbs. of stover with a. fertilizer richer in potash. This 

 experiment has continued now 18 years without a single unprofitable crop. 



An acre which has grown corn and grass for 19 years, most of the time in 

 alternate periods of two years produced corn at the rate of 90.43 bu. of hard 

 grain and 8.800 lbs. of stover per acre on the portion fertilized with manure 

 alone at the rate of 6 cords per acre, whereas on that portion fertilized at the 

 rate of 4 cords of manure and 160 lbs. of high-grade sulphate of potash per acre, 

 86.72 bu. of hard corn and 8,280 lbs. of stover per acre were produced. The 

 greater yield produced with manure alone is insufficient to balance the greater 

 cost of this method. 



The field used to test different phosphates was planted to cabbages. Drought 

 affected the yield but not the comparative results. The highest yields were 

 obtained from the plats receiving raw bone at the rate of 20,240 lbs., dissolved 

 boneblack, 20,018 lbs., and basic slag meal, 19,120 lbs. per acre, respectively, 

 these being eight times greater than those on the no-phosphate plats. 



On a nine-acre field of grass land top-dressed with manure, bone and potash, 

 and wood ashes at the rates of 5,005, 5.345, and 4,624 lbs. per acre, respectively. 



