FIELD CROPS. 337 



Chem., 38 (1909), No. 7, pp. Ji65-Ji(i7). — Exiteriments were couducted with 5 

 samples of beet seed, each divided into 3 parts, oue of which was dried in air 

 for 5 days, another at 50° C, and the third liept in a damp room for the 

 same period, at the close of which tlie air-dried seeds averaged 13.08 per cent 

 water, those dried at 50° C, 4.86 per cent, and those l^ept damp. 20.9 per cent. 



Tests made of the vitality and viability showed that the drying exerted a 

 favorable influence upon both, as indicated by tlie strong and rapid develop- 

 ment of the embryos. The recommendation is made that where beet seed offered 

 for sale has a water content of more than 15 per cent, a redaction be made 

 for each additional per cent. 



[Report on experiments carried out on sugar plantations during the 

 year ended December 31, 1907], J. B. Harrison ((feorgetown, Demerara: 

 Govt., 1908, PI). 7). — Data are presented for the crops of the year, witli tables 

 giving information relating to the various varieties tested on 31 different 

 plantations. These tests were conducted to determine the quantity of product 

 and its quality as related to its manufacture and the fuel value of the megass. 



The sugar laws, K. I.eciku (Les Lois Siicricrc.s. Paris: (lort., 1909, pp. 

 1857). — This volume presents a collection of French laws, decrees, proclama- 

 tions, and certain other legal documents relating to sugar, covering the period 

 1304-1909. A brief history of the origin of sugar laws is also given. 



The importance of rotations in tobacco culture, O. Chevalier (Canada 

 Dept. Agr., Tobacco Div. Bui. A'>, pp. 12). — This bulletin contains notes on the 

 plant food and soil requirements of tobacco, the fertilizer and moisture require- 

 ments of the soil, and the rotations and cultivation best suited for tobacco pro- 

 duction. The rotation recommended is (1) tobacco, (2) a cereal, and (3) 

 clover. 



Report on the tobacco industry in Ontario, W. A. Barnet (Canada Dept. 

 Agr., Tobacco Div. Bui. A4, pp. I'l). — ^This bulletin contains a general report 

 and recommendations on methods of prei)aratiou of land, manuring and fer- 

 tilizing, cultural methods, seed selection, and the eradication of insect pests. 



Experimental work carried on in 1908 (Canada Dept. Agr., Tobacco Dw. 

 Bui. A6, pp. 31). — This Itulletin consists of three articles. 



I. PrrVuninunj experiments in growing seed plants, F. Charlan. — These experi- 

 ments undertook to determine, (1) the limitations of the use of bags during 

 fertilization, (2) the effects upon seed production of the entire or partial re- 

 moval of the leaves. (3) the influence of season and temperature, and (4) the 

 proper time of harvesting seed. Capsules fertilized under bags and ripened in 

 the open air had an average germination percentage of 10.4 above that of cap- 

 sules fertilized and ripened under bags, and of 1.61 per cent above that of 

 capsules fertilized and ripened in the open air. It is concluded that all leaves 

 should be left on seed plants save the bottom leaves that would ordinarily 

 disappear at priming and the top leaves ordinarily removed at the time of 

 topping. Harvesting should be completed early and the capsules picked just 

 before the sepals turn brown. 



II. Experiments in the sterilization of soils, F. Charlan. — Soils were sterilized 

 experimentally during the years 1906-7 to control the blight or mosaic disease 

 by means of formalin and by treatment for 30 minutes with steam under 60 

 lbs. pressure. The formalin was used in a solution containing 2* lbs. of for- 

 malin to 50 gal. of water and applied at the rate of 1 gal. per square foot. 

 Both methods appeared effective. The treatment by steam also killed weed seed 

 and is preferred except in the absence of a boiler. 



III. Commercial fertilizers in tobacco culture, O. Chexalier. — This aiticle out- 

 lines plat fertilizer experiments by which the tobacco grower may test the fer- 

 tility requirements of his soils. 



