FIELD CROPS. 631 



experiments condviftcd at ditTerent points for from 4 to 9 years, i-eporting the 

 fertilizers ui)plied during each year, and chemical and mechanical analyses of 

 the soils, and discussing the results very fully, especially as to the amounts of 

 nitrogen, pliosphoric acid and potash required in fertilizing meadow soils and 

 the forms in which phosphoric acid should be applied. 



Soil analyses are regarded as of little value in determining the fertility re- 

 quirements of meadows, but analyses of the crop produced by the soil are 

 deemed useful as indicating its fei'tilizer requirements. It is thought that a 

 meadow yielding hay containing 2 per cent or more of potash will not have 

 its hay yield increased by the application of potash as the crop is already 

 overfed. If the hay contains 1.8 per cent of potash, it is possible that applica- 

 tions of this fertilizer will increase the yield, if the percentage is 1.6 applica- 

 tions will i)robably j)rove beneficial, while if the potash content is but 1.4 per 

 cent or less it is [>ractically certain that the soil is deficient in potash. In 

 some in.stances the author succeeded in raising the potash content of the hay 

 produced by a given soil from O.S per cent to 3 per cent. 



The same method is regarded as applicable in determining the phosplioric acid 

 requirements of the soil. The percentages of this substance contained in the 

 hay varied from 0.28 to 0.8. It is thought that the soil should be enriched 

 with phosphoric acid when the hay contains less than 0.7 per cent. Basic slag 

 is regarded as a better source of phosphorus than superphosphate because of 

 the lime which it contains, as meadows are frequently sour and applications of 

 kainit or muriate of itotash may be made. 



Pastures and meadows in the Weichsel marshes, C. A. Weber (Arb. Dent. 

 LuuiJir. (IcscU., 1!M)!), Xo. lli'j, pp. 7-/ '/.<?). — .Meteorological data are given, 

 together with many mechanical and chemical analyses of soils of the different 

 localities on the Weichsel marshes, these being compared with similar data 

 from the North Sea marshes. Systematic studies of the areas jtroducing 

 pi'ofitable grasses are reported from 17 different localities in each of which 

 the various varieties found upon selected plats of 2r» square meters are noted, 

 together with the i)ercentage of the plats occupied by each. Observations are 

 also given on the relation existing between the character of vegetation present, 

 the soil moisture and texture, and the amount of plant food present. 



Promising root crops for the South {U. S. Dept. Agr.. Bur. Plant Indus. Bul- 

 16Jf, pp. .'i3, pis. 10). — This consists of two papers. 



I. Yautias, taros, and dasheens, O. W. Barrett (pp. 7-29). — This paper re- 

 ports a continuation of investigations begun in Porto Rico, and reported as 

 Bulletin 6 of the Porto Rico Station (E. S. R.. 17. p. 246). A general descrip- 

 tion is given of yautias, taros, and dasheens, together with directions for their 

 culture, fertilization, harvesting and storage, and suggestions as to their 

 probable value in this countx-y. It is stated that these plants are moderate 

 in their cultural and fertility requirements and have comparatively few in- 

 sect and fungus pests. They .are propagated by cuttings of the root or root 

 stock and different varieties may be used as salad plants, as stock food, either 

 fresh or ground into meal, or for the production of alcohol. Tubers of many 

 varieties are suitable for table use. 



The author believes that they may be profitably grown on large areas of 

 abandoned wet lands. Although introduced from the tropics their crop season 

 is sufficiently short to allow their maturing before killing frosts during most 

 years, and one or two varieties have produced a fair yield as far north as 

 central New York. The Rolliza yautia has produced 15 tons of edible tubers 

 per acre, besides 5 tons of rootstocks suitable for stock feeding or starch 

 manufacture. 



