FIELD CROPS. 725 



of Miicoi', Rhizopus, Aspergillns, Cladosporlimi, Rotrytis, and Thamnidium are 

 given. 



A nitrogen fixing- yeast (Torula wiesneri), H. Zikes (Sitzhcr. K. Akitd. 

 M]iss. Wiciina], Math. Xatiirw. KL, 118 {190!)), I, No. 7, pp. 1091-1133; ff&.s. in 

 CentU. Bakt. [etc.], 2. Aht.. 26 (1910), No. //-5, pp. 91, 92).— The author claims 

 to have Isolated from laurel leaves a yeast which is able to fix free nitrogen, 

 and to which is given the name T. xciesneri. The isolation was accomplished 

 on a hard agar medium, consisting of a 2 per cent grape sugar solution and 0.02 

 per cent potassium phosphate. This nutrient medium had only a slight nitro- 

 gen content, nevertheless it is claimed that for every gram of sugar consumed 

 the yeast fixed 2.3 to 2.4 mg. of nitrogen. 



The behavior of the fungus on different media and its morphological charac- 

 ters are described. Several other yeasts were also isolated on glucose agar, 

 none of which were nitrogen fixers. 



The morphological and biological significance of the root tubercles of the 

 Leguminosge, P. Vuillemin {Hul. Soc. 8ci. Nanci/, 3. fier., 10 (1909), No, 1, 

 pp. 30-Ji5). — This is a general review of the literature and of the theories of 

 various investigators on the biological and morphological characters of the root 

 tubercles of the Leguminosu'. 



Observations on the growing of nitrogen-fixing plants (clover) with non- 

 leguminous plants by sowing mixed seed, R. Tacke (Prakt. Bl. Pflanzcnbnu 

 II. t<cliiitz, n. scr., 7 (1909), No. 12, pp. 15.1,-156). — It is claimed that on high 

 moorlands the use of a mixture of clover and grass seed for grass meadows has 

 proved highly satisfactory. 



FIELD CROPS. 



Improvement of pastures in eastern New^ York and the New England 

 States, J. S. Cotton (U. S. Dept. Agr., Bur. Plant Indu.s. Circ. 1/9, pp. 10, 

 pis. 2). — This circular, which supplements Fai'mers' Rulletin 337 previously 

 noted (E. S. R., 20, p. 571), points out some of the fundamental principles in 

 the improvement of the deteriorated pastures of eastern New York and the 

 New England States, where close grazing cliecks the growth of perennial plants, 

 diminishes the supply of humus, and makes the ground too dry for the mainte- 

 nance of native forage plants. Dairy and beef pastures are contrasted, and 

 early grazing, close grazing, overgrazing, and means of overcoming their un- 

 favorable results by fertilizing, cultivation, reseeding,, eradication of weeds, 

 and other practices are discussed. 



Food grasses of southwest Africa, R. Pilger (Notizhl. K. Bat. Gartens u. 

 Mus. Berlin, 1910, No. J/G, pp. 133-155, figs. 12). — ^A general botanical discussion 

 of food grasses in southwest Africa is followed by a description of each of 

 the more important varieties with a statement as to their geographical distri- 

 bution and economic i»roiierties. 



Besults of cooperative tests of varieties of corn, wheat, oats, soy beans, 

 and cowpeas, 1909, A. T. Wiancko and C. O. Cromer (Indiana Sfa. Bui. 139, 

 pp. S9-123, fig. /). — This bulletin reports tlie results of a continuation of 

 variety tests previously noted (E. S. R., 21, p. 35). 



During 1909, experiments were conducted on over 900 farms, from 3 to 12 

 being located in each county. The yields are reported by sections ranging from 

 section 1 in the northwest corner of the State to section 12 in the southeast 

 corner. During the period 1906-1909. inclusive, the yields per acre of the lead- 

 ing varieties of corn in the various sections have been, respectively, as follows: 

 Section 1, Silver Mine and Early Yellow Dent, 50.8 and 50 bu. ; section 2, Silver 

 Mine, Anson White Dent, and Dunn Yellow Dent, 57.5, 54.7, and 54.7 bu. ; sec- 

 tion 3. Reid Yellow Dent and Hudson Learning, 57.6 and 55.5 bu. ; section 4, 



