FIELD CROPS. 235 



regarding wool, silk, cotton, and other fibers iu this handbook, which, as the 

 authors state, deals with the principal fibers used in " what for want of a better 

 term may be called the ' isolated ' condition," that is, " fibers used in a more 

 or less dissociated condition in spinning, weaving, cordage, brush making, and 

 upholstery." 



Studies on the microscopical examination of fibers, particularly linen and 

 hemp, for technical purposes, R. Korn (Jahrcshcr. Ver. Angcio. Bot., 7 {J009), 

 pp. 189-23.',, pis. 2, figs. i2).— Extended investigations are reported on the 

 identification of fibers. 



Report of field trials with varieties of oats, T. JIilburn and A. W. Patten 

 {County Council Lfincasfer, Ed. Com., Agr. Dept., Farmers' Bui. 18, pp. 7). — In 

 a test of 6 oat varieties on each of 4 farms in 1909 Wide Awake and Banner 

 produced the highest grain yields of 66 and 63i bushels per acre, respectively, 

 while in 1910 the highest avernge yields on 3 farms were 54f and 53 bushels 

 per acre, securetl from Banner and Beseler Prolific, respectively. At 3 of the 4 

 centers in 1909 Irish seed gave higher grain yields than English seed, but the 

 straw yields were approximately equal. In a milling test Banner gave 67.7 per 

 cent of meal to grain and the Irish and English Waverly gave 63.3 and 58.8 

 per cent, resiiectively. Varieties of the grain producing type gave the higher 

 yield percentages and the larger amounts of meal per aci'e. 



Report on the experiments conducted by the German Potato-Culture Sta- 

 tion in 1910, C. voN EcKENBRECHER (Ztsclv. Spiritusindus., 1911, Sup., pp. 

 3-GO). — The results of experiments with 140 varieties of potatoes are tabulated 

 in detail and the performance record of each variety is described at length. 

 These varieties were tested on experiment fields located iu different sections of 

 the country. Attention is given to yield of tubers, starch content, resistance to 

 disease, and value for different purposes. 



The highest yields of tubers wore secured from the varieties Vater Rhein 

 and Jubelkartoffel, and the highest yields of starch from Lucya and Vater 

 Rhein. The varieties Schladen Ruhm and Agraria ranked highest in starch 

 content. 



Report on experiments with potatoes conducted in 1910 by F. Heine at 

 Kloster Hadmersleben, W. Oetken (Ztschr. Spiritusindus., 1911, Sup., pp. 

 6.5-75). — The results for the year are reported upon at some length and the 

 annual results secured since 1877 are summarized. 



During this entire period an average yield of 24,206 kilograms per hectare 

 of tubers, an average starch content of 18.41 i^er cent, and an average starch 

 yield per hectare of 4,456 kilograms were secured. A total of 1,388 varieties 

 was tested on 4,700 plats, exclusive of check plats. In the discussion of the 

 different varieties special reference is made to yielding capacity, starch con- 

 tent, period of maturity, and the value for culinary, feeding, and industrial 

 purposes. 



Varieties of potatoes utilized for manufacturing' starch, E. Pabow (Ztschr. 

 Spiritusindus., 33 (1910), Vo. ^7, p. U7 ; ahs. in Cliem. Ztg., 3', (1910), No. 133, 

 Bepert., p. oJ,6). — This article contains reports from 97 starch factories in re- 

 gard to the comparative starch yields from various kinds of potatoes. 



Analyses of potatoes grown in 1909 and 1910. J. F. Hoffmann (.Ztschr. 

 Sinritusindus., 1911, Sup., pp. 61-6.'f). — The results of experiments covering two 

 years, here reported in tabular form and discussed, point out that no one 

 variety was markedly superior to any other grown in the test. The respiration 

 exi:)erimeuts carried on in this connection showed that Up-to-date and Bar- 

 barossa were distinguished by good keeping quality. 



Some potato fertilizer tests, F. II. Hall (Neio York State Sta. Bui. 327, 

 popular ed., pp. .'(). — A popular edition of Bulletin .327 (E, S. R., 24, p. 540). 



