FIELD CROPS. 435 



Abstam. u. Vererbungslehre, 5 {1911), No. 1, pp. 38-57, pis. 2, fig. 1). — In a 

 general discussion of the origin of corn (Z. mays) as to whether it is a direct 

 descendant of Euchlama niexicana or was directly evolved from some member 

 of the tribe Andropogonese, the author holds that the traumatisms produced in 

 corn by smut indicate that it is descended from the Andropogonete. 



On injurious bacterial conditions in soils and on soil purification, R. 

 Emmerich, Wilhelm Graf zu Leiningen, and O. Loew (Centbl. Bakt. [etc.], 2. 

 Abt., 29 {1911), A"o. 23-25, pp. 668-683, figs. 2).— Under the head of injurious 

 bacterial conditions in soils the authors discuss the conditions under which 

 desulphurization, denitrification, and acid formation in soils occur, and give the 

 results of experiments with various species of bacteria that play a role in these 

 processes. 



Some bacteriological relations in soils kept under greenhouse conditions, 

 J. G. LiPMAN and I. L. Owen {New Jersey Stas. Rpt. 1909, pp. 211-222).— 

 Previously reported from another source (E. S. R., 24, p. 327). 



On nitrate and nitrite assimilation, O. Batjdisch {Ber. Deut. Chem. Oesell., 

 Ji-'t {1911), No. 8, pp. 1009-1013). — The author claims as a result of his investi- 

 gations that nitrate and nitrite assimilation by green plants is a light-chemical 

 process. 



International catalogue of scientific literature. R — Bacteriology {Inter- 

 nat. Cat. 8ci. Lit., 8 (1911), pp. VI 1 1 +636). —This, is in continuation of the 

 series of catalogues of scientific literature (E. S. R., 21, p. 728), the literature 

 indicated being mainly that of 1908. About 6,.500 titles are given, of which 

 less than 100 are to American publications. 



FIELD CROPS. 



[Tests of field crops], J. M. Scott {Florida 8ta. Rpt. 1910, pp. XVIII+ 

 XXIV). — The experimental data reported on Japanese cane have been already 

 noted (B. S. R., 24, p. 733). 



In a test of 8 corn varieties Georgia and Rawls produced the highest aver- 

 age yields, 20.06 and 18.2 bu. per acre, respectively. In a test of 20 varieties of 

 sorghum Nos. 22330 and 24130 produced the highest yields, 13.73 and 13.47 bu. 

 per acre, respectively. The seed distributed to the farmers of the State was 

 Goosenecli and Sumac " which have been proved to be good varieties for 

 Florida conditions." 



Two cuttings of guinea grass gave a total yield for the season of 3,759 lbs. 

 per acre of cured hay, while Para grass after an application of 37| lbs. of 

 dried blood, 75 lbs. acid phosphate, and 28 lbs. muriate of potash yielded 3,961 

 lbs. of cured hay per acre. 



In a test of 19 sweet potato varieties White Seedling No. 15 and Sugar Yam 

 No. 5 gave the highest yields per acre, 116.24 and 108.74 bu. per acre. Beard- 

 less barley and hairy vetch sown together for winter pasture made a better 

 growth than (1) Appier oats and English winter vetch, (2) crimson clover, or 

 (3) white-blooming crimson clover. 



Selected velvet bean seeds from which faulty and immature seeds had been 

 rejected produced 33.70 bu. of shelled beans per acre as compared with 28.37 

 bu. secured from unselected seed. On an acre used for continuous planting 

 the yield was only 1,137 lbs. of beans in the pod or 11.37 bu. of shelled beans. 

 The Lyon bean gave an average yield of 17.37 bu. per acre and api)ears to be 

 but little different from the velvet bean in feeding value. 



Among 110 varieties of cowpeas 12 " showed strong indications of being re- 

 sistant to both root-knot and wilt." An acre of ground planted to kudzu in 



