FIELD CROPS. 135 



, In a comparison of tho flooding and t'nrrow system of irrigiition in ^vowing 

 whoat, the furrowod t-rop received a deptii of 1.705 ft. of walei- and yielded 

 2.142 lbs. (if jjrain lo the acre, and tlie Hooded tract received 1.42 ft. of water 

 and yielded 2.()!t.'! llts. These expei'iiiieiits dn])licated with oats resulted in a 

 hetter yield from lloodiiii,'. Kn))anka macaroni wheat received l.Sn ft. of water 

 and yielded 1,548 lbs.; Velvet Don, 1.84 ft. of water and yielded 1,274 llis., and 

 Polish, receivin.i; 2 ft. of water, yielded 1.:}7S lbs. of grain. 



Investigations on the drying of grain, with, especial reference to barley, 

 L. KiESSLiNo (]')lljsclir. liaiicr, Ltnidir. hUtt.. 11 iVJIU't). \<i. I. i>i>. 13~ 

 137). — Similar work by other investigators is reviewed, and tlie anthor's 

 residts are shown in tables and are discussed at length. 



Barley of good germinating capacity, when dried under temjieratures r.anging 

 from .'U to !)8° C, was reduced in germinative power, the greater reductions 

 being shown in connection with the higher temperatures and the longer periods 

 of drying. Of these two factors the temperature exerted the greater influence. 

 A gradual heating was less injurious than a sudden rise of temperature in 

 the barh>y. The germinative energy was more subject to the influence of heat 

 than the germinative ability, and for this reason the number of sprouted 

 kernels is not considered as a criteriim of their viabilit.v, as many of them do 

 not live. It is also stated that drying at high temperatures atTects the develop- 

 ment of the embryo. 



Other grains, low in germinative abilit.v, were in some cases imi)roved by 

 heating, but otherwise the effects were the same as with barle.v. The author 

 points out that on account of the individuality of the seed and the variation 

 in the methods of drying, the data secured in experiments of this kind do not 

 warrant a definite general application. 



Tests were also made to study the effect of drying on the germination of 

 inunature barley. Immediately after harvesting barley germinates poorly, 

 but it improves from day to day, and generally after having been properly 

 stored for about two months it reaches its maximum germinative ability. The 

 water content of the barle.v kernel did not seem to influence the rapidity of ger- 

 mination, and when the moisture in the grain was prevented from evaporating 

 its gernnnative energy was, nevertheless, improved by storing, but this improve- 

 ment was slower than when the air had access to the stored grain. Exposing 

 the kernels to the rays of the sun also improved the germinative power, and 

 storing for a time in the heads was similarly beneficial. The germinative 

 quality of grain from different varieties, in the same conditions of rijieness 

 and age, varied considerably. 



The results of other experiments are regarded as indicating clearly that 

 immediate thrashing after harvesting is likely to reduce the germinative 

 (luality of barley, and that it is best to store the crop in the sheaf for several 

 months. 



Artificial drying further proved beneficial in retarding fungus growth on 

 the grain. A high water content in barley before drying and a high drying 

 temperature reduced the viabilit.v of the siirouted grain, iirincipally in those 

 kernels which were the first to germinate. The general conclusion is drawn 

 that while artificial drying promotes the rapidity of germination it may also 

 reduce the germinative ability, that the cairing of bai'le.v by going through the 

 sweating process while in storage can not be rejilaced by artifici.al heating, 

 and that fresh material under the application of heat nuist be handled with 

 care, if serious injury is tcTbe avoided. 



Preservation of the ability of seeds to germinate, A. Mayek (Joki: Landic, 

 54 {lUOO), ^o 1, i)i>, oi-oli), — An account of an experiment i . which seed of 



