FIELD CROPS. 137 



The influence of insufficient potash in the soil on the growth of Phaseolus 

 vulgaris- nanus, von Seeliiokst (Ztsclir. rHaiizciikniiik., 16 {190(>), A'o. i. pp. 

 2-J). — Oliservations were made on a series of different crops and it was found 

 that cereals were not much benefited by a larf^e supply of potash in the soil, 

 while beets and potatoes, and especially lej^miiincms crops, particularly this 

 species of Phaseolus, made a much better growth when the supply of potash 

 was large. Where the beans were grown for a number of years on a soil rich 

 in potash, the lower yields secured from year to year showed that the available 

 potash compounds were being reduced. Of all the crops under experiment beans 

 were the most sensitive to lack of i)otash in the soil. 



Alsike clover, II. A. Morgan and M. .Tacou (Tennessee Sta. Bill., Vol. XVIII, 

 Xo. ■?. pp. ,.^.i-.37. //,'/. J). — The failure of red clover and the use of alsike as a 

 substitute for this crop is discussed, and general notes on the history and value 

 of alsike clover, together with directions for its culture and its use for hay and 

 pasture, are given. 



Correlation in fodder beets, II. Rriem (FHIiHih/'s Litnilir. Zti/.. .5.7 (1906), 

 .\o. 7. PI). 2.'f6-2o3). — The results of different investigators of this sultject are 

 brought together and discussed. 



The data presented indicate that of 100 Mammoth fodder beets weighing from 

 400 to GOO gm. each, 25 specimens contained 9 per cent of sugar ; of those weigh- 

 ing from (iOO to 800 gm., 28 contained 8 per cent of sugar ; and those weighing 

 from 800 to 1,000, 1,000 to 1,200, and 1,200 to 1,G00 gm., 39, 31, and .39 individual 

 beets, respectively, contained 7 per cent of sugar. In each case the largest num- 

 ber of beets of a uniform sugar content is presented. It is further shown that 

 with the increase in weight of the beet the percentage of sugar decreases, but 

 that the absolute amount of sugar in the beet increases. In experiments made 

 by Alaas beets weighing from 800 to 1,000 gm. contained 58.08 gm. of sugar, or 

 6.42 per cent, while beets weighing over 2,000 gni. contained 111.3t), or 4.80 per 

 cent. 



The relation of variety- to sugar content was studied by Wohltmann in a series 

 of storage experiments, in which he found differences in the loss of sugar while 

 the beets were in the silo varying from 60 to 20 per cent. In selecting for 

 breeding purposes the same author found that of 6,115 individual beets of the 

 most conmion varieties, 26 per cent of the Mammoth beets, 15 per cent of the 

 Oberndorf, and 5 per cent of the Eckendorf contained 8 per cent of sugar. 



AVith reference to the relation of the quantity of leaf produced to the siigar 

 content of the beet, Maas concluded from his work that the weight of leaf matter 

 is primarily dependent upon the variety. He found that the percentage of leaf 

 weight decreased as the size of the beet increased, but that the absolute weight 

 of leaf inci-eased. The thickness of the leaf also increased with the weight of 

 the beet. In thick beets the same amount of leaf produced much more sugar 

 than in thin individuals. A strong development of the stalks was unfavorable 

 to the i)roduction of sugar. The results further showed that a high sugar con- 

 tent is corr«>late(l with early maturity and a thick leaf. 



The hop and its constituents, edited by A. C. Chapman (London: The lireir- 

 ing Trade Revieir. IDdo, pp. 90, pis. 10. flijH. 3). — In this monograph on the hop 

 plant the topics discussed, treated l)y different authors, include the physical 

 characteristics of a good hop, fertilization and cross fertilization of the plant, 

 the manuring of the crop, the cold storage of hops, the essential oil. the bitter 

 substances and resins of hops, h()|) alkaloids, and the part played by hop tannin 

 in brewing. 



Oat experiments, II. P.. (tRKIg and .1. IIendrick (Aberdeen and Xo. of Seot. 

 Col. Af/r. Bill. 6. pp. 2S). — The leading grain-producing varieties in comparative 

 tests were Banner, Thousand Dollar, Newmarket, and Siberian. The older local 



