634 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



potash exerted n smaller influence on the albuminoid content. Sn.s:ar and starch 

 showed but little v.iriation. The auiids increased with the use of each of the 

 four substances. Chlcirid of ])otash was most effective in this respect, while the 

 sulphate stood next in influence to nitrate of soda and sulphate of ammonia. 

 Through the action of each of these substances the cellulose content was de- 

 creased, chlorid of potash causing the greatest and sulphate of potash the small- 

 est decrease. 



Solanum commersoni, L. Bussard {.Jour. Agr. Prat., n. Her., 12 {1906), No. 

 J/9, i)[). 711-713). — A violet strain of Holanum commersoni was compared with 

 Giant Blue potato and the results showed that the »S'. commersoni variety gave 

 a yield (U per cent greater than the Giant Blue. In other tests here discussed 

 the yielding capac-ity was also in favor of »Sf. commersoni. In one experiment 

 a i)lant of this strain. i)lanted, August 15, had produced 000 gm. of tubers I)y 

 October l.'). 



Breeding seedling varieties of sugar cane by means of crossing and 

 chemical selection, J. D. Kop.us {Meclcd. Proefstat. Oost-Java, Jf. ser., 1907, No. 

 29, pp. 13l-l.'t3). — Experiments were made with the varieties Cheribon and Chun- 

 nee, canes of high and of low sugar content of both varieties being crossed in 

 different combinations. 



The results indicated that in the heavy plants secured from the high sugar 

 content parents, as well as those secured from the low sugar content parents, 

 the dilTerence in sugar content was about equal to the average difference of all 

 plants in both groups. The seedlings highest in sugar and descending from 

 parents with a high sugar content were heavier than those coming from the low 

 sugar content group. It was further observed that the seedlings of a high sugar 

 content coming from selected plants high in sugar were much more numerous 

 than the seedlings from selected low sugar content parents. This showed that 

 the chances of obtaining seedlings high in sugar content are three times as great 

 in using high sugar content parents as in using low sugar content parents. 



The sugar-cane experiment station, T. F. Sedgwick {Estac. Expt. Cana 

 Azuciir [Pcni^ lioU. 1. 2. 3, '/. pp. Ji2, pis. J,). — The first bulletin in this collec- 

 tion describes the general working plan of the station, the second points out the 

 technical management of sugar-cane plantations in Peru, the third presents a 

 detailed plan of the lines of work undertaken, and the fourth rei)orts the results 

 of observations on the seed production of sugar cane. The results secured show 

 that seedless canes stand higher in sugar content and purity than seed-producing 

 canes. 



Saving the sweet potato crop, G. W. Carver {Alabama Tuskegee Sta. Bid. 

 10, pp. Ill, pgs. ()). — Observations made on the methods of storing sweet pota- 

 toes indicate that potatoes dug and banked after a long dry period generally 

 kept well, while those dug and banked after and during a rainy season almost 

 without exception kept poorly. It was also observed that if potatoes were cut 

 or broken and the milky juice turned to a dark gi'eenish color when dried in 

 the air they kept poorly, but if the juice dried white and the injury showed a 

 tendency to heal over they kept well. 



Directions for harvesting and storing a crop are given. To store sweet pota- 

 toes successfully it is recommended that the plants be set out as early in th? 

 spring as late frosts permit, to house or bank the crop only when thoroughly 

 ripe, and to avoid all injury in harvesting. 



Technical bulletin on the cultivation of tobacco, A. Splendore {Bol. Tec. 

 Coltir. Tahavchi \Scafati], .5 {190U). No. J,-5, pp. 172, pis. .59).— Several types 

 of tobacco and a long list of varieties are described. Abstracts of experiments 

 with tobacco by a nmnber of investigators are given, and the results of inves- 

 tigations at the Royal Experiment Station at Scafati are reported. 



