730 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD. 



station is given with notes on experiments with cotton, corn, \A'heat, oats, cow- 

 peas, and sorghums. 



A marked increase in yield from the use of commercial fertilizers on 

 marsh land, J. Becker {Dent. Landiv. Presse, 34 {1901), 'So. 7, p. J/G, figs. Jf). — 

 The soil in question was a medium heavy reclaimed marsh soil which had re- 

 ceived a dressing of barnyard manure in 19C)2 and had been used since then 

 for pasturing young stocli. 



In 1905 a crop of oats was grown with different combinations of the follow- 

 ing quantities of fertilizers per hectare : 900 lig. of Thomas slag. 600 kg. of 

 Ivaiuit. 200 kg. of nitrate of soda, and 2,000 kg. of lime. With the use of all 

 these substances together there was a net profit of 97.30 marks per hectare. 

 When the lime was omitted the net profit was only 2.92 marks, and when any 

 one of the other substances was omitted there was a loss in each case. 



In 1906, when a crop of beans was grown, this same soil was given an appli- 

 cation of 900 kg. of Thomas slag, 200 kg. of 40 per cent potash salt, and 70 kg. 

 of nitrate of soda per hectare. The increase in the yield over the check test 

 was 1,643 kg. of beans and 1,-529 kg. of straw per hectare. The profit appar- 

 ently due to the use of the fertilizers amounted to 240.55 marks per hectare. 



The book of alfalfa, F. D. Coburn {Kew York: Orange Judd Co., 1906, pp. 

 336. p(j!<. 60). — This book is a treatise on alfalfa, discussing the history, culti- 

 vation, and merits of the crop, and pointing out its uses as forage and fei'tilizer. 

 Several chapters are devoted to the history, description, varieties, distribution, 

 and productiveness of alfalfa, following which the subjects of seed and seed 

 selection, cultivation, harvesting, and storing, and the uses of the crop for 

 pasture, soiling, and feeding in other ways, together with its value in beef 

 making, dairying, and other lines of animal husbandry are discussed. 



A feature of the book is a chapter presenting the practical experience of 

 alfalfa growers in 41 different States. 



Agaves, their culture and use, with special consideration of Agave 

 rigida var. sisalana, K. Braun {Pflanzer, 2 {1906), Nos. Uf, pp. 209-223; 

 15, pp. 225-240: 16-17, pp. 2-^1-257; 18, pp. 273-288; 19, pp. 289-304; 20, pp. 

 307-310). — A general discussion on the history and distribution of agaves is 

 given and a list of specimens is described. The greater part of the article is 

 devoted to Agave rigida var. sisalana and its climatic, soil, and cultural re- 

 quirements. The commercial importance of the fiber and the methods employed 

 in obtaining it are noted, and a bibliography of 2.34 references to articles and 

 works treating of this subject is appended. 



By what methods may brewing barley be improved? R. Bethge {Landw. 

 Wchnschr. Sachsen, 9 {1907) Nos. 1, pp. 3, 4; 2, pp. 11, 12; 3, pp. 20, 21; 4, pp. 

 31, 32, dgtn. 1). — This article discusses the improvement of barley for brewing 

 purposes in a certain section of Saxony, which now produces brewing barley 

 of good quality and high in yield, while from 25 to 30 years ago only small yields 

 and a poor quality of grain were secured. 



The method of carrying on the improvement woi'k is described, the principal 

 points sought after being given as color, form, and uniformity of kernel, yield 

 oT grain per head, fineness of glumes, high percentage of grain, small number of 

 nodes with long upper internodes, uniform strength in germination, low pi'otein 

 content of grain, accurate and systematic pedigree breeding, and improved 

 cultural methods. The work in the laboratory and the use of the plant 

 nursery in connection with breeding barley are also discussed. 



The use of potash in its relation to the quality of barley, E. Wein 

 (Ztschr. Gesaiu. Braitw., 29 {1906), No. 3, pp. 26; abs. in Centbl. Agr. Chem., 35 

 {1906), No. 12, pp. 811-815). — Experiments were conducted to determine whether 



