226 EXPEKIMENT STATION RECORD. 



New work on. methods for variety tests, D. Lehn {Bl. Zuckerrilhenbau, 20 

 (1913), Nos. 3, pp. 33-39; 4, pp. 52-55).— This is a discussion of the application 



-vs 



of the formula v — ± -^j- — r- (E. S. R.. 30, p. 33). and other formulas in cal- 

 culating the probable experimental error in variety tests, and similar experi- 

 ments. 



The Hamilton County Experiment Farm. — Second annual report, for the 

 year 1913 {Ohio Sta. Bui. 272 (19U), pp. 263-276, flg. i).— In this bulletin is 

 described the plan of management of this county experiment farm, and some 

 results are given of tests to determine the present state of soil fertility. This 

 involves a rotation of corn, soy beans, wheat, and clover with fertilizer appli- 

 cations that included chemical fertilizers, yard manures, and shed manures. 

 It is noted that " at the computed prices the cost of treatment has in most cases 

 iteen greater than the vahie of the increase. This, however, has not been an 

 unexpected outcome, as the first application of fertilizers or manure is largely 

 absorbed by the soil, and it is not until the treatment is repeated that its full 

 effect is manifest." 



Results of variety tests with corn, oats, and soy beans as grain crops, and 

 of silage corn are given, and comparisons made with results in other counties 

 of the State. Yields of soy beans, cowpeas, rape, and millet as forage crops are 

 given for Hamilton County. 



[Report of] the professor of field husbandry and director of field experi- 

 ments, C. A. Zavitz {Ann. Rpt. Ontario Agr. Col. and Expt. Farm, 88 {1912), 

 pp. 112-170). — In addition to notes on the soil and climatic conditions, the 

 author gives general results of continuous gi'owth for from 18 to 24 years of 

 each of 34 varieties of farm crops that include cereals, root crops, and legumes. 



It is noted that the influence of seed selection has been shown in the increased 

 yields by the use of large, plump seed. Especially was this marked in the case 

 of oats. 



[Field crop experiments] {Rpt. Agr. Dept. St. Vincent, 1912-13, pp. 5-10). — 

 Results of seed selection, hybridization, and cultural experiments with cotton, 

 and cultural experiments with arrowroot, cassava, and sugar cane are given. 



Further experiences with the use of so-called stimulants, A. Sttjtzeb 

 {Deut. Landiv. Presse. 41 {1914), No. 1, pp. 1, 2, figs. 2). — After discussing simi- 

 lar woi-k by English and German investigators the author gives rtsults of his 

 own with sugar beets, previously noted (E. S. R., 30, p. 529). In water cultures 

 with maize 0.5 gm. of lead nitrate per liter of nutrient solution seemed to be 

 the optimum amount to stimulate growth, although 1, 2. and 0.25 gm. per liter 

 were tried. 



Effect of kainit and forty per cent potash salt as a top-dressing for fall 

 and spring' cereals, A. Stutzer (ZtscJir. Landw. Kanimer Schlssien, 18 {1914), 

 No. 7, pp. 278-280). — The results of seven experiments are here given in which 

 the 40 per cent potash salt seemed to be the more efficient. 



Straw as a fertilizer under various conditions, A. Bischoff {Jour. Landw., 

 62 {1914), No. 1, pp. 1-95, pis. 5). — In pot experiments conducted at Gottingen 

 chopped straw was turned under shallow and deep at 10 weeks, 4 weeks, and 

 immediately before planting in both sand and clay soils. Mustard and buck- 

 wheat were gro^Ti. 



From his observations the author concludes that on sandy soil the use of 

 straw practically always was followed by a smaller yield of dry matter and of 

 nitrogen, and that the injurious effect of the straw was less in the presence of 

 sodium nitrate. When deeply covered it seemed to have an injurious effect on 

 the yield of nitrogen. The shallow straw application just before seeding was 

 always more injurious than the others, while the deep straw application was 



