230 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD. 



was a steady increase in yield as tlie tliickness of tlie layer of soil above the 

 water table increased and that the rise of the water table at the end of the 

 summer caused a diminution of the crop. It is noted that " from the close 

 connection between the yield of cotton and the height of the water table found 

 in these cases, it seems probable that the latter is one of the most important 

 of the causes which determine the magnitude of the cotton crop." In irrigation 

 experiments " the rise of water in bore holes situated in the experimental plat 

 was usually about seven times the thickness of the layer applied to the land." 



The effect of water on the cultivation of cotton, H. E. Hurst and Hughes 

 (Survey Dept. Egypt Paper 31 {1913), pp. 23, pis. 3, figs. 2). — In a further 

 .study on the effect of water on cotton In Egypt (see above), experiments in 

 irrigation showed that "on land where the level of the subsoil water was low 

 the yield of cotton increased as the amount of water applied to the land in- 

 creased, though there were signs of a maximum yield having been reached. 

 On the other hand, the maturing of the cotton was delayed by increase of the 

 water applied." 



Some defects in Crotalaria seeds used in Deli, J. A. Honing (Meded. Deli- 

 Proefstat. Medan, 1 {1912), No. 9, pp. 395-418, figs. 2).— The tests indicated 

 that Crotalaria seeds seldom germinate more than 50 per cent; that mold 

 readily attacks the seed in germination; that hard-coated seeds reach to 43 

 per cent or even to 70 per cent if the seeds are dried ; that there is a correla- 

 tion between color and hardness of seed coat, light colored seeds being harder 

 than dark colored ones ; and that C. striata seed consists of a mixture of seeds 

 of varying colors and degrees of hardness. 



Green manuring with sanai in Bihai% A. and G. L. C. Howaed (In The Im- 

 pavement of Indigo in Bihar. Calcutta, 1914, pp. 26-28, pi. 1). — Experiments 

 with sanai {Crotalaria juncea) as a green manure for tobacco in the botanical 

 area at Pusa have shown that drainage is essential to success on the highlands. 

 To get the maximum benefit it is noted that the interval between the plowing 

 in of the sanai and the transplanting of the tobacco should be 8 weeks. A 

 longer or shorter time would lead to loss. 



Fertilizer experiment with flax, F. Windiesch {Dent. Landw. Presse, 41 

 {1914), No. 10, p. 116, fig. 1). — In these tests a complete fertilizer (500 kg. 

 Thomas slag. 500 kg. kainit, and 100 kg. ammonium sulphate per hectare) gave 

 greater yields than any two forms only, and also gave the greatest length of stem, 

 105 em., in comparison with 70, 80, and 90 cm. by the use of a one-sided fer- 

 tilizer. 



Eight-year variety tests of horse beans, A. Ziffer {Arb. Deut. Landw. 

 Oesell., No. 249 {1913), pp. 153). — Results of variety tests conducted in various 

 centers in Germany from 1905-1912 are reported. 



New researches with oats, Denaiffe and Sirodot {Jour. Agr. Prat., n. ser., 

 21 {1914), No. 4, pp. 111-114, figs. 5). — Historical and descriptive sketches are 

 given of several varieties of oats classed under side oats and hull-less oats or 

 " naked oats." 



Origin of cultivated oats, L. Trabut {Jour. Heredity, 5 {1914), No. 2, pp. 

 74-85, figs. 10). — A study is reported of the following points: Whether a differ- 

 ence in ancestry has a vital bearing on the adaptability of varieties, forms 

 derived from Avena sterilis best suited to southern countries, possibilities of 

 hybridization, indications that environment is a factor in causing variation, 

 and the influence of culture and the results of mutations which include A. 

 sterilis segetalis, A. sterilis maxima, A. sterilis calvescens, A. sterilis pseudo- 

 vilis, A. sterilis hyzantina, A. sterilis parallela, A. sterilis algeriensis, A. sterilis 

 culta, A. sterilis ludotnciana, A. sativa, A. fatua, A. hyhrida, A. stiHgosa, A. 

 barbata, A. brevis, and A. abyssinica. 



