FIELD CROPS. 



231 



" At least three wild species of Avena under the influence of culture may ac- 

 quire characters fitting them for cultivation. These three species preserve the 

 ancestral characters by which they are adapted to different climates. A. fatua 

 gives rise to oats adapted to temperate and mountainous regions; A. sterilis, to 

 oats adapted to the southern countries, and to saline soils; A. harbata to races 

 adapted to dry countries." 



Influence of nitrates on the germinative period of oats, F. Plate (Atti. R. 

 Acoad. Lincei, Rend. CI. 8ci. Fis., Mut. e Nat., 5. ser., 22 {1913), II, Nos. 11, pp. 

 598-601 ; 12, pp. 728-7^3).— This reports the use of neutral electrolytes in sev- 

 eral series of experiments to determine their influence on oat seedlings. 



In the first series, nitrates of ciesium, rubidium, potassium, sodium, lithium, and 

 ammonium were used, made up into solutions of varying concentrations as follows : 

 N/50, N/100, N/200, N/400, N/800, N/1,600, and N/3,200. The plants grown in 

 the culture solutions were compared by weight with plants grown on moistened 

 filter with no other nourishment than that furnished by the seed. The oats were 

 taken at a certain stage of development, usually attained at the age of 15 days. 



Except in the case of rubidium the two highest concentrations of all the 

 cations produced a growth below the normal, and as a rule the development of 

 the plant increased as the strength of the nutrient solution decreased. Other 

 results are expressed as follows: As to weight of entire plant Rb>K>Na>Li> 

 Cs; in root growth Na>K>Rb>Li>Cs; in shoot growth Li>Na>K>Rb>Cs; 

 and in correlation in development Rb>K>Na>L>Cs. 



In the second sei-ies the nitrates of barium, calcium, strontium, magnesium, 

 zinc, cadmium, and mercury were used in water solutions. The general action 

 of this group upon the development of the oat seedling is expressed as follows : 

 As to weight of entire plant Ca>Sr>Zn>Ba>Mg, Cd, Hg; in root growth 

 Sr>Ca>Zn>Ba>Mg, Cd, Hg; in shoot growth Ca>Ba>Zn>Sr>Mg, Cd, Hg; 

 and in correlative growth Sr>Ca>Zn>Ba>Mg, Cd. Hg. 



Experiments with peanuts, A. C. Tonnelieb (Bol. Min. Agr. [Bu€)ws Aires], 

 15 {19 IS) No. 5, pp. 58G-589). — The results of seed selections at C6rdoba are 

 shown in the following table : 



Percentage of different sized pods from selected seed. 



Number of kernels per pod in seed. 



Kernels per pod in the harvest. 



4 kernels. 



3 kernels. 



2kemels. 



1 kernel. 



4 large, shelled before planting. 

 4 small, shelled before planting 

 3 large, shelled before planting. 

 1 large, shelled before planting. 

 1 small, shelled before planting 

 3 whole pods planted 



Per cent. 

 6.20 

 6.60 

 7.12 

 11.20 

 10.40 

 7.00 



Per cent. 

 49.70 

 45.35 

 47.40 

 48.20 

 48.60 

 47.60 



Per cent. 

 37.20 

 41.05 

 38.12 

 33.40 

 33.97 

 38.10 



Per cent. 

 6.90 

 7.00 

 7.36 

 7.20 

 7.03 

 7.30 



Potato culture {Idaho Sta. Bui. 19 {19U), pp. 61, figs, i^).— This bulletin 

 consists of four papers, and an introduction by W. L. Carlyle. 



Potato culture for northern Idaho, F. L. Kennard (pp. 5-16).— This paper 

 gives notes of culture, varieties, and marlieting and results of seed selections. 

 Selections from high-yielding hills gave better yields than those from low- 

 yielding hUls or from bulk selections, although the seed tubers used were of the 

 same weight and cut to the same size in each case. 



Potato culture under irrigation, J. S. Welch (pp. 17-27). — This paper gives 

 general directions for potato culture under irrigation under the soil and climatic 



