234 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The progressive development of the wheat kernel, R. W. Thatcher {Jour. 

 Amer. Soc. Agron., 5 (1913), No. 4, pp. 203-213, figs. 2). — ^A report of progress, 

 mostly dealing with methods. 



The results, presented in tables, show a fairly regular decrease of mineral 

 matter, ether extract, and fiber as the Ijernels develop. The percentage of pro- 

 tein decreased during the earlier periods of growth and later increased again. 



From actual weights in milligrams of material per kernel of Turkey and Blue 

 Stem wheats at successive stages of development it is showTi that regardless of 

 variations in the percentage produced by variations in the relative rate of gains 

 of the several constituents, there is a steady gain in the actual amount of each 

 of those materials in the kernel throughout the period of kernel formation. The 

 relative increase was greatest in the quantity of carbohydrate materials. 



" It became a matter of interest, then, to determine whether the statement by 

 Brenchley and Hall that the plant ' continually moves into the grain uniform 

 material . . . possessing always the same ratio of nitrogenous to nonnitroge- 

 nous materials and ash ' is substantiated by our results. We, therefore,^ calcu- 

 lated the amount of actual gain In material of the average kernel per day. 

 These data are surprising. On this account, we prefer to regard them as a 

 progress report, subject to later confirmation or modification of the conclusions 

 to be di-awn fi-om them. It appears to be quite clear that the composition of 

 the kernel when it is first formed, called by Brenchley and Hall the ' mould,' is 

 more highly nitrogenous than the material which is moved into it, at least 

 during the earlier stages of the filtering-in of the endosperm. But the ratio 

 of carbohydrates to protein in the material gained by the kernels in the later 

 periods of endosperm-filling seems to be lower than at earlier periods, just the 

 reverse of our former ideas based upon general conceptions of plant physio- 

 logical processes and the quantitative work of Deherain and Dupont. . . . 



" It appears from the progress of our work thus far. that the real facts with 

 reference to the conflicting opinions mentioned above are probably as follows : 

 Pericarp material, which in the first stages of development constitutes a com- 

 paratively large proportion of the kernel, is probably relatively richer in protein 

 than is endosperm material. Hence, any condition which results in increased 

 proportion of endosperm in the kernel is likely to produce low-protein grain." 



Influence of external conditions on heredity, C. Fruwirth {Ztschr. Pflan- 

 senzucht., 2 (1914) > No. 1, pp. 51-63). — As a result of 3-year trials with winter 

 and spring varieties of wheat, no direct influence due to planting the varieties 

 out of their respective seasons could be detected as inherited. A slight modifica- 

 tion in flavor and ripening time was observed, due, the author believes, to an 

 indirect influence of resulting variations in nourishment. 



Comparison of spikes in a mutation variety of wheat, N. Passekini (Bol. 

 1st. Agr. Scandicci, 2, ser., 7 (1913), No. 4, pp. 303-305, fig. i).— Two forms of 

 spikes are notetl and described, one bearded and the other smooth. 



Production of new varieties [of wheat] by crossing, N. Passerini (Bol. 

 1st. Agr. Scandicci, 2. ser., 7 (1913), No. 4, pp. 330-348, pis. 4).— This article 

 gives methods employed and some results in wheat breeding at Scandicci 

 since 1888. 



Some new or little-known oil seeds and oils (Bui. Imp. Inst. [So. Kensing- 

 ton'], 11 (1913), No. 4, pp. 559-574)- — The following are some seeds mentioned 

 as coming from the British tropical dependencies and being exploited for their 

 oil content : Carthamus tinctorius, which yielded 29.6 per cent of oil ; Amoora 

 rohituka, 43.5; Eruca sativa, 30.8; Calophyllum inophyllum, 71.4; Mesua ferrea, 

 49; Telfairia pedata, 62.9; Bassia latifoUa, from 45 to 55 per cent; and Aero- 

 oomia selerocarpa (grugru nuts and kernels) from Grenada 56.2 and from 

 Trinidad 57 per cent of oil. Other seedf* mentioned as containing oU of com- 



