FIELD CROPS. 333 



even though the yellow color may be obscured by black, and in such cases it is 

 noted the yellow factor becomes an awn factor. 



As an alternative explanation of "the apiiearance of yellow color and awn- 

 lessness in oats the author suggests the possible presence of two distinct but 

 accompanying factors. 



On the continuous violet colored seed of Pisum arvense, B. Kajanus 

 (FuJilitvfs Landw. Ztg., 62 (1913), Nos. 5, pp. 153-160; 2.'t, pp. 8.'/9-953 ) .—Ex- 

 periments in crossing field peas having more or less of a violet color in the seeds 

 or pods did not result in any regular increase in the amount of colored surface 

 or in establishing any uniformity in this color factor. 



Report on the influence of different quantities of potash fertilizer on the 

 yield and starch and protein content of potatoes, C. von Eckenbrecheb and 

 F. F. IIoii'MAN (Ztschr. Spirit usindu)^., I'JlJf, Eiglinzungsh., pp. 60-4i6). — Areas 

 were fertilized with single (300 kg. per hectare or 2G7 lbs. per acre) and double 

 (600 kg.) applications of potash salt. Results with several varieties at 7 cen- 

 ters showed both plus and minus yields over untreated areas, but a general 

 average increase with the use of potash. There was a decrease in starch con- 

 tent that was greater with the larger applications, while the protein content 

 increased in some varieties and decreased in others. 



The selection and treatment of potato seed, J. T. Ramsay (Jour. Dcpt. Agr. 

 Victoria, 12 (1914), A'o. 2, pp. 73-75, fig. 1). — A method of selection which se- 

 cures the use of immature tubers for seed tubers is described. The results of 

 this system are noted as showing an increase of from 30 cwt. to 5 tons of tubers 

 per acre. Sprouting the tubers before planting gave increased yields and other 

 advantages, including the opportunity to reject weaklings. 



Report of the German Potato Culture Station in 1913, C. vox Ecken- 

 BUECiiER {Ztschr. HiiirituKindii!^.. 191^, Ergdnzuiigsh., pp. 3-59). — Results are 

 reported of testing 21 varieties of potatoes in 32 different fields. Starch con- 

 tents ranged from 16 to 19.S per cent, yield i>er hectare from 17,940 to 34,510 

 kg., and yield of starch from 3,270 to G.5~)0 kg. per hectare. 



Notes on the culture of sisal in English and German East Africa, P. 

 JANSSENS (Bui. Agr. Congo Beige, 4 (1913), No. 4, pp. 905-918, figs. i2).— This 

 describes cultural and manufacturing methods. The weights of 100 leaves in 

 tho various Provinces of English East Africa are noted to be from 82 to 127 kg. 

 (ISO to 279 lbs.), and the weights of fiber per 100 leaves from 2.3 to 3.6 kg. 



The grain sorghums: Immigrant crops that have made good, C. R. Ball 

 (U. 8. Dept. Agr. Yearbook 1913, pp. 221-238, pis. 7, figs. S).— In this article 

 the author describes the introduction of grain sorghums into the United States, 

 their usefulness as drought resisters, brings out their economic and commercial 

 values for the arid and semiarid sections of the country, which include statis- 

 tics on value and acreage, and gives characteristics of the durras, Kafir corn, 

 and milo maize. 



Soy beans. — An important "Wisconsin crop, R. A. Mooee and E. J. Del- 

 wiCHE (Wisconsin Sta. Bui. 236 (1914), pp. 3-20, figs. 6).— This bulletin con- 

 tains cultural notes on the soy bean crop as grown in Wisconsin and dis- 

 cusses uses to which the crop may be put. 



Data show yields of several varieties covering a period from 1902-1913, 

 inclusive. Pedigreed Early Black soy beans gave an average yield for the 3 

 years, 1911-1913, ranging from 11 to 18.2 bu. per acre. 



Cultural experiments with sugar beets, A. Demolon (Bui. Assoc. Chim. 

 8ucr. et Distill., 31 (1914), ^o. 8, pp. 576-582) .—Part of this paper is devoted 

 to the discussion of the use of large or small areas as experimental plats. 



In giving results of experiments to study the formation of sugar in beets it 

 is noted that the individual root weight and actual sugar content continued to 



