FIELD CROPS. 433 



Brief directions for farm selection of cotton seed to improve the crop are 

 given. 



The feeding- of cotton, H. C. White (Georgia Sta. Bui. 108 (1914), pp. 129- 

 144)- — This bulletin gives results of four years' investigation of the composition 

 of the cotton plant at four stages of development during the seasons of 1910- 

 1913, inclusive. 



Determinations were made of the nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur, potassium, 

 calcium, magnesium, ash, and dry matter content for each period. 



" Notvpithstanding the seasonal differences, which were such as usually obtain 

 in this region, the results for the four successive years exhibit marked agree- 

 ment. The weight of di*y matter of the plant in different periods varied some- 

 what from year to year, as did also the yield of crop. But the feeding habit of 

 the plant for the mineral foods remained approximately uniform. In only one 

 case is a somewhat wide divergence shown — that of sulphur in 1913. . . . 



" Stated roughly, approximately one-third of the total plant food is taken 

 during the first period of 30 days in the life of the plant, terminating with 

 the setting of the first form ; a second third is taken during the second period 

 of 30 days terminating with the formation of the first bloom; by the termin 

 tion of the third period of 60 days, with the opening of the first boll, 85 to 90 

 per cent will have been taken, leaving only 10 to 15 per cent to be added during 

 the ripening and maturing period of 90 to 100 days. Of the total dry matter of 

 the plant, however, approximately only one-eighth Is produced during the first 

 period ; another eighth during the second period ; one-fourth during the third 

 period ; and one-half during the maturing i)eriod. 



" It may be stated that examination of plants growTi in the usual manner in 

 rows 4 ft. apart and plants 12 to 10 in. apart in the row, the cultivation and 

 fertilization being as above recorded, gave results in general agreement with 

 those above reported. The main differences were in the amount of dry matter 

 produced, that is, the weights of the individual plants, which were generally 

 less for the closely spaced plants than for those more widely apart." 



A new system of cotton culture and its application, O. F. Cook ( U. S. Dept. 

 Agr., Fanners' Bui. 601 (1914), PP- 12, figs. 2). — A description of this new 

 system of cotton culture, which is based upon the principle of controlling the 

 formation of the branches, has already been noted (E. S. R., 28, p. 832). 



Results of additional experiments show an increase in yield due to the new 

 system of 35 per cent in the first picking and 26 per cent in the second picking. 

 No adverse effect on the lint was observed. 



The classification and grading of cotton, D. E. Eaele and W. S. Dean ( JJ. S. 

 Dept. Agr., Farmers' Bui. 591 (1914), pp. 23, figs. 16).— This describes the 

 standard grades of cotton established by this Department, with, suggestions as 

 to cotton handling and grading. 



As factors influencing the grade of cotton, leaf, dirt, sand, motes, neps, gin- 

 cut or stringy fiber, cut seed, and color are discussed. Directions for grading 

 samples by comparing with official standards are given, likewise a comparison 

 of American and European standards. Grade characteristics of Gulf, Upland, 

 and Texas growth, and the relative values of different grades and different 

 lengths are also discussed. 



Helianthus, M. Rati (Illus. Landw. Ztg., 34 (1914), No. 21, pp. 209, 210).— 

 In giving results of comparative tests the author shows the artichoke to be 

 superior to the potato as a forage crop, as it requires less labor to plant and 

 cultivate, yields more heavily in tubers and straw, is of higher food value, and 

 the tubers have a greater frost resistance. 



Grown on adjoining plats and with similar cultural treatment artichokes and 

 potatoes analyzed as follows: Water 74.48 and 71.52 per cent, fat 0.08 and 0.12, 



