FIELD CEOPS. 737 



the tops. Sodium nitrate or barnyard manure as fertilizers did not appreciably 

 increase tlie sodium content of tlie roots, but large quantities were found in the 

 tops. No increase in the chlorin content of the roots could be detected whether 

 it was furnished in potassium salts or in barnyard manure, but it was found 

 in the tops. The ash content was not noticeably Influenced by fertilizers. 



Nitrogenous fertilizers are not deemed favorable to sugar production. Appli- 

 cations of nitrate of soda reduced the sugar content 0.14 per cent and ammonia 

 salt 0.08 per cent, while lime nitrogen was without effect. 



Experiment on the development of sugar in beets, M. Levallois (Bui. 

 Assoc. Chim. Sucr. et Distill., 31 {WW, No. 11, pp. 903-909).— Analyses of 

 beets taken at intervals during the second season's growth (the seed producing 

 stage) showed a general decline in sugar content from April 15 (18.7 per cent) 

 to December 10 (2..37 per cent). 



Handling- and planting of seed cane, A. P. Adeiano (Philippine Agr. and 

 Forester, 3 (1914), No. 2, pp. 41-49). — This article gives results of experiments 

 in cultural methods with some Philippine varieties of cane. 



In comparing the methods of planting cane slanting or flat in the furrow 

 it was found that flat planting gave the best results, being less subject to any 

 injury and better withstanding drought. Cane planted 50 cm. (19.5 in.) in rows 

 1* meters (59 in.) apart gave heavier yields, 32,857 kg. per hectare (14.62 tons 

 per acre) than when planted 30 cm. in rows 60 cm. apart (18,571 kg.). 



A test in planting tops, middles, and butts of the cane showed that " tops 

 may be grown successfully when planted at once after cutting even if not soaked 

 at all. In all the tests made tops which were not soaked in water and those 

 soaked in water did better than the other thirds of the cane. Butts may be 

 planted to advantage if soaked in water for 48 hours." 



A depth of 12 in. in planting gave better results than that of 6 in. 



Report of experiment of the Banjumas division of the experiment station 

 of the Java sugar industry for 1913 (Arch. Hnikcrindus. Nederland. Indie, 

 22 {1914), No. 13, pp. 441-498, pis. 3; Meded. Proefstat. Java-Suikerindus., 4 

 (1914), No. 21, PI). -'/iJ--i67, pU. 3). — This contains results with sugar cane as to 

 yields and quality of sugar with different fertilizers on several classes of soil. 



The cultivation of the sugar cane in southern Spain (Roy. Bot. Oard. Kew, 

 Bui. Misc. Inform., No. 4 {1914), PP- i-i7-i50, fly. 1). — This article suggests 

 variety and cultural methods for that region. 



Queensland sugar industry (Brishane: Govt., 1913, new ed., pp. 172, pi. 1, 

 figs. 109). — This book gives cultural methods and general notes on cost of pro- 

 duction and manufacture, including statistics. 



Sudan grass as a forage crop, H. N. Yinall ( V. S. Dept. Agr., Fanners' Bui. 

 605 (1914), pp. 20, figs. 10). — This bulletin describes Sudan grass, discusses 

 climatic and soil requirements, gives methods of culture and harvest, and notes 

 its usefulness as a hay, soiling, silage, and pasture crop, its value in irrigated 

 sections and as a seed crop, enemies, and methods of breeding. 



" The yields vary from 1 to 8 tons of cured hay per acre. Its seed hab- 

 its are good, and large returns are now being secured from the seed pro- 

 duced. The seed of Sudan grass resembles very closely that of Johnson grass; 

 therefore farmers should use seed only from regions free from Johnson grass. 

 It promises to fill a long-felt want for a hay grass in the South, and will likely 

 replace millets as a catch crop in the Central and Eastern States. It does not 

 do well in sections having a high altitude, because the nights are generally cool. 

 There seems to be a place for it in irrigated regions as a forage to mix with 

 alfalfa hay. Chinch bugs and grasshoppers, among insects, and the red-spot 

 disease are its greatest enemies." 



