FIELD CHOPS. 831 



(lOlJf), No. 2, pp. 189-232, figs. 5). — This discusses a method previously applied 

 to tests with stock beets (E. S. R., 31, p. 736), and now used in computing 

 comparative values in cereal tests. 



This metliod advocates the use of at least five check plats, and bases selec- 

 tion upon accurate numerical measurements of characters combined with care- 

 ful biological observations. Its application is demonstrated In the results 

 obtained in practical breeding experiments with several pure lines of wheat. 

 The field experimental work and the mathematical calculations of these 

 experiments are fully described. 



Alfalfa {Agr. Gaz. Canada, 1 (19 U), No. Jf, pp. 285-302, figs. 6).— Cultural 

 methods and tests of varieties of alfalfa grown are reported by J. B. Daggett 

 for New Brunswick, L. S. Klinck and H. Nagant for Quebec, H. J. Moorhouse 

 for Manitoba, S. E. Greenway and J. Brackseu for Saskatchewan, H. A. Craig 

 for Alberta, and W. T. McDonald for British Columbia. 



Strains of the Grimm variety are noted as being especially successful. 



Alfalfa hybridization, W. Southwokth (Jour. Heredity, 5 (1914), No. 10, 

 pp. 4-iS-Jf57, figs. 3). — The results of several years of study and hybridization 

 to improve alfalfa are summed up as follows: 



" Alfalfa apparently does not seed freely in absence of suitable insects to 

 insure fertilization of the the flowers. Wild bees of the Megachile species seem 

 to be most effective in insuring fertilization. Alfalfa flowers are not self- 

 sterile and may be artificially self-fertilized with good results. Black me- 

 dick is capable of self-fertilization and produces seed freely even when insects 

 are prevented gaining access to the flowers. 



" In the practice of hybridization of alfalfa better results are obtained by 

 working on mature flowers than by operating on flower buds. The cross be- 

 tween alfalfa and black medick is effected only with considerable difficulty 

 and prolonged effort is essential to warrant success. In the Fi generation 

 hybrids the plants were variable and usually greatly different from either 

 of the parental forms. A study of the progeny of F3 generation revealed a 

 tendency to mendelian segregation both in height of plant and habit of 

 growth, but further study is necessary to confirm these points." 



The farmers' alfalfa guide, J. R. M. Boyd (Columbus^ Ohio, 1914, PP- 4^, 

 figs. 7). — A booklet of questions and answers covering alfalfa culture and based 

 upon the author's experience. 



Buckwheat, H. G. MtrNDY {Rhodesia Agr. Jour., 11 {1914), No. 5, pp. 739- 

 744, pi. 1). — This article gives results of variety tests, including six selections 

 of buckwheat in which the yield ranged from 664 to 2,048 lbs. per acre. 



The effect of soil conditions on the tassels of maize, F. S. Haeeis {Science, 

 n. ser., 40 {1914), No. 1023, pp. 215, 216).— From work carried on at the Utah 

 Experiment Station to study the effect of soil factors on plants the author pre- 

 sents data on the com plant to show that the number of branches per tassel is 

 affected by the conditions of the soil and that there is a close relationship 

 between the tassel branches and number of ears produced. 



Tests made with nitrate fertilizers on maize, G. C Dudgeon {Agr. Jour. 

 Egypt, 4 {1914), No. 1, pp. 55-60). — This paper records results showing the 

 general superiority of nitrate of soda over cyanamid or nitrate of lime in the 

 production of maize in four different localities in Egypt. 



Maize culture, A. H. E. McDonald {Dept. Agr. N. S. Wales, Farmers' Bui. 

 78 {1914), pp. 3-88, figs. 38). — Methods of production employed in New South 

 Wales with the corn crop are reported. 



Mechanical cotton plants, W. L. Balls {Cairo Sci. Jour., 8 {1914), No. 93, 

 pp. 135-137). — This article discusses the value of curves derived from daily 



