882 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



records of growth and flowering of the cotton plant in forecasting the ripening 

 of the cotton. 



"Bolly cotton" (Bur. of the Census [U. 8.] Bui. 125 {1913), p. iO).— This 

 article notes the increased quantity on the market of "bollies" (cotton from 

 partly opened bolls damaged by frost) due to devised machinery for handling 

 this product, which was formerly considered a loss by the growers. 



The work of the British Cotton Growing Association, J. A. Hxjtton (Brit. 

 Cotton Growing Assoc. [Pub.}, 51 (1914), pp- 72, pi. 1). — This Is a paper read 

 at the Third International Congress of Tropical Agriculture, held in London in 

 June, 1914. 



Cowpeas and soy beans, W. L. Nelson, A. T. Wiancko, M. L. Fisher, C. O. 

 Ckomee. and J. K. Weight (Missouri Bd. Affr. Mo. Bui., 12 (1914), ^o. 5, pp. 

 8-48, figs. 10). — This bulletin contains articles upon the production and uses 

 of cowpeas and soy beans by several authors, including the text of Indiana 

 Station Bulletin 172 (E. S. R., 31, p. 37). 



Esparto industry in Almeria Province, B. F. Yost (Daily Cons, and Trade 

 Rpts. [U. S.], 11 (1914), No. 165, pp. 306-308) .—This article describes esparto 

 (Stipa tenacissima) , its habitat, and the method of gathering and preparation, 

 baling, etc., for shipment to Great Britain for the manufacture of paper pulp. 



Guinea grass, H. O. Jacobson (Philippine Agr. Rev. [English Ed.], 1 (1914), 

 No. 5, pp. 211-215). — This article describes this grass (Panicum maximum') 

 and gives its chemical composition and cultural methods. It is noted that 

 yields at the Singalong Experiment Station in 1908 gave in four cuttings a 

 total of 21,543 kg. from 0.3 hectare (about 32 tons per acre), the total growing 

 period being 183 days. 



Sexual studies of the hop plant, J. Totjrnois (Ann. Soi, Nat. Bot., 9. ser., 

 19 (1914), A"o. 2-3, pp. 49-191, pis. 5, figs. 23).— A paper on the study of the 

 flower and the differentiation of the sexual elements, the fertilization and 

 formation of the embryo, and the formation and constitution of the fruit. 



A bibliography of SO titles is appended. 



Kafir score card, A. H. Weight (Oklahoma Sta. Circ. 35 (1914), pp. 4)' — 

 Score card with explanations of points for both head and grain exhibits is 

 given. 



Studies on oat breeding. — I, Variety tests, 1910—1913, F. M. Surface and 

 C. W. Barber (Maine Sta. Bui. 229 (1914), PP- 131-192, figs. 8).— This bulletin 

 describes methods employed in the field work and in the keeping of records In 

 variety tests with 34 varieties of oats covering the years 1910-1913 inclusive. 



" Of the 11 varieties which have been tested for all four years the Irish Victor 

 gave the best average yield (63.7 bu. per acre). The Imported Scotch, Lincoln, 

 and Prosperity averaged to yield at nearly the same rate. The Senator, a 

 horse-mane oat, with very coarse straw and large plump grains, gave the lowest 

 average yield (49.3 bu.). A study of the variation constants (standard devia- 

 tion and coefficient of variation) for the four-year period shows that the Victor 

 (a black oat) and the Imported Scotch were by far the least variable of any 

 of the varieties tested. 



" It is pointed out in this paper that the variation constants measure a very 

 Important character of a variety. A variety which will yield very highly under 

 favorable conditions but very poorly under unfavorable ones is not so desirable 

 in the long run as a variety which will yield moderately well under any of the 

 conditions that are likely to be met in any season. Further, the variation con- 

 stants and the probable errors calculated with their aid give a very desirable 

 measure of a series of tests. . . . 



" The Regenerated Swedish Select and the Victor gave the highest average 

 weight, about 41 lbs. per bushel. The Kherson and the Imix)rted Scotch gave 



