FIELD CROPS. 33 



Eighteen years' culture trials with root crops, L. Helweg (Tidsskr. Landhr. 

 Plantcacl, 18 {Id 11), No. 5, pp. 61,5-618, figs. 2).— This report covers cultural 

 tests with mangels, swedes, turnips, and carrots conducted during the period 

 190G-1910 on 68 different farms (151 exj^rimental fields) in northern and 

 western Jutland, and supplements earlier reports for the period 1893-190.J. 



The average results for the entire 18 years show that the yield of dry matter 

 was somewhat larger for swedes than for mangels (83.4 and 80.8 cwt. per 

 tiindeland, or G1.2 and 59.3 cwt. per acre, respectively), about 25 per cent less 

 for carrots than for mangels, and about 20 per cent less for turnips than for 

 swedes. The special conditions under which the various crops are to be pre- 

 ferred for different sections of the country are discussed, and a rotation in- 

 tended to guard against insects and fungus diseases is suggested. 



The ag'ave, F. :\I]chottp: {Agr. Prat. Pays Chauds, 12 (1912), Nos. 106, pp. 

 1-15; J 07, pp. 150-162, /?fir.s\ 2).— A botanical study of the plant and descrip- 

 tion of its more important characteristics is followed by directions for its 

 propagation and culture, and a statement of its climatic requirements and the 

 results of a chemical analysis. 



Soils of the prairie regions of Alabama and Mississippi and their use for 

 alfalfa (U. 8. Dcpt. Agr. Rpt. 96, pp. 1/8, pis. 7, figs. J,). — This report consists of 

 2 parts. 



I. Houston clay and associated soils, II. H. Bennett (pp. 5-31). — A previous 

 discussion of the Houston clay has been previously noted (E. S. R., 26, p. 517). 

 The author discusses Houston chalk, Houston loam, and Trinity clay as soils 

 associated with and closely related to the Houston clay. As soils associated 

 with but not closely related to the Houston and Trinity soils he discusses Oktib- 

 beha, Susquehanna, Orangeburg, stream bottom soils associated with Trinity 

 clay, Ocklocknee, and Bibb soils. 



II. Alfalfa on the Houston clay: Its culture and m-anagement, M. A. Crosbj"- 

 (pp. 32-48). — In view of the fact that alfalfa growing is increasing in impor- 

 tance on the Houston clay soils of Alabama and Mississippi, and that climatic 

 and soil conditions here differ from those of other alfalfa sections, the author 

 gives directions for alfalfa production in this region. Special consideration is 

 given to alfalfa on Johnson grass land and on Bermuda sod. 



How to grow alfalfa, A. T. Wiancko and M. L. FishKe (Indiana Sta. Circ. 

 36, pp. 16, figs. 6). — This is in part a reprint of a circular dealing with the 

 production and use of alfalfa in Indiana already noted (E. S. R., 25, p. 440). 



On June 2, 1908, a cutting of 285 lbs. of hay was secured from a plat sown 

 on the thirtieth of the previous July, as compared with 315 lbs. from a plat 

 sown August 10, and 135 lbs. and 11 lbs., respectively, from sowings made / 

 August 24 and September 12. Of j^69 Sjjccessful alfalfa growlers,. 196 regarded ' 

 a nurse crop as unnecessary while 73 favored it. 



Genetic studies with the beet, B. Kajanus (Ztschr. InduJctive Ahstam. u. 

 Ycrerbungslehre, 6 (1912), No. 3, pp. 137-179, pis. 9, figs, g).— The author states 

 briefly the results of each of a considerable number of hybridizations in which 

 he used beets of different varieties. The notes given deal particularly with the 

 size, shape, and color of the roots and leaves. 



A new plant fiber, A. Zimmermann (Pflanzer, 7 (1911), No. i, p. 231). — The 

 author reports tests of the fine silky hairs from the seeds of a plant deter- 

 mined as Chlorocodon whitei. It was found in German East Africa and further 

 experiments in its production have been taken up there. 



Local fertilizer experiments with cotton in South Alabama in 1911, J. P. 

 DuGGAR, J. T. Williamson, L. L. Glover, and E. Hodson (Alabama Col. Sta. 

 Bui. 160, pp. 2JfI-296). — The results of local fertilizer experiments or soil tests 



