FIELD CROPS. 37 



Sweet clover, J. M. Westgate and H. N. Vinall {U. 8. Drpt. Agr.. Fanners' 

 Bui. J/So, pp. 39, figs. 16). — This discusses the various species of sweet clover, 

 outlines its status iu various sections of the I.^nited States, and gives directions 

 for jj;rowin,!;, cutting, and curing the crop. Its uses for hay, in rotation as a soiling 

 crop, and as a soil improver are summarized, and directions are given for seed- 

 production and for the eradication of the crop when it becomes a. weed. White 

 sweet clover (llelilotus alba) is the species principally discussed, but the yellow 

 annual and biennial species (ill. inclica) and (M. officinalis) are briefly treated. 

 An outline map of the United States shows that localities i n 22 States are su c- 

 cessfully utilizing sweet clover as a forage crop. 



The oi'dinary slow germination due to hard seed may be overcome by soak- 

 ing the seed in concentrated commercial sulphuric acid just before sowing and 

 washing rapidly in an abundance of water with frequent changes. Tests of 

 this method gave an increase in germination of from 40 to 45 per cent. South- 

 ern grown seed is about 60 per cent, northern grown 43 per cent, and imported 

 seed about 12 per cent hard. The presence of this hard seed, which does not 

 usually germinate the first season, may enable sweet clover to continue in a 

 meadow a number of years without reseeding. 



Its habits of growth do not make sweet clover troublesome under ordinary 

 conditions. Its control is especially difficult only under irrigation conditions 

 where old plants along ditch banks furnish seed which is scattered each year 

 by the irrigation water. 



The culture of cigar leaf tobacco in Texas, O. Olson (Texas Sta. Bui. lliJf, 

 pp. S-Ji2, figs. 11). — A summary of previous tobacco work in Texas carried on 

 by this Department and general information on the production, harvesting, and 

 curing of cigar-leaf tobacco in Texas are followed by statements of work on a 

 tobacco demonstration plat and of the results of experimental work. 



The cost of cigar-filler tobacco to the buyer or packer is reported as approxi- 

 mately 25 cts. per pound, including the items of 15 cts. for barn-cured tobacco, 

 3 cts. for loss in weight during fermentation, 1 ct. for fermentation, 3 cts. for 

 assorting, sizing, and tying, 1 ct. for baling, and 2 cts. for rent, supervision, etc. 

 The total cost per 1,000 cigars for Texas Cuban filler tobacco, and the necessary 

 binders and wrappers is estimated at about $15.25. The cost per acre of gi'ow- 

 ing, stripping, and tying is estimated at $78. 



The author states iu detail the methods used and results obtained in rotations 

 in fertilizer tests with tobacco, from which he concludes that the average yields 

 of 500 lbs. of Texas Cuban and 800 lbs. of Big Cuban can be increased to at 

 least 1.000 and 1,300 lbs. per acre respectively. In addition to the low yield 

 secured from the check and no-nitrogen plats, the leaves were generally " thin 

 and papei-y. while the laboratory tests indicated less aroma and flavor and much 

 less ability to stand a heavy fermentation than the tobacco from the highly 

 fertilized plats." Potash alone did not prove conducive to a good yield, 

 although a tobacco grown after its use ranked very high in aroma, flavor, and 

 burn. Phosphoric acid caused a rapid and highly desirable growth, and the 

 author recommends the use of 16 per cent acid phosphate. The methods used 

 in the seed beds are briefly stated, and a table gives the grades awarded the 

 tobacco grown on each of 12 fertilizer plats, in accordance with score card 

 points. 



Notes are given on the varieties and types grown on the variety and breed- 

 ing plats. 



Cultural tests of Herzegovina tobacco in Italy, Abbate (Bol. Tec. Coltiv. 

 Tnhncchi [Scafafi], 10 (1911), No. 3, pp. 161-l6-'f). — These experiments were 

 conducted in Comiso, Italy, on soils of different types. 



