FIELD CROPS. 139 



was retained each season for further sowing as a separate variety, for example, 

 Probesteier 1907, Probesteier 1908, etc., indicating the first season in which the 

 variety was grown at Ames from the stocli so designated. Tables present the 

 economic portion of the notes taken on this test of seed of different degrees of 

 acclimatization. Another table compares the first, second, and third crops after 

 importation of the seed obtained from the British Isles and various stations. 

 The author notes that the British seed, the normal date of ripening of which 

 is late in August was damaged less and less in each succeeding generation by 

 the changed conditions, consequently the second crop exceeded the first and was 

 exceeded by the third in yield. Seed from central Illinois yielded 52.6, 52.7, 

 and 52.2 bu. per acre for the 3 crops. The small rise in the second crop is 

 so frequent as to be important, in the author's opinion, although its frequency 

 i'i less than 50 per cent. He concludes that " short-seasoned territories produce 

 oats better adapted to a longer-seasoned territory than the ones usually grown 

 there," but that " as a whole the imported seed is not better than the average 

 home-grown seed." 



Although the seed sold under a given name does not conform to a single type 

 of plant, or always contain a limited number of types in the same proportion, 

 it is stated that " at the Iowa Station it is not considered that this point seri- 

 ously affects yield or weight per bushel." In 1910 only 4 of 19 new importations 

 yielded as well as the same varieties that had been acclimated for 1 or 2 years. 

 The loss in yielding power appeared to be directly proportional to the degree of 

 change of environment. The increase in yield was most marked in the second 

 crop, and quality of seed appeared less important than acclimatization. Where 

 importations appeared successful the increase arose from securing a better 

 adapted variety rather than from the quality of seed. 



In 4 years' tests drilling and broadcasting gave average yields of 40.7 and 

 36.9 bu. per acre, respectively, and wherever the land is dry enough to permit, 

 drilling is recommended. 



A table states the results of a 6-years' test of rates of seeding Kherson and 

 Silver Mine oats. During the 4-year period 190S-1911 Kherson yielded more 

 heavily after seeding at the rate of 4* bu. per acre than at any lighter rate, 

 but Silver Mine sown at the rate of 4 bu. per acre yielded much more heavily 

 than any higher or lower rate tested. 



The Chicago grades of oats are stated and suggestions made as to needed 

 improvements in methods of oat production in Iowa. 



Composition of qats as affected by fertilization, hilling, and rate of seed- 

 ing-, W. Ebert (Mitt. Landw. Inst. Leipzig, 1911, No. 10, pp. S-88). — The 

 author reviews the literature of the subject, with frequent citations and a 

 bibliography of 123 titles, and from a considerable amount of data, gathered in 

 his own tests, he draws the following conclusions : 



Variation in rate of sowing influences the composition of oats more than does 

 variation in any other cultural practice tested. Thin sowing increases root 

 development, tillering, length of panicle, number of spikelets, and weight per 

 panicle and per 1,000 kernels, and reduces the chaff percentage. Both grain 

 and straw are increased in dry substance and protein content, the chaff is 

 increased in dry substance and varies in protein content, and ether extract and 

 crude fiber decrease. 



Fertilization showed the next greatest influence, producing an increased root 

 development, tillering power, length of straw, length and weight of internode, 

 length and weight of panicle, number of spikelets, and whorls, and 1,000-kernel 

 weight, and reducing the chaff percentage. It apparently increased the protein 



51193°— 12 4 



