340 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



hills wlien the rates of seeding are equal." When the corn was drilled, how- 

 ever, planting 12 in. apart, equivalent to 4 stalks per hill, gave a still higher 

 yield in 1910. 



Cotton and cotton culture, O. O. Churchill and A. H. Weight {Oklahoma 

 Sta. Bui. 97, pp. S-23, figs. 7). — This bulletin is intended to furnish practical 

 information on cotton culture under Oklahoma conditions. It is based on ex- 

 perimental work at the station, and variety tests are reported. 



In 1911, Simykin Prolific, English Ounce Boll, and Extra Big Boll produced 

 the highest yields and Texas Storm Proof stood rather low, although it stood 

 quite high in average yield among the varieties tested during the period 1903- 

 1910. It is the only variety whose yield is reported for each year during this 

 period. 



Directions for cotton production in Oklahoma are followed by a discussion 

 of insect pests and by maps showing the cotton producing area of the State, 

 the average rainfall at the various recording stations, and the dates of the last 

 spring and first fall killing frosts. 



Experiments with varieties of cotton, J. N. Habpee and F. G. Tarbox, Jr. 

 (South Carolina Sta. Bui. 162, pp. 3-8). — Notes on 27 varieties of cotton tested 

 during 1911 are presented. 



The seeding of cowpeas, M. F. Miller (Missouri Sta. Circ. 53, pp. 147-150). — 

 Directions for seeding, harvesting, and threshing cowpeas in Missouri. 



Thousand-headed kale and marrow cabbage, L. J. Chapin (Washington 

 Sta. Bui. 6. spec, ser., pp. 8, fig. 1). — The feeding value, culture, and seed pro- 

 duction of these crops are discussed, with methods of combating the root mag- 

 got. See also a previous note (E. S. R., 23, p. 436). 



Changes in the composition of the oat plant as it approaches maturity, 

 T. E. Keitt and F. G. Tarbox, Jr. (South Carolina Sta. Bui. 163, pp. 16).— 

 Analyses of samples taken almost daily from May 11, when the heads were 

 part in bloom and part in boot, until May 26, when the grain was hardening, 

 indicate the changes in composition of the oat plant during that period. The 

 data obtained are presented in tables, from which the following conclusions 

 are drawn : 



During the last few days of maturity of the plant the increase in total dry 

 matter was rapid. Prior to that time it was regular but not rapid. From 

 the beginning of blooming to the time of hardening, the seed increased from 

 17 to 39 per cent of the entire plant by weight, and the leaves decreased from 

 47 to 2S per cent of the plant. The straw percentage reached its maximum 

 when the oat was in the milk stage. The protein in the seed glume, leaf, and 

 straw increased until the milk stage after which it decreased rapidly. The 

 water content remained high and rather constant during the blooming period, 

 decreased suddenly at the beginning of the milk stage and then remained 

 very constant until the oat began to turn when it again decreased. The ash 

 reached its maximum for the entire plant when the protein reached its maxi- 

 mum. Very little starch formed before the first signs of milk, the carbo- 

 hydrates being present before that time as invert and reducing sugar, mainly 

 the latter. The sugar percentage decreased during the milk stage but increased 

 slightly with the approach of maturity. 



In order to obtain a nitrogenous forage, cutting should be done in the early 

 milk stage, but if a forage high in carbohydrates is sought the grain should 

 be cut at the beginning of the dough stage, since there is a rapid decrease in 

 feeding value after this time in spite of the continued increase of starch in 

 the seed. 



The assimilation of phosphorites by oats and buckwheat, V. T. Sazanow 

 (Izv. Moskov. Sclsk. Khos. Inst. (Ann. Inst. Agron. Moscou), 17 (1911), No. 1, pp. 



