FIELD CROPS. 431 



v/hen the same grades were planted aloue the decreases were 35 and 40 per 

 cent. Plants from all grades decreased markedly from various causes besides 

 competition. Since natural elimination of weaklings from either large or small 

 seed has been going on for ages, it would seem that artificial seed separation by 

 fanning mill or screens could not increase the efficiency of seed, particularly 

 since the usual method of thick seeding permits the natural elimination of 

 one-half the plants without affecting the yields. 



The desirability of separating pure strains is indicated by the fact that the 

 variety which when sown alone is the best yielder, in a mixed sowing may be 

 dominated by a less productive type. When the seeds of 2 varieties were alter- 

 nated in the same row, the yield of the mixture was always greater than that 

 of either variety aloue. Seed from corn strains which had been grown for 6 

 years at the rates of 1, 3, and 5 plants per hill averaged 34.9, 38.5, and 41 bu. 

 per acre, respectively, in 3911. 



The manuring of grass land (Univ. Col. Reading, Dept. Agr. and Hort. Bui. 

 13, 1910; abs. in Jour. Bd. Agr. [London], 18 (1912), No. 11, p. 9Jfl).—A brief 

 progress report on fertilizer and other tests conducted at 9 points in Oxford- 

 shire in 1909-10. Phosphorus applications gave profitable returns in most locali- 

 ties and the addition of potash and nitrogen still further increased the yields. 



The manuring- of grass land ( Univ. Col. Rending, Dept. Agr. and Hort. Bui. 

 13, 1910; ahs. in Jour. Bd. Agr. [London], 18 (1912), No. 11, p. 9-'//).— This is a 

 report of tests similar to those noted above, but conducted at IS points in Bucks. 



The grasses and grass-like plants of New Mexico, E. O. Wooton and P. O. 

 Standley (NeiD Mexico Sta. Bui. 81, pp. 116, pis. 12, figs. 32). — This bulletin 

 is intended to supply information with regard to the individual grasses and 

 grass-like plants of New Mexico to dry farmers, stockmen, and students. It 

 contains a tentative relief map and an outline map showing the distribution 

 of the principal grass societies, a technical description of each species, and a 

 key for their determination. 



Studies in Indian fiber plants, A. and G. L. C. Howard (Mem. Dept. Agr. 

 India, Bot. Ser., 4 (1911), No. 2, pp. 9-36, pis. 7). — Notes are given on the 

 botanical and other characters of varieties and types of Hibiscus cannabinus 

 and H. sabdariffa. 



Peruvian alfalfa, A. Opazo (An. Agron. [Santiago de Chile], 6 (1911), No. 

 3-//. pp. 365-375). — A brief account is given of tests of Peruvian and Chilean 

 alfalfa sown separately and mixed in various proportions. Physical and chemi- 

 cal analyses of the soil of the Coquimbo experiment fields are also reported. 



Lucern (Jour. Neio Zeal. Dept. Agr., 4 (1912), No. 3, pp. 188-190, figs. 2).— 

 Notes on the vegetation habits of a number of alfalfa varieties tested are given. 



Tests of treated and untreated beet seed, H. K. Gijnther (Centbl. Zucker- 

 indus., 19 (1911), No. 30, p. 1021; abs. in Centbl. Bald, [etc.], 2. Abt., 32 (1912), 

 No. 6-12, p. 308).— Additional tests of prepared seed (E. S. R., 25, p. 135) 

 showed a greater percentage of germination, a higher degree of resistance to 

 injurious influences, and a tendency to earlier sprouting. It is stated also that 

 the favorable yield reported from the earlier observations was maintained. 



Germination tests of the difEerent colored seeds of red clover, B. Kajanus 

 (Landw. Jahrb., U (1911), No. 3-Ji, pp. 527-533) .—Tables state in full the 

 data obtained in germination and other tests of red clover seed of different 

 colors. The relation of color to rate of germination is also discussed, and a 

 biblio,gi"aphy of 4 titles is given. 



Yellow and brown seeds appeared about equal in weight, but violet seeds were 

 much heavier. Violet seeds germinated somewhat better than yellow ones and 

 both excelled brown seeds in this respect. The percentage of hard seed was 



