840 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD. 



eration. They report tlieir failure to produce a first-generation yield equal to 

 the combined yield of both parents, which was accomplished several times in 

 later generations. In reviewing the possibility of producing first-generation 

 hybrids on a commercial scale, it is estimated that the extra cost should not 

 exceed 50 cts. per acre. 



A study of certain strains of some of the hybrid varieties indicated the possi- 

 bility of breeding for special adaptations. Among the hybrids produced some 

 exhibited great drought resistance and others a much greater ability to make 

 profitable use of ^ the less available or more slowly available forms of plant 

 food such as barnyard manure or other forms of organic matter and certain 

 ingredients often found in commercial fertilizers. 



Cooperative tests by farmers were conducted in 1909, 1910, and 1911. In 

 1910, Hybrid 81 was given out for the first time and immediately found favor 

 with many growers on account of its erect habit of growth, hardiness, and great 

 ability to withstand windstorms. In yield it made from 13 to 46 per cent more 

 than Zimmer Spanish under the same conditions. The cured tobacco of this 

 hybrid is almost uudistinguishable from that of Zimmer Spanish, and its smoking 

 quality has proved equal to or better than that of Zimmer Spanish. It is 

 stated that the total number of cooperative growers for 1912 is about 100 and 

 that the total acreage of hybrids to be grown in these tests will amount to over 

 250 acres planted largely to Hybrids SI, 224, and 199. Hybrids SI and 224 of 

 the Spanish types, Hybrid 199, a Seedleaf type, and Hybrid 110, which is inter- 

 mediate in character, are especially recommended for trial. 



Smoking tests of Ohio filler tobacco are reported and discussed. It was found 

 that there was no apparent connection between nicotin content and smoking 

 quality. 



The influence of superphosphates on the germination of wheat, A. J. 

 EwART (Jour. Dcpt. Agr. Victoria, 10 (1912), No. Jf, pp. 256'258) .—The author 

 notes that it has frequently been stated that the germination of wheat may be 

 easily affected if it lies long in contact with superphosphate of lime in a dry 

 soil. The injury is pronounced only when the seed germinates and the .soil 

 subsequently dries. 



Seeds stored dry with an equal quantity of dry superphosphate gave germi- 

 nation tests averaging 91.25 per cent at the end of 3 weeks, and 87 per cent 

 at the end of 6 weeks, as compared with 91 per cent at the end of 3 weeks in 

 case of the seed stored without superphosphate. The author concludes that 

 little or no injurious effect is exercised under these conditions in a moderate 

 length of time. 



In a field test, superphosphate was applied with the grain 1 in. deep, 1 in. 

 below the seed and 3 in. below the seed. The deeper plantings were invariably 

 followed by considerably greater yields. 



Wheat experiments, season 1911, H. Ross et al. (Agr. Gaz. N. S. Wales, 

 23 (1912), No. 4, pp. 277-293). — These pages report the results of farmers' 

 variety tests of wheat in 4 different districts, fertilizer and smut prevention 

 tests, and trials of mixed sowings of wheat and oats for hay. 



Seed laboratory report for 1910 and 1911, W. L. Oswald (Minnesota Sta. 

 Bui. 127, pp. 129-163, pis. 2. figs. 12). — Following introductory remarks on the 

 objects of the Minnesota seed laboratory by E. M. Freeman, the bulletin de- 

 scribes methods of seed testing employed, reports the source of the seed sam- 

 ples received, presents results of purity and germination tests, and describes 

 a weed-seed case for the identification of weed seeds. 



During the 2 years, 2,275 tests for purity were made. It was found in this 

 work that out of a total of 59 different weed seeds found, 36 occurred in the 

 different samples of medium red clover. Only 4 different varieties were found 



