FIELD CROPS. 33 



The ciirboii dioxid excreted by the root systems of barley, oats, rye, and wheat 

 was deterinined, the barley root system giving off the greatest amount of carbon 

 dioxid and producing the greatest dry weight. The quotient arising from 

 dividing the weight of carbon dioxid by the dry weight of the root system is 

 least in barley and greatest in oats, and this quotient is considered an indica- 

 tion of the specific energy of respiration. 



The autliors believe that the injury to farm crops by insufficient aeration of 

 the soil probably arises from the accumulation of the liiglily toxic organic acids 

 due to the ini'omplete oxidation of the pi'oducts of respiration. 



Variation of fungi due to environment, F. L. Stevens and J. G. Hall 

 (Alls, in Science, n. str., 2!l (1909), No. 737, p. 273). — Notes are given showing 

 the effect of different densities of colonies on the same plate for 5 species of 

 fungi. Some of these sliowed an entire elimination of pycnidial formation and 

 the production of spores without covering when the plates were thiclvly sown. 



The effects of chemicals as intlueucing color, growth, and character of several 

 S!i>ecies of fungi are reiiorted upon, and the changes noted are said to be often 

 sufficient to cause tlie fungus to be removed from one order to another. 



The effect of light on tlie growth, spore formation, and zonation of the colo- 

 nies of several species of fungi is also rejiorted u])on. 



The culture of fungi, O. Brefeld (Untersuch. Gesamtgeh. Mykol., 1908, 

 Nu. I'l, PI). V/7/+2J6).— This volume treats of the germination of fungi, the 

 application of culture methods to various forms of fungi, their comparative 

 morphology, and related fruiting forms. The first part of the publication is 

 devoted to studies on germination, methods of isolation, pure cultures, infec- 

 tious, etc. In the second part of the work the application of culture methods 

 as affecting the morphology, etc.. is discussed, the principal gi'oups of fungi 

 being treated. 



Bacteria in relation to country life, J. (i. Lipman {New York, 1908, pp. 

 XX-\-.'iS6, pJ. 1, figs. 77). — The general purpose of this book, as concisely set 

 forth by the author, is " to treat, in a simple way, of the bacteria as they con- 

 cern life in the country. It is an attempt to discuss the character of the bac- 

 teria in air, water, sewage, manure, soil, and food products." It is stated that 

 "technical teitns and expressions have been elinnnated as far as practicable," 

 and the hope is expi-essed " that the general reader may find the book an aid in 

 the understanding of the bacteriological problems as they affect the daily tasks 

 on the farm." 



The book discusses in a complete and comprehensive way the structure and 

 growth of bacteria and the various roles they play in relation to air and water, 

 sewage, soil fertility, barnyard manure, milk and milk products, and fermenta- 

 tion. A valuable feature of the book, particularly for the nonscientific reader. 

 Is a combined glossary and index. 



A bibliography of niycological literature, G. Lindau and P. Sydow {Thc- 

 ftaiirus litteruturw myvologiar et licliciiolagicw ratione hahita prcecipue omnium 

 qua' lulhuc scripta sunt de niyrologid applicata. Leipsic, 1908, vol. 2, pt. 1, pp. 

 320). — This i)ublication is a continuation of the previous number (E. S. R., 20, 

 p. 827), the titles listed being those of authors as far as Puriewitsch. The 

 total number of papers to the conclusion of the present number is 21,475. 



FIELD CROPS. 



[Report of the botanist], J. J. Tiiokni!kk (Arizona l^ta. Rpt. 1908, pp. 

 S5J-3'>6). — The conditions upon the range in connection with the range improve- 

 ment work, previously descrilied ( E. S. K., 11), \k ll.'M), are discussed. The 

 precipitation on the small range reserve tract for the year ending June 30, 190S, 



