FIELD CROPS, 



41 



roguljir tliat it may be possible to utilize it in the coniniereial production of 

 Lijrh-fci'iitle tib<>r. 



" Sui»i)ressioii and intensilicatiou of characters are most pronounced In the 

 first generation and tend to disappear in later generations. This fact stands in 

 the way of the breeding of hybrid types with permanently intensified charac- 

 ters, but does not interfere with the commercial production of cotton from first- 

 generation hybrids, if hybrid seed can be obtained in sufficient quantities. 



" It has become apparent in experiments that large proportions of hybrid 

 seed can be obtained by planting two types of cotton close together and allowing 

 the bees to ci-oss-fertilize the flowers. It also appears practicable to raise fields 

 of hybrid plants by sowing seed of Kekchi plants cross-fertilized with Egyp- 

 tian pollen. The Kekchi seedlings can be easily recognized and removed, leav- 

 ing only the hybrids to mature. 



" Such a method of producing cotton from first-generation hybrids is brought 

 within the range of practicability in Arizona by the unusual abundance and 

 activity of cross-fertilizing insects and by the dry climate, which enables the 

 growth and fertility of the plants to be definitely controlled by careful irriga- 

 tion. The superior (luality of the hybrid cotton . . . will also justify the use of 

 special methods of breeding and cultivation." 



Report of progress in variety tests of oats, C. Willis (Soiitli Dakota Sta. 

 Bui. J 10, pp. .'i21-^50, fi(/s. 2). — This bulletin presents the records of the work 

 with oats begun in ISvlJ). 



The seed of nearly all the varieties mentioned was furnished by the Bureau 

 of Plant Industry of this Department. The mechanical analysis of the soil is 

 reported and the behavior of the different varieties under test is described. In 

 1908, 42 varieties were grown, but the season was unfavorable and the yields 

 varied from 1.5 to G3.7 bu. per acre. The principal results are summarized in 

 the following table: 



Comparative yield of varieties of oats. 



The meteorological records for the different seasons are tabulated, and brief 

 notes are given on oat snuit and its treatment. 



The rice industry in Hawaii, F. G. Kr.mtss (Honolulu Chamber Com. .inn., 

 JDOS, pp. Ill-ll'i). — I'his article is a brief description of the present state of 

 the rice industry in the Hawaiian Islands. Statistics with reference to mills 

 and their capacity, as well as imports and exports of rice to and from Hawaii, 

 are incUjded. 



Sisal in Hawaii, W. Wkinricii, Jr. {Honolulu Chamber Com. Ann., 1908, pp. 

 11!), 120). — This article contains a brief review of the sisal industry in the Ha- 

 waiian Islands. The author states that the industry deserves greater atten- 

 tion, inasmuch as it has been shown that the quality of fiber produced in Hawaii 



