132 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD. 



respectively. When precipitation and irrigation are both taljeu into account a 

 kilogram of dry matter in the crop of 1908 required 467 liters of water applied 

 by sprinkling and 581 liters under furrow irrigation. 



The influence of mineral fertilizers on certain Cyperaceae, J. B. GtzE 

 (Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci. [Paris], U/S (1909), No. 11, pp. 727-720; ahs. in Rev. 

 Sci. [Paris], 47 {1909), I, No. 13, p. Jflt). — In the experiments reported it was 

 found that the leaves of Carex fiparia and C. stricta were greatly increased in 

 length and size by the use of liberal applications of nitrogenous fertilizers. 

 Phosphatic and potash fertilizers, on the other hand, produced no marked effect 

 on the yield. The author concludes that the merchantable quality of sedges 

 can be greatly increased by the proper use of nitrogenous fertilizers. 



Report of the committee on breeding cereals, L. S. Klinck et al. (Amer. 

 Breeders' Assoc. Proc, } {190S), pp. -'f'i-6o). — This report outlines promising 

 lines of investigation in cereal breeding, describes the progress made in wheat, 

 barley, oat, and rice breeding, and suumiarizes briefly the work in these lines 

 by the experiment stations in this country and Canada. 



Seed grain, A. Boss et al. (Minnesota Sta. Bui. 115, pp. 363-384, figs. 2). — 

 The seed of grain is described with reference to its parts, germination, and 

 growth. Directions for cleaning and grading grain are given, together with 

 notes on the grain smuts and their prevention and the results of variety tests 

 made by the station. 



Minnesota No. 169, Hayne Blue Stem and Bolton Blue Stem have been found 

 superior to the common blue stem wheats and Minnesota No. 16.3 has shown 

 itself to be a superior Fife wheat. Manshury barley is mentioned as the best 

 for Minnesota soils and Minnesota No. 10.5 developed from Manshury is also 

 given as a standard variety. The following are considered the leading varieties 

 of oats : White Russian, Silver ]Mine, Swedish Select, Minnesota No. 6, and 

 Minnesota No. 26. The best variety of flax tested at the station is Minnesota 

 No. 25. 



With reference to yields it is stated that the blue stem wheats seem to be 

 more productive than the Fife varieties. Minnesota No. 169 has a record of 

 26.7 bu. and Minnesota No. 16.3 of 26.4 bu. per acre for the past 14 years. Where 

 from 18 to 20 bu. or more of blue stem or Fife wheat can be produced it is 

 believed that no increased profit will result from growing durum varieties. 

 Among the varieties of oats Minnesota No. 6 has averaged 60 bu. per acre and 

 Minnesota No. 26, 66.6 bu. for the last 15 years. In 1908, 41 varieties of six- 

 rowed barley yielded at the rate of 44 bu. and 23 varieties of two-rowed barley 

 at the rate of 31.5 bu. per acre. Minnesota No. 105 has averaged 50.4 bu. per 

 acre for the past 10 years. 



Variety testing, C. A. Mooers (Tennessee Sta. Bui. 86, pp. 76-81; Rpt. Coop, 

 and Ext. Work Agr. 31iddle Tenn. 1907-8, pp. .'iS-53; 5-J, ,5.5).— The results of 

 cooperative variety tests with corn and potatoes are reported in tables. 



Hickory King corn proved to be the best for poor soils and Leaming and Iowa 

 Silver Mine appeared especially well suited to the Cumberland Plateau. Boone 

 County White, Huffman, Webb Improved Watson, and the ensilage varieties 

 Albemarle Prolific and Cocke Prolofic are adapted only to rich soils. It is stated 

 that Hickory King should be so planted that an acre grows at least 1,000 stalks 

 more than it ordinarily does of Huffman. 



With potatoes, the use of a complete fertilizer gave a high percentage of 

 increase in the yield. The best yield, 360 bu. per acre, was secured with Bliss 

 Triumph grown from Southern seed and fertilized with 300 lbs. of acid phos- 

 phate, 50 lbs. of muriate of potash, 400 lbs. of cotton-seed meal, and 12 tons of 

 barnyard manure per acre. Northern seed of this variety under the same con- 

 ditions yielded per acre only 262 bu. 



