136 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD. 



hybrids between upland short and long staples and Sea Island and Egyptian 

 varieties. 



Report of committee on breeding fiber crops, J. H. Shepperd et al. {Anier. 

 Breeders' Assoc. Proc, 4 (1908), pp. 219-233, figs. 7).— This report consists of 

 the following papers: A Survey of the Conditions Surrounding Fiber-Crop 

 rroduction, by L. H. Dewey ; Hemp and Hemp Breeding, by F. Kuorr ; Breeding 

 Fiber Flax for Resistance to Diseases, by H. L. Bolley ; and Breeding Flax for 

 Fiber Type of Plant, by J. H. Shepperd. 



Fiber experiments, G. A. Gammie (Dept. Agr. Bomhaij, Ann. Rpt. Expt. 

 Work Guneshkhind Bot. Sta. 1907-8, pp. 16-33).— In 1906 jute yielded in an 

 experimental culture at the rate of 609 lbs. of dry fiber per acre, the percentage 

 of fiber to stalk being 2.45. In 1907 an acre yield of SIT lbs. of dry fiber was 

 secured and the percentage of fiber to stalk reached 4.72. The two species of 

 jute to which attention is given are Corchorus capsularis and C. olitorius. 

 Brief notes on work with other fiber crops are also presented. 



The results of experiments with a large list of cotton species and varieties 

 are shown in a table and the behavior of several kinds is briefly noted. 



Improvement of hops by selection and breeding', W. W. Stockberger 

 (Amer. Breeders' Assoc. Proc, 4 (190S), pp. 156-161). — This paper points out 

 the need for improvement and the failure of introduced varieties, describes im- 

 provement by selection and hybridization, and discusses the correlation of 

 characters in the hop and the importance of breeding in hop culture. 



Experiments on the absorption and excretion of plant food by oats at 

 different stages of growth, L. Seidlep. and A. Stutzer (Jour. Landw., 56 

 {1008), Xo. S, pp. 273-278; abs. in CJicm. Abs., 3 {1909), Xo. 6, p. 683).— 'Pot 

 experiments with oats harvested at four different periods showed that the 

 stai'ch content was at the maximum during the last period while the amount of 

 nitrogen, potash, soda, phosphoric acid, and lime was greater before maturity. 

 These results corroborate those of other investigators, and indicate that after 

 the plant food, especially i)otash, has performed its functions in the plant it is 

 returned in part to the soil. 



Peanuts, W. R. Beattie {V. 8. Dept, Agr., Farmers' Bui. 356, pp. 1/0, figs. 

 20). — This farmers' bulletin, which supersedes Farmers' Bui. 25 (E. S. R., 6, p. 

 803), discusses the soil and climatic requirements of the peanut and gives gen- 

 eral directions for its culture. The topics treated are soil preparation, fertil- 

 izers, rotation, seed and its selection, planting, cultivation, harvesting and pick- 

 ing and cleaning. The varieties and uses of peanuts are described iiud the im- 

 portance of the peanut as a farm crop is pointed out. Notes on insects and 

 diseases attacking the plant are also given. 



Irish potato investigations, C. P. Close and T. H. White {Maryland Sta. 

 Bui. 132, pp. 151-173, figs. 7). — The results of culture, seed, and variety experi- 

 ments with potatoes are reported and directions for growing the crop are given. 



Experiments to determine the relative merits of shallow, medium, and deep 

 cultivation at intervals of 5, 10, or 15 days showed the best yields from deep 

 and infrequent cultivation. There was a difference of over 14 bu. per acre in 

 favor of deep over shallow cultivation and of 21 bu. in favor of infrequent 

 working. Different kinds of seed potatoes ranked in the following order of 

 yield: Maryland second crop, Maine grown, Virginia second crop, and home- 

 grown summer-harvested seed. The results of one test with seed potatoes kept 

 in cold storage indicate that apparently cold storage has little advantage over 

 ordinary storage for early spring planting. Of 2 varieties grown in 1907 and 

 3 in 1908, seed with strong sprouts gave an average yield per acre of 126 bu. 

 of prime tubers and 54.1 bu. of culls, while seed with weak sprouts produced 



