434 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



of better methods of cultivation and crop management has also shown itself in 

 increased yields of both dark and bright tobacco. Notes are given on the 

 preparation of the soil and the care of the growing crop, tobacco breeding work, 

 and field meetings. It is also pointed out that cowpeas are a most practical 

 crop for the prevention of injury from cutworms and wireworms when planted 

 immediately i)receding tobacco. 



The improvement of Wisconsin tobacco through seed selection, E. P. 

 Sandsten (Wisconsin Sta. Bui. 1116, pp. 3-17, figs. 11). — The work here dis- 

 cussed was begun in 1903 with the selection of a good type of Wisconsin-grown 

 Connecticut-Havana seed regarded by leading buyers and growers as the most 

 desirable type for the State. After 3 years' selection a pure type of tobacco 

 with good leaves, fine textui-e, and large yielding qualities has been secured and 

 seed of the type has been distributed to growers with success. Over 700 lbs. 

 of this seed was distributed during the year. 



It is recommended that the grower choose the best variety in his locality, 

 mark the superior plants and preserve them for seed. The selection of indi- 

 vidual plants should be based upon vigor, spread and shape of leaves, number 

 and arrangement, prominence of midrib, texture and thinness, liability to pro- 

 duce suckers, color, and attachment of leaves to stem. Every growing crop 

 should be culled and only the very best plants retained. Side shoots and suckers 

 should be removed from selected plants and the main crop topped before the 

 flowers expand, to prevent cross-fertilization with the seed plants. Stripping 

 the seed plants is not recommended, as the leaves are needed to fully develop 

 the seed. 



Descriptions are further given on the harvesting and testing of tobacco seed, 

 and the arrangement of a germinator is outlined. 



The culture and selection of tobacco, L. Trabut (Gouvt. Gen. Alg^rie, Dir. 

 Agr., Serv. Bot. Bui. J/G, pp. 22, figs. 20). — In connection with a review of the 

 work with tobacco at the station the author describes a number of hybrids and 

 selected strains. In the breeding work with tobacco a number of American 

 varieties have been used. 



The ripening of different varieties of spring wheat as influenced by soil 

 moisture content, von Seelhorst and Krzymowski (Jour. Landw., 57 (1909), 

 No. 1, pp. 113, 11.'/). --In these experiments the water content of the soil in the 

 various pots in which the grain was grown was kept at 40, 55, TO, and 85 per 

 cent of complete saturation. 



The results show that as the soil moisture was increased up to 70 ])er cent 

 the ripening of the grain was retarded, this being brought out especially by a 

 comparison of the data secured with 55 per cent and with 70 per cent of the 

 water-holding capacity. With 85 per cent the plants ripened earlier than with 

 70 per cent. The earlier rapid growth on the soil given water to the extent of 

 85 per cent of saturation exhausted the supply of nitrogen sooner than did the 

 growth in the other test and in this way was brought about the earlier maturity. 

 The comparative yields obtained with 70 per cent and 85 per cent of saturation 

 were 62.4 gm. and 89.4 gm., respectively. 



The maximum difference in the average ripening periods was 7.5 days. In 

 time of ripening the several varieties differed widely under the influence of 

 varying soil moisture content. On the drier soils this difference was small, 

 while on those higher in moisture it was greater. Noe and Schlanstedt wheat 

 remained green much longer than Galician Club, and Iden stood between them 

 in this respect. It was found that the water content of the soil can have so 

 great an influence on the ripening period that the varietal characteristics in this 

 regard are entirely obliterated. 



