632 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



tion of a number of samples of cotton grown in Asia Minor sliowed tliat fiber of 

 excellent quality can be produced in that country. Some of tbe samples of 

 native varieties were stained but the American varieties were generally free 

 from stains. The samples from American varieties were generally very promis- 

 ing and in some cases approached very nearly in quality similar varieties grown 

 in the United States. A cotton, known as No. 5 Tarsus, of the Egyptian Abassi 

 tj'pe, appeared very promising. 



A profitable cotton farm, C. L. Goodrich ( U. S. Dept. Agr., Fanners' Bui. 

 S6Jf, PI). 23, figs. 12). — This bulletin contains a description of a cotton farm in 

 the east-central part of South Carolina, together with an outline of its manage- 

 ment, including methods of growing cotton, corn, oats, cowpeas, the keeping of 

 live stock, and the equipment. 



Apparently as due to the present management, the results of the first year 

 showed a yield of li bales of cotton per acre and 37 bu. of corn per acre as 

 compared with previous yields of 300 lbs. of seed cotton and 5 to 8 bu. of corn 

 per acre. The yields continued to increase, although the amount of commercial 

 fertilizer used was decreased, the cotton yield rising to 2.27 bales per acre in 

 1908 and the corn yield to 85 bu. per acre in 1907. Likewise the oat yield 

 increased from 10 bu. per acre with 150 lbs. commercial fertilizer in 1902 to 

 80 bu. in 1908 without any commercial fertilizer. The important features of the 

 management are clearing the field, filling the gullies, deep plowing in the broad, 

 gently sloping lands, instead of terracing, the practice of a systematic rotation 

 of crops including cotton, corn, oats, and cowpeas, the feeding of live stock, 

 and the application of barnyard manure to the cotton land. 



Cotton cultivation: Its extension in Ceylon, J. S. J. McCall {Circs, and 

 Agr. Jour. Roy. Bot. Ganl. Ceylon, 4 (1909), No. 19, pp. 165-178, pi. 1).— The 

 condition and prospects of the cotton industry in Ceylon in the past and at 

 present are briefly reviewed. 



Flax culture and flax industry in Holland, Belgium, and France, J. Frost 

 (Ber. Landiv. Reichsamte Innern [Germany'\, No. 9, pp. 1^2, pis. 20, figs. 25). — 

 This publication discusses the different phases of flax culture and describes the 

 condition of the industry in each one of the countries mentioned. 



A study of the varieties of Abaca (Manila hemp), M. ]M. Saleeby {Philip- 

 pines Agr. Rev. [English Ed.], 2 (1909), No. 3, pp. 165-110, pi. i).— This article 

 enumerates the 9 varieties of Abaca under cultivation in the district of Davao, 

 and gives descriptions of each variety, including notes on the quality and 

 quantity of the fiber produced. 



The varieties considered most valuable are Tangouan, Maguindanao, Libuton, 

 and Bangulanun. The Arupan and Lumawaan varieties are considered medium 

 in value, while Puteean, Baguisanun, and Agutay, on account of weakness in the 

 fiber produced and other undesirable characteristics, are not recommended for 

 planting. 



Observations on the relation between specific gravity and the germinative 

 energy of oats, R. Stigell (Fiihling's Landiv. Zig., .58 (1909), No. 9, pp. 3^2- 

 34.'i). — The results of different investigators working along this line are briefly 

 reviewed and the data secured by the author are presented. It is pointed out 

 that, with only one exception, the time required for the grain to germinate 

 decreased regularly as its specific gravity increased. The results are regarded 

 as indicating that the specific gravity of the seed and the factor called germina- 

 tive energy, or the time required for the seed to germinate, are directly 

 correlated. 



Farm management in northern potato-growing sections, L. G. Dodge ( U. S. 

 Dept. Agr., Farmers' Bui. 365, pp. 31, figs, ii).— Statistics of potato growing 

 in the United States, cultural methods employed in Aroostook County, Maine, and 



