330 EXPEKTMENT STATION RECORD. 



'I'lio nnnlysos of tlio root crops show tlio nioistnro. dry nmttcr. and sn^ar contont. 

 For simar hocls tlic coefficient of purity is also given. 



Corn improvenaent, J. A. Jeffery (Micliigan 8fa. t<pcc. Bill. -',7, pp. 5-27, 

 figs. 23). — This is a i)opular discussion on the improvement of corn by means 

 of seed selection and better cultivation and is a revision of Special Bulletin 34 

 of the station (E. S. K., 17, p. 1000). 



Improving the corn crop, L. Carrier (Virginia Sia. Circ. 6. pp. 12, figs. 

 J{). — The improvement of corn by means of grading the seed, and by breeding 

 and selection is brietly discussed. 



Experiments with Egyptian cotton in 1908, T. H. Kearney and W. A. 

 Peterson {U. S. Dcpt. Agr., Bur. Pknit Indus. Circ. 29, pp. 22). — About -40 

 acres of Egyptian cotton were grown in southern Arizona and southeastern 

 California in continuation of work previously noted (E. S. R., 20, p. 13G). 



The results from newly Imported seed and from seed grown for several years 

 in the Southwest gave further evidence of the need of acclimatization for the 

 production of good yields and a high quality of fiber. Diversity in production 

 as well as in quality in plants from the same stock of seed was observed in 

 A-arious localities of the Colorado River Region, and this is taken as an indi- 

 cation of the need of local adjustment. In 1908 the highest yield was at the 

 rate of 1.2 American bales per acre on a one-fifth acre plat at Yuma. At Sacaton 

 19 acres produced slightly over 0..5 bale per acre. The strength and fineness of 

 the fiber was generally satisfactory. The experiments at Sacaton further indi- 

 cated that under some conditions furrow irrigation may give better results than 

 flooding. 



The productiveness of the plants was found to be largely influenced by the 

 time of planting, and the time and manner of irrigation. The early planted 

 cotton gave in all cases the best yields. In the Colorado River Region Egyptian 

 cotton hybridized very readily with Upland varieties, and as tlie. fiber from the 

 hybrid plants, although usually of excellent quality, differs in length, color, and 

 texture from that of the ]iure Egyptian plants, the uniformity of the product is 

 easily lost. It is said that a good stand and a good quality of Egyptian cotton 

 can be expected only on land containing less than one-lialf of 1 per cent of 

 alkali in the first 3 ft. of soil, although exceptionally resistant individual plants 

 will produce a fair quality of fiber where the alkali content is from 0.5 to 1 per 

 cent. 



The i-eports -of spinning and weaving tests of the fiber produced at Yuma in 

 1907 indicate that the acclimatized Mit Afifl grown in Arizona compares favor- 

 ably with the better grades of this A'ariety imported from Egypt. 



[Analyses of sweet clover], L. G. Michael (lou-a State Col. Agr. Rpt. 

 1907-8, pp. 149, 150). — Two analyses of sweet clover hay are reported. One of 

 the samples contained 22.55 per cent of crude protein, 23.49 per cent of crude 

 fiber, and 33.16 per cent of carbohydrates. 



Tobacco, W. H. Scherffius and H. Woosley (Kentuclcy Sta. Bui. 139, pp. 

 5-36, pis. 16, map 1). — This bulletin on the cultivation, curing, and marketing 

 of tobacco is published in connection with work conducted in cooperation with 

 the Bureau of Plant Industry of this Department. General discussions on the 

 various steps in growing tobacco are presented, and the results of a fertilizer 

 experiment are reported. 



In the fertilizer tests phosphoric acid in the form of acid phosphate ai)plied 

 at the rate of 320 lbs. per acre, gave good results whether used alone or in com- 

 bination. Where this substance was used the leaves were much longer and 

 broader, and the plants produced a more vigorous growth, which permitted them 

 to be topped higher than on the plats not receiving phosphoric acid. Potash 

 was not so effective as phosphoric acid, and nitrogen made a poor showing in 



