230 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOED. 



rows 5 miles distant. The tops were cut back to 6 inches in height before being 

 removed from the pots in the cold frames." 



The application of the method to practical plant-breeding problems is dis- 

 cussed, and a list of self-sterile and self-fertile leguminous plants is given in 

 this connection. 



Some important grasses and forage plants for the gulf coast region, S. M. 

 Tbacy (V. 8. Dept. Agr., Farmers' Bui. 300, pp. 15, figs. 5). — Brief discussions 

 on the value and requirements of Mexican clover ( Richardson ia scabra), beg- 

 garweed (Desmodimn tortuosum), velvet beans {Mucuna utilis), guinea grass 

 (Pamcum maximum), and Para grass (P. molle) are presented. 



Notes on agave and furcraea in India, J. R. Deummond and D. Prain {Dir. 

 Land Rec. and Agr. Bengal, Bui. S, 1905, pp. 195). — Descriptions are given of 

 the genus Furcrjea and of the section euagave of the genus Agave, together 

 with those of species naturalized in India or cultivated for their fiber. A Ivey 

 to the species of euagave is given, and the more important publications bearing 

 on the subject, in addition to those mentioned in the text, are listed. The book 

 also contains a glossary of local and commercial terms referring to the Agaveaj 

 and certain other fiber plants, or to their products. 



Alfalfa culture in Grand Isle County, L. R. Jone^ and H. A. Edson {Ver- 

 mont Sta. Rpt. 1906, pp. 269-218). — This article is a general discussion of alfalfa 

 growing in Grand Isle County, with a tabulated summary of some of the results 

 secured. The average total yield per acre ranged from 21 to 6 tons. The 

 methods of culture indorsed Include thorough preparation of the soil, early 

 seeding with grain, preferably oats, the use of 20 lbs. of seed per acre, a light 

 annual top-dressing with commercial fertilizer, and the use of land free from 

 weeds, especially quack grass and dodder. 



On proper soil the crop had fair success and all the growers interested pro- 

 nounced it profitable, particularly on certain kinds of soil. Gravelly or slaty 

 clay loams with good natural uuderdrainage and gently sloping to provide sur- 

 face drainage gave the best results. 



The valuation of brewing barley in its relation to agriculture and bre\7- 

 ery use and with special reference to nitrogen content, R. Wahl {Amer. 

 Breuers' Rer., 21 (1907), No. 6, pp. 27Jf-27S). — This paper was presented at 

 the International Agricultural Congress. Vienna, 1907. The author discusses 

 European standards as not applicable to American barley, the I'elative high 

 albumen content of the most valued American barleys, the barleys produced in 

 various sections of our country, and the albumen content of barley and the 

 enzymatic energy of malts. 



A consideration of these different points leads the author to propose a system 

 of valuation for the barleys produced in this country. He claims that they 

 should be divided into 3 classes with reference to brewing quality, variety, and 

 zone of culture. In the first and highest class he would place the 6-rowed 

 barleys with an albumen content of fi'om 10.5 to 14 per cent, medium size and 

 weight of berry, and medium thickness of husks, and derived from the Man- 

 shury barley introduced into Wisconsin and grown principally in Iowa, Mich) 

 gan, South Dakota, Wisconsin, partly in New York, Ohio, and Colorado, and 

 also in Quebec and Ontario in Canada. In the second class he would include 

 6-rowed barleys relatively low in albumen content, with a percentage below 

 10.5, the grains being of large size and weight, the husks thick, derived from 

 Bay brewing barley, said to be indigenous to Califoniia, and from Utah White 

 Club, and grown principally in California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, 

 Colorado, and North Dakota. The third class would contain 2-rowed barleys 

 with au albumen content below 11.5 per cent, the berry of large size and weight, 



