232 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



With reference to the 2 species T'. unguiculata and V. catjang, the author 

 states that " it may be concluded from the facts so far known regarding these 

 species that both T. unguiculata and V. catjang originally came from a I'egion 

 including and extending from India to Persia and the southern part of the 

 Trans-Caspian district, and that the Persians called one or both of them by the 

 name ' lubia ' and applied that name to T'. ungidculata in northwest India after 

 their conquest of that region. The cultivation of V. unguiculata extended to 

 China at a very early date, but the distribution of at least one of the species 

 with the name ' lubia " had extended from the region of its origin at the begin- 

 ning of the Christian era to Arabia and Asia Minor and had reached some of the 

 Mediterranean countries of Europe at about the same time, but did not become 

 known in central Europe until the middle of the sixteenth century." 



The panicle as a factor in breeding oats and in the identification of varie- 

 ties, C. Fruwirth {FiihUng's Landic. Ztg., 36 (1907), No. 9, pp. 289-301). — This 

 article describes the various forms of oat panicles and discusses the different 

 characters peculiar to each as observed by the author and other investigators. 



The author found from studying individual panicles that the upper spikelets 

 produced more grains than the lower ones, and that the number of abortive 

 spikelets and l)lossoms is greatest in the lower portion of the panicle and de- 

 creases as the spikelets are located nearer the top. • 



The author also observed variations in the hairiness at the base of the kernels. 

 In some varieties the hairs were long and numerous, in others long but few, in 

 some short, varying from numerous to few, and in others short and very few. 



The proportion by weight of the hulls was studied and it was found that a 

 comparison can be made only when one form of kernels is considered. It is 

 pointed out, for instance, that if the proixtrtion of hulls is to be taken as a factor 

 in plant selection for breeding purposes, the grains should all be taken from 

 corresponding portions of the panicles. 



► . It was further observed that in addition to the spreading panicle and side- 

 oats forms, a form may appear in which all the spikelets extend in the same 

 direction, but which is, nevertheless, readily distinguishable from the true side- 

 oats form. The absolute weight of the hull, as well as of the naked kernels, 

 was found to increase from the lower to the upper part of the panicle. The 

 double grains showed the highest percentage of hull, being followed in the 

 order mentioned by outer kernels, single grains, and those produced toward 

 the interior portion of the head. 



It is advised that in breeding pure botanical forms the character of the 

 spreading panicle and the hairiness of the outer kernels be considered. In the 

 determination of the average weight of the grains or the hulls of a selected plant 

 it is thought best to use only the outer kernels taken from the same relative 

 position in the panicle. For crossing purposes it is advised to select the outer 

 blossoms of spikelets in the upper whorls, as these are most likely to produce 

 grains. 



Pisum maritimum, G. Becker (Fiihling's Landic. Ztg., 50 (1907), Xo. 9, pp. 

 325-328). — A description of this plant is given, and the results of a few pot 

 culture tests are reported. These experiments were conducted with the view 

 of determining the value of this plant for cultural purposes. One of the plants 

 attained a height of SO cm. The root nodules located on the fine branch roots 

 are egg shaped. The plants were not free from insect attacks. 



Culture tests under humid conditions of the violet variety of Solanum 

 commersoni and Giant Blue and Richter Imperator potatoes, P. Vincey 

 (Jour. Hoc. Xat. Hort. France. //. set:. 8 (1907), Feb., pp. 92-97). — The author 

 concludes from the results secured that the violet strain of Solanum connnersoni 

 is particularly valuable for sewage farms on very permeable soils, which are 



