836 EXPERIMENT STATION EErORD. 



of potash formed part of the complete fertilizer the results with reference to 

 the straw were tlie same but the elevation of chlorin was less pronounced. In 

 the case of the grahi ash, muriate of potash had less intiuence ui)on the com- 

 position than other constituents. The use of dissolved phosphate apparently 

 caused a pronounced increase in the proportion of ph()Si)horic acid in the ash of 

 both grain and straw, Avhile the influence of the associated sulphuric acid was 

 not reflected in any distinct elevation In the percentages of this constituent in 

 the ashes of the crops treated with the phosphate, nor was the lime present in 

 these ashes in so large a proportion as in the ashes of crops otherwise treated. 

 While the major portion of the mineral matters in dissolved boueblack con- 

 sists of calcium sulphate, and it therefore might be supposed that the lime and 

 sulphuric acid in the ash would exhibit some change in proportion as the phos- 

 phate was applied, no direct influence was detected in the composition of the 

 ash of either the grain or the straw. The use of the potash and the complete 

 fertilizer indicated a marked relative decrease of silica, the maximum percent- 

 age of this constituent appearing in the ash from the unmanured crop. The 

 proportion of phosphoric acid to total di"y matter was slightly increased by the 

 use of even the nonphosi^hatic fertilizers, but where phosphates were used the 

 increase was very much more marked. It is concluded that on this soil the use 

 of potassic fertilizers has a lesser influence on the composition of the grain than 

 the use of phosphatic fertilizers, but that its effects upon the composition of 

 the straw are almost as marked as those of the phosphates. 



From determinations of the actual amounts of fertilizer constituents re- 

 moved it is shown that nitrogen applied alone slightly increased nitrogen con- 

 sumption and dei)ressed potash consumption, that potash alone greatly increased 

 potash consumption and slightly depressed nitrogen consumption, and that phos- 

 phoric acid a])plied alone led to the consumption of nearly doultle the quantity 

 of phosphoric acid used by the unfertilized crop and also to the consumption of 

 distinctly greater quantities of nitrogen and potash. Neither the use of nitro- 

 gen nor of potash alone had a marked influence on the phosphoric acid consump- 

 tion. The use of the complete fertilizer led to an increase in the consumption 

 of each of the three constituents in amounts greater than the algebraic sum of 

 the increases caused by the use of nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash singly. 

 As a one-sided fertilization has been continued for almost 2.5 years upon these 

 plats, the conclusion that the complete fertilizer is most in'oductive and econom- 

 ical under all circumstances is not considered warranted. 



A method of breeding early cotton to escape boll-weevil damag'e, R. L. 

 Bennett (U. K. Dr/it. Ai/r., FnrmrrK' Bill. Sl'i, pp. SO, fii/s. 1G). — This bulletin 

 is based upon the results of 4 years' investigations, which show that by seed 

 selection early and rapid fruiting and ]u-oductiveness in cotton may be de- 

 Aeloped and maintained, and that by this method weevil damages may be pre- 

 vented or reduced. The type recommended for early and rapid fruiting and 

 for productiveness to escape the boll weevil is described as follows: 



" The first fruit limb must be low, not higher than the fifth or sixth .ioint 

 above the seed-leaf .Ioint. The wood or primary limbs nmst be low, and it is 

 desirable that they should not exceed four in number. The first limb should 

 not be higher than the fifth or sixth joint above the seed-leaf joint. The joints 

 in the main stem, in the fruit limbs, and in the primary limbs must be short, 

 not exceeding 1 to 3 in. in the lower part of the plant. Fruit limbs should 

 grow at the successive joints of both the main stem and the wood limbs. Fruit 

 limbs should be continuous in growth for continuous fruiting until the plant 

 is matured. The largest leaves should not be wider than 5 or G in. across at 

 right angles to the midrib." 



