842 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



istry of this Departiiiont experiments were conducted to show the influence 

 of environment upon the composition of sweet corn. Two varieties, Crosby and 

 Stowell Evergreen, were grown in South Carolina, Maryland, New Jersey, Con 

 necticut, and Maine. From 20 to 100 analyses were made of each variety at 

 each station when the corn was in prime eating or canning condition. South 

 Carolina produced corn with the highest sugar content, while Maryland was 

 second. New Jersey gave the lowest percentage, although this is believed to be 

 caused by a severe drought occurring just previous to the tasseling of the corn. 

 The results indicate that sweet corn may follow the habits of sugar cane rather 

 than those of sugar beets. 



A study was made, by methods which are described, to determine whether 

 any organized ferments were causing the disturbance which prevented the ap- 

 plication of the usual methods of determining sugars. *' These results show 

 that enzyms were present and very active. All of the sugar can be gotten in 

 solution by using water as a solvent, or water and alcohol; but in both cases 

 the sugars increased, varying as the length of treatment varies. The alcohol 

 reduces the enzymic action very perceptibly, but does not prevent it. By adding 

 the alcohol and water boiling, and boiling for an hour, solution of the sugars 

 is complete and action of enzyms is prevented. 



Data are given relative to a method proposed by Girard of extracting sugar 

 at a vei-y low temperature in order to avoid the action of the enzyms; the 

 action of enzyms on potato starch; and an analytical study of kernels of corn 

 relative to the location of sugars and enzyms. 



In 1905 Stowell Evergreen and Crosby sweet corn were planted on adjoining 

 plats. With the Crosby over 50 per cent of the young plants were destroyed 

 by wireworms, but only 2 per cent of the Stowell. As other conditions were 

 equal, the failure of the worms to destroy the Stowell variety was attributed to 

 varietal resistance. 



Lettuce culture, C. F. Austin and E. W. Halstead {Kxiac. Cent. Agron. 

 Cuba Bill. 8, PI). 31, j)ls. 3). — This bulletin contains brief popular directions on 

 lettuce culture from seed sowing to harvesting, and concludes with a descrip- 

 tion (together with synonyms, confusing terms, and historical notes) of all 

 the important types and varieties of lettuce as found in the work on American 

 Varieties of Lettuce by W. W. Tracy, Jr. (E. S. R., 16, p. 871). 



A Spanish edition of the bulletin is also issued. 



Fruit culture in the Dutch East Indies, J. H. Heijl and C. Kwast (Btil. 

 Kolon. Mils. Ilaarhin, WOT, Nu. 21, pp. 209, fujs. 20).— This bulletin consists 

 of two prize essays by the above authors, respectively, on the subject of fruit 

 culture in the Dutch East Indies. Both essays include a general botanical 

 account of the various plant organs, chapters with regard to general methods 

 of propagating, planting, etc., and specific notes on the culture of the more im- 

 portant varieties peculiar to that country. 



Fruits of Ontario, 1906 {Toronto, 1907, pp. 21.j, figs. 8JJ).— This book deals 

 with the various orchard and small fruits in Ontario, including their geograph- 

 ical distribution, cultural directions, and varieties recommended for planting, 

 with descriptions and illustrations. 



The descriptions and illustrations of the fruits are by L. Woolverton and were 

 prepared, with few exceptions, directly from the fruits themselves as grown 

 in the province. The illustrations are confined to those varieties recommended 

 on one or other of the lists of fruits for planting in Ontario (E. S. R., 17, p. 

 972). The notes on tree, bush, and vine were largely made from records taken 

 by the same writer during the past 10 years in experimental work. 



