FIELD CROPS. 41 



of sulphate and applied in varying amounts and at different times. 

 The canes were planted on twentieth-acre plats in December, 1894, and 

 harvested in April, 1896. The application of sulphate of ammonia, 

 supplying 00 lbs. of nitrogen per acre, in connection with mineral 

 manures, gave the most advantageous returns in the nitrogen series 

 of experiments. Dried blood, up to the equivalent of 60 lbs. of nitro- 

 gen per acre, was most beneficial when applied during the earlier 

 stages of cane growth. Sulphate of ammonia was fouud preferable to 

 nitrate of soda as a source of nitrogen. The application of finely 

 ground basic slag, furnishing 100 lbs. of phosphate per acre, applied 

 during the early stages of cane growth, increased the yield of sugar, 

 while the application of superphosphate caused a decrease in the yield. 

 In the potash experiments the use of the sulphate, at the rate of 60 

 lbs. of potash per acre, produced the best results, and when applied in 

 connection with nitrogen and phosphates largely increased the yield of 

 cane and sugar. 



Among the different varieties Caledonia Queen, Queensland Creole, 

 and Seedling 7 yielded a rich juice and were free from rotten cane. 



Variety tests of wheat, oats, and potatoes, G. C. Watson and 

 E. H. Hess (Pennsylvania Sta. Bid. 39, pp. 15). — This is in continuation 

 of work previously reported (E. S. R., 9, p. 832). The variety tests 

 were made on twentieth-acre plats. The preparation and manuring of 

 the soil and the seeding and cultivation of all plats of the different 

 crops were as nearly alike as possible. 



Wheat. — This season 3L varieties were grown. The yield of straw 

 followed quite closely the production of grain. The Mealy variety pro- 

 duced the lai gest yield (42.93 bu. per acre), and the Reliable Minne 

 sota the smallest (29.49 bu.), the one producing about 45 per cent more 

 than the other. During a six-years' test the average yield of 5 of the 

 most productive varieties was 24.4 per cent greater than the 5 least 

 productive varieties. Of 16 varieties tested for eight years Reliable, 

 Eulcaster, Ontario Wonder, Wyandotte Red, and Deitz Long Berry 

 Red, in the order given, were the most productive, the average yields 

 being over 30 bu. per acre. The results from varieties tested two, four, 

 and five years are given in tables. 



Oats. — Seventeen varieties were grown on duplicate plats, the results 

 for each variety being the average of 2 plats. All varieties were sown 

 at the rate of 8 pecks per acre on April 22. Prize Taker and Everett's 

 Superior Scotch were ripe July 17; Improved American July 26, and 

 Brancher, Buckbee New Illinois, and Black Tartarian July 29. All 

 other varieties ripened about July 22. Henderson Clydesdale produced 

 the largest yield (60.94 bu. per acre), and was followed in the order 

 mentioned by Improved American, Buckbee New Illinois, Japan, Bal- 

 tic White, German White, Victoria, and Wide Awake, the latter yield- 

 ing 58.09 bu. 



Potatoes. — The yields of 39 varieties of potatoes tested varied from 



