228 EXPERIMENT STATION" RECORD. [Vol.36 



feet. The quartermaster's rule shows a variation of 25 per cent, except when 

 used to measure medium-full, low stacks, in which case it compares favorably 

 with the Department rule. The Frye-Bruhm rule shows a variation of 24 per 

 cent and compares favorably with the Department rule in the measurement of 

 the full-rounded type of stack only. 



Studies of the rate of settling indicate that hay in the stack after the third 

 day will suffer a further loss in height of approximately 17 per cent in 146 days. 



Experiments with potatoes and root crops, P. R. Fedorov {Bezenchuk. 

 Selsk. Khoz. Opytn. Sta., No. 70 (1915), pp. 9).— In culture tests with potatoes 

 the average yield for five years was largest on ground plowed from 8 to 9 in. 

 deep, while the average for ten years was in favor of plowing to a depth of 7 in. 

 Experiments with tubers of different sizes for seed resulted in favor of whole 

 tubers of large or medium size and from the use of small potatoes planted two 

 in a hill. Planting 22 in. apart each way gave the most satisfactory results. 

 Hoeing and hilling the soil around the plants proved beneficial except in locali- 

 ties subject to drought. 



A comparison was made of dry manure, manure ash, ordinary barnyard 

 manure, barnyard manure and Thomas phosphate, and Tliomas phosphate used 

 alone. The use of dry manure gave the greatest yield in 1915 and also on the 

 average for the three preceding years. 



The varieties tested, given in decreasing order of yield, were Richter Im- 

 perator, Professor Maerker, Alcohol, Six- Weeks, White Elephant, Local Yellow, 

 White Flour Ball, Local Pink, Mayflower, White Star, Delicatesse, Sunrise, 

 Count Razumovski, Blue Giant, and Professor Wohltmann. Richter Imperator, 

 Professor Maerker, and Alcohol produced the greatest quantity of starch. 



Beet seed was sown after soaking and the plants were thinned the middle of 

 May and the middle of June to a distance of 17 in. in the row. The Pink half- 

 sugar beet produced the best yield. The Gerand carrot proved most productive 

 and resistant to insect pests. 



Studies in Indian oil seeds. — I, Safflower and mustard, A. and Gabkielle 

 L. C. Howard, and A. R. Khan {Mem. Dept. Agr. india, Bot. Ser., 7 (1915), 

 No. 7, pp. 235-272, pU. 6, figs. 2). — This article discusses the economic value 

 of Indian safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) and Indian mustard or rai (Bras- 

 sica juncea), describes the blossoms of these plants, presents a classification 

 and description of types, and reports the results of observations on pollination 

 and cross fertilization. 



Observations on the blossoms of safflower under bags and nets and unpro- 

 tected led to the conclusion that insects were not necessary for pollination, 

 provided that air movement and the natural humidity were not affected. Under 

 parchment-paper bags the average number of seeds set per head was small as 

 compared with blossoms covered with nets and those allowed to develop in the 

 open. A test of confining blossoms in lamp chimneys closed below and partially 

 opened above and allowing blossoms to develop in free air to determine the 

 effect of increased humidity on setting showed a marked inhibiting effect of 

 the moist, confined air in the lamp chimney, but it is thought possible that 

 temperature is a factor also and that the pollen grains do not germinate readily 

 in moist, hot air. The effect of the season on the setting of the seed was found 

 to be quite marked. The best results in nearly every case were secured from 

 early planting. A study of 321 plants of four different types resulted in the 

 determination of 52 heterozygotes, or 16.5 per cent. In connection with this 

 indication of a high percentage of self-fertilization it is pointed out that ap- 

 parently natural crossing is not essential in maintaining the vigor of the crop. 



A study of the oil content of the types of Indian safflower showed a range 

 from 13.86 to 30.19 per cent. The data showed further that there was no 



