1917] FIELD CROPS. 229 



antagonism between high oil content and the full development of the red color- 

 ing matter, as indicated by the faded florets. 



In selection experiments with Indian mustard, 197 out of 398 single plant 

 cultures, or 49.5 per cent, bred true. Observations on. 1,067 plants of five 

 different types showed that only 151 were heterozygotes. The results of hy- 

 bridization experiments with Indian and Burma mustard showed that in four 

 out of six cases the Fi was taller than the taller parent, while in the other two 

 it was intermediate. When types with close and spreading pods were crossed 

 the close arrangement prevailed in the progeny. Indian mustards with divided 

 leaves crossed with Burma forms with entire leaves gave an intermediate Pi 

 and a series in F2. The Fi of a cross of late and early forms was intermediate. 



Growth of legumes as influenced by lime, A. Lapakan y Layosa {Philippine 

 Agr. and Forester, 4 {1916), No. 9-10, pp. 181-184). — The results are reported 

 of liming experiments conducted at the College of Agriculture at Los Banos, 

 caustic lime being applied at the rates of 1,500 and 2,500 lbs. per hectare. The 

 use of lime proved beneficial for the production of psophocarpus, soy beans, 

 and kulthi, but cowpeas and mongos gave better yields on the unlimed plats. 

 The application of 1,500 lbs. per hectare gave the better results with psopho- 

 carpus and soy beans and the heavier application with kulthi. The effect of 

 lime was more marked during rainy than dry weather. 



Abaca fiber, R. B. Espino {Philippine Agr. and Forester, 4 {1916), No. 9-10, 

 pp. 200-216, fig. 1, pis. 3). — The results of an anatomical study of abaca and 

 of some cultural tests made with the crop are reported. The standard grades 

 of abaca strips and of abaca fiber are briefly described. 



In summarizing the article the author states that the erect stem of abaca 

 contains no sclerenchyma strands near the epidermis, since it is enclo.sed and 

 supported by many overlapping leaf sheaths strong enough to hold up the leaf 

 laminae, flowers, and fruit in their proper places. The width of the sheaths of 

 a trunk is stated to increase from the outermost to one-third or one-half of the 

 way to the middle, and decreases from there inward. The yield of fiber varies 

 with the width of the sheath. Fibers from the edges of the sheath were deter- 

 mined to be stronger per unit of weight than those from the middle part of the 

 same sheath. The strongest fiber was obtained from the widest sheath. It is 

 stated that the most fiber strands are situated near the outer epidermis, fol- 

 lowed on the inside by sclerenchyma strands with some conducting tissue. 

 Large vascular bundles are found in the internal portion of the sheath. Fiber 

 composed of cells having thin walls and wide laminse was found weaker than 

 fiber with cells having thicker walls and narrower laminae, and fiber composed 

 of long cells weaker than that composed of shorter ones. 



In a field test plants exposed to the sun and wind yielded almost double the 

 amount of fiber produced by those under shade and protected from the wind. 

 It was found that the formation of fiber was greatly influenced by cleaning the 

 plantation. 



A study of four strains of beets, V. Bolotov {Zhur. Opytn. Agron., 16 {1915), 

 No. 2, pp. 106-111). — Results of experiments are reported showing that the size 

 of cells in beets is a hereditary character, and that beets with small cells are 

 generally higher in sugar content than those in which the cellular structure is 

 of larger dimensions. 



Dwarf broom corns, B. E. Rothgeb {TJ. 8. Dept. Agr., Farmers' Bui. 768 

 {1916), pp. 16, figs. 7). — This gives detailed information on the production of 

 the dwarf broom corns. The harvesting and marketing of the crop are fully 

 discussed. 



A study of the effects of commercial fertilizers on com, P. L. Monjellano 

 {Philippine Agr. and Forester, 4 {1916), No. 9-10, pp. 217-230).— The results 



