332 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD. [Vol. 30 



Significant accuracy in recording genetic data, E. M. East (Ame7\ Jour. 

 Bot., 3 (1916), No. 5, pp. 211-222). — This is a discussion of supposed disagree- 

 ments between the statements of findings by the author as previously noted 

 (E. S. R., 29, p. 216), and those made by Goodspeed and Clausen (E. S. R., 

 34, p. 225). 



FIELD CROPS. 



[Work with field crops], L. Smith {Rpt. Agr. Expt. Sta. St. Croix, 1914-15, 

 pp. 1-28, pJ. 1) . — Experiments with sugar cane, cotton, and a number of minor 

 crops are described. 



Work with sugar cane included fertilizer experiments, cultural tests, com- 

 parisons of varieties and seedling canes, and bud selection. The fertilizer 

 experiments conducted in several parts of the island showed, in general, that 

 the use of commercial fertilizers can not be relied upon to increase the re- 

 turns. This is considered as probably due to the small rainfall, which sets a 

 low limit to the growth of the cane. In a series of cultural tests cane was 

 grown in rows 4.5 ft. apart, at intervals of 2, 3, and 4 ft. in the row. The 

 closest planting gave an increase in yield of cane of 20.7 per cent and the 

 medium distance 15.5 per cent over the widest spacing. Three of five bud 

 selections gave a higher yield than ordinary cane, both as plants and ratoons. 

 The results of trials of imported and other varieties of cane are given in tables. 

 Canes B. 4596, B. 6204, B. 7169, and Sealy Seedling are mentioned as giving 

 particularly good results. 



Tests of 21 Sea Island cotton selections showed a range in yield of from 

 208 to 690 lbs. of seed cotton per acre. A 3-acre plat of the first generation 

 hybrid. Sea Island X Sakellarides, planted the middle of August, yielded 

 3,139 lbs. of seed cotton with the quality equal to that of good Sea Island. 

 The first generation hybrid. Sea Island X St. Croix Native, which was prom- 

 ising a year ago, turned out a complete failure on account of boll dropping. 



Cultural tests of maize, imphee, alfalfa, velvet beans, Sudan grass, sorghum 

 varieties, and spineless cactus are briefly noted. 



[Fertilizer experiments], A. W. K. de Jong {Dept. Landb., Nijv. en Handel 

 [Dutch East Indies], Medcd. Agr. Chem. Lab., No. 13 (1915), pp. ^).— The re- 

 sults of fertilizer experiments with cassava, rice, and citronella grass are re- 

 ported and briefly discussed. 



It was found that as compared with sulphate of ammonia nitrate of soda 

 was taken up more readily by cassava plants. Lime nitrogen as a fertilizer for 

 rice was practically as effective as sulphate of ammonia, while molasses pro- 

 duced no advantage. The use of sulphuric acid applied on rice fields did not 

 appear to produce an injurious effect on the yield. A relatively insoluble 

 phosphate and double superphosphate applied in the ratio of 3:1, respectively, 

 as fertilizers for rice were about equally effective. Volcanic rock used as a 

 fertilizer on citronella grass produced no effect, while a complete fertilizer 

 application gave the largest increase of the different fertilizers tested. 



Contributions to the principles of breeding certain agricultural plants. — 

 V, Grasses, C. Fkuwirth (Naturiv. Ztschr. Forst u. Landiv., 14 (1916), No. 

 3-4, pp. 127-149). — Continuing previous work,^ this article discusses observa- 

 tions on the conditions of blossoming and experiments in fertilization of the 

 more important agricultural grasses, including species of Dactylis, Poa, Fes- 

 tuca, and Lolium, together with Phleum pratense, Alopccurus pratensis, Avena 

 flavescens, and Arrhenatherum elatius. 



iNaturw. Ztschr. Land u. Forstw., 1 (190.^). No. 10, pp. .^97-404; 2 (1904), Nos. 1, 

 pp. 18^7 ; 6, pp. 241-253 ; 4 (1906), No. 1, pp. 50-55, pi. 1. 



