636 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol, 36 



discussion of the morphological and cultural characteristics of the plant. The 

 area grown to gram every year is approximately 18,000,000 acres and the 

 average yield is 688 lbs. per acre. 



Extensive experiments have been conducted at Pusa to determine the cul- 

 tural requirements of the crop. Ir has been determined that gram does best 

 on the light soils, and that extensive aeration of the soil is imperative for 

 its successful production. Packing the soil, heavy soils, and too high soil 

 moisture content are limiting factors in gram production. The harmful effects 

 do not appear until flowering time, when the plant will suddenly wdlt and the 

 production of an apparently vigorous crop fall off quite appreciably. In 

 addition to these limiting soil factors, humidity and rainfall also act to limit 

 production. High humidity at flowering time results in a greatly reduced 

 setting of pods. 



The gram plant is normally a self-fertilized plant, although natural cross- 

 fertilization is known to occur. Several such crosses are reported as occurring 

 at Pusa. The 25 types so far isolated at Pusa are classified, and a key arranged 

 for their identification. Brief descriptive notes for each type are given. A 

 great number of variations in color of blossom and seed are to be noted between 

 the different types. Other striking differences are to be found in the habit 

 of growth and in the root development. The quality of the seed increased 

 as the color of the seed approaches the lighter shades. 



A report of the cultural experiments of the German Potato Culture Station 

 for 1915, C. voN EcKENBKECHEK (Ztsclir. Spiritusindus., 1916, Ergdnzunysh., 

 pp. 3-52). — This is a detailed report of the potato culture experiments con- 

 ducted by this station at its outlying experiment fields for 1915. The plans 

 of the experiments are given in detail, together with the tabulated results 

 with 19 varieties at 32 experiment fields situated in 14 provinces. The meteoro- 

 logical conditions prevailing at each substation from April 1 to October 31 

 are given in tabular form and discussed, and the results of the experiments 

 since 1892 are summarized for purposes of comparison. 



The average yield of all varieties for 1915 showed an increase of 9.7 per 

 cent over that of 1914, but the average starch content showed a decrease of 

 0.6 per cent. Some notes are also given on disease resistance of the tested 

 varieties at the various substations. 



Cuttings for the propagation of potatoes, L. Kiessling {Deut. Landw. 

 Presse, 43 (1916), No. 4, p. 25). — Some notes are given on the literature per- 

 taining to the propagation of potatoes by the use of vegetative cuttings other 

 than the tubers. Numerous tests with different varieties are cited showing 

 the possibilities of high production from a small quantity of the mother 

 stock. The use of potato seedlings for propagation work of this sort is also 

 discussed. 



Potato variety tests at Kloster Hadmersleben, F. Heine (Ztschr. Spiritus- 

 indus., 1916, Erfidnzungsh., pp. 53-61). — This is a report of variety tests with 

 14 early, 36 medium late, and 38 late varieties at the Kloster Hadmersleben 

 experiment station for the year 1915. The meteorological conditions for the 

 years 1912 to 1915 are given in tabular form, as well as the average production 

 of the highest yielding varieties for the last five years, and a description 

 of each variety. 



Methods and aims in potato breeding, P. Holdefleiss {Illus. Landw. Ztg., 

 36 {1916), No. 11, pp. 106-109, figs. 17). — This article discusses in a general 

 way the necessity and value of selection for improving the potato crop. A 

 number of varieties are illustrated and brief descriptions given. It is recom- 

 mended that some definite scheme for tabulating the characteristics of the 

 varieties studied be adopted, and a plan for making such reports is submitted. 



