1917] FIELD CROPS. 735 



The investment of $5.73 in a complete fertilizer applied to wheat gave a crop 

 Increase for the rotation having a net profit of $13.51. The use of acid phos- 

 phate and muriate of potash showed a net profit of $12.79. Acid phosphate alone 

 has given slightly better results than nitrate of soda and acid phosphate, and 

 also than raw rock phosphate. 



Large increases in yield of both corn and wheat from the use of manure are 

 noted, together with the high values placed on the manure on the basis of these 

 increases. The net vahie of yard manure per ton was estimated to be $2.68 and 

 that of stall manure $3.15. By the addition of 200 lbs. of acid phosphate per 

 acre the net value of stall manure was increased to $6.26 per ton after paying 

 the cost of the fertilizei-. 



Results of top-dressing and plowing under manure for wheat indicated a value 

 »f manure for top-dressing of $5.54 per ton and when turned under of $6.15 per 

 ton. 



Further data are given showing the average yields and the average annual 

 values of various crops grown continuously or in rotation for the purpose of de- 

 termining the cost of producing them. 



A general review of crop improvement work given by F. A. Spragg, includes 

 notes on selection work with wheat, beans, peas, and alfalfa. 



Investigations in inheritance of shape and size in beans are noted. The data 

 obtained to date indicate a Mendelian segregation of one pair of characters 

 in size inheritance, large size being dominant. 



Individual alfalfa plants were observed setting new leaves on old stems 

 that had been defoliated by leaf spot, the plants attaining maturity and .setting 

 seed. The progeny of the best of these plants is being propagated. 



The extension to nursery work of methods involving the coeflflcient of yield 

 previously described (E. S. R., 34, p. 735), is noted. 



[Field crop experiments], F. Watts (Imp. Dept. Agr. 'West Indies, Rpt. Bot. 

 Sta. [etc.] Antigua, 1914-15, pp. 5-20). — Variety tests with sweet potatoes, 

 cassavas, eddoes, tannias, yams, corn, and cotton are reported, as well as tillage 

 experiments, distance-of-planting tests, fertilizer experiments, and plant breed- 

 ing experiments with corn. The plant breeding experiments consist of selec- 

 tion work on local corn, acclimatization of imported varieties, and the propa- 

 gation of new varieties. In cotton selection work a hybrid has been developed 

 from a cross of Sea Island with St. Eustatius which gives much promise for the 

 future. Brief notes are given on onions, soy beans, garden beans, and peas. 



Report on field experiments, 1914, R. M. Wilson and J. H. Smith {Essex 

 Ed. Committee, Rpt. Field Expts., WlJf, pp. 5-.5^). — This is a report of co- 

 operative field experiments conducted in Essex for 1914, including variety tests 

 with winter wheat, barley, oats, potatoes, mangels, corn, and peas, several 

 experiments noted below, and some minor experiments with sorghum, alfalfas, 

 and western-wolths grass. 



It was found that a change of seed had considerable influence on the potato 

 crop and that seed secured from Scotland gave the best results. Fertilizer tests 

 with mangels indicated that nitrate of soda and acid phosphate increase the 

 yields. Basic slag proved superior to acid phosphate on heavy soils. Marrow- 

 Stem kale and kohl-rabi proved superior to the other green crops tested, due to 

 their drought-resistant qualities. Some notes are given on the feeding value of 

 different types of flax, together with a brief discussion of the cultivation and 

 harvesting of the crop. Riga seed grown in Holland is recommended for plant- 

 ing. In fertilize!- tests with pasture land applications of sodium nitrate gave 

 better results than acid phosphate. 



Fall-sown grains in Maryland and Virginia, T. R. Stanton (U. S. Dept. 

 Agr., Farmers' Bui. 786 (1917), pp. 23, figs. 5).— This discusses methods and 



