FIELD CROPS. 223 



value to tlie best dried corn fodder. Tlie largest .yrowiug- variety tliat 

 is reasonably sure to ripen before Irost is the best one for the silo — to be 

 cut after the grain is glazed. 



The silo should have rigid, air-tight walls, and a depth of 30 ft. or more, 

 with an allowance of not more than 5 S([. ft. of feeding surface per cow. 



Cross rotation experiments, W. M. Hays {Minnesota Sta. Bui. 46, 

 pp..i09-o7:}). — In 1S94. on (> series of 12 plats each, Avere planted G crops, 

 1 to each series. They were field peas, mangel-wurzels, potatoes, 

 flax, wheat, and corn. In 1895 the same crops were planted across the 

 series of ])lats, giving for each crop duplicate plats sej^arated by 5 

 others. A diagram is given of the plats, showing also the yields. 

 Mangel-wurzels gave the best yield after peas; M'heat and flax after 

 potatoes; and corn, potatoes, and peas after corn. The author states 

 that the hoed crops — corn, potatoes, and mangels — had an especially 

 good effect in preparing the land for other crops, while the reverse was 

 true with flax, wheat, and even held peas. 



On recent breeding of cultivated agricultural plants (Braitnschw. landw. Ztg., 

 64 {1S96), Xo. S4, pp. 139,140)^ — The author describes his experiences iu increasing 

 the iirodnctive capacity of wheat by improved methods of culture and by cross fer- 

 tilization. In the latter case he used a square-head variety as the staminate parent 

 for orossinix with the ordinary varieties of German wheat. 



Variety tests of barley, W. M. Hays (Minnesota Sta. BuJ. 40, pp. 350, 351). — 

 The yields for 2 years of grain and straw and other data are tabulated for 34 varie- 

 ties. French Chevalier gave the highest yield of the named varieties, followed by 

 Odessa, Champion of Vermont, Highland Chief, Black Hnlless, and Salzer. 



Corn experiments, W. M. Hays {Minnesota Sta. Bui. 40, pp. 331-342). — Tabulated 

 data are given of a test at the station and on a farm elsewhere of 18 named varieties 

 of corn, and of 22 samjiles received from farmers, with general remarks on dent, 

 tlint, and sweet varieties. A statemejit is made iu regard to the method used at the 

 station for improving varieties of corn. Drying seed corn by artificial heat is recom- 

 mended. In a trial on 8 plats of dejiths of plowing and subsoiling the best yields 

 were on the plats plowed 4 in. deep. 



Variety tests of oats, "\V. ;M. Hays {Minnesota Sta. Bid. 46, pp. 352, 353).— The 

 yields for 2 years of grain and straw and other data are tabulated for 63 varieties. 

 The largest yields at the station farm in 1895 were given by Giant Side, Wide Awake, 

 Haggett White, Early Swedish. White Kussian, and Improved Ligowo. 



Variety tests of field peas, W. M. Hays {Minnesota Sta. Bid. 46, p. 354). — Yields 

 of grain and other data are tabulated for a field test of 33 varieties of jieas grown 

 at the station and on a jirivate farm. The largest yield was given by White Canada 

 Field, 20.3 bu., followed by Alpha, lUne Prussian, Crown, and Green Canada Field. 



Influence of manure on the starch content of potatoes, Comdx {I'rofj. Ayr. et 

 Tit., 20 (ISOO), Xo. .;7, pp. 310-312). 



Variety tests of rape, W. M. Hays {Minnesota Sla. Bid. 46, pp. 300, 301).— The 

 period of growth and the yield of green forage per acre are given for 11 varieties of 

 rape, including 4 from Japan. Dwarf Essex gave the largest yield, 18.3 tons per 

 acre. 



Field root crops, W. M. Hays {Minnesota Sta. Bid. 46, 2>p- 350-360). — The period 

 of growth and the yield per acre are tabulated for 12 varieties of mangels, 2 of sugar 

 beets, 8 of turnips, 4 of ruta-bagas, aud 3 of carrots. 



Planted at depths of i, 1, and l.V in., mangel, ruta-baga, and carrot seed gave the 

 largest yields with the shallowest ]danting, aud turnijis at 1 and 11- in. deep. With 



