38 EXPEEIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.38 



priming amounted to 240 lbs. of cured leaf per acre, with a crop value of 

 $49.03. The average cost of harvesting tobacco by priming was estimated to 

 be $12.79 per acre, or $1.41 per 100 lbs. of cured leaf, for the average yield 

 obtained, while harvesting by cutting was estimated to have cost $9.08 per 

 acre, or $1.36 per 100 lbs. of cured leaf secured. 



Other advantages claimed for the priming method are that the tobacco land 

 can be maintained in a higher state of fertility v?ithout serious danger of 

 injury to the quality of the cured leaf ; that tobacco for priming can be topped 

 from two to four leaves higher than for cutting, and on rich land from four to 

 six leaves higher ; and that less barn room, storage room, and fuel are required 

 per pound of cured leaf. 



[Methods of wheat culture], H. Devaux, Menegaux, E. Scheibaux, and Tis- 

 SERAND {Compt. Rend. Acad. Agr. France, 3 (1917), Nos. 3, pp. 93-103; 4, pp. 

 108-113; Prog. Agr. et Vit. {Ed. I'Est-Centre), S8 {1911), No. 7, pp. 155-160; 

 Vie Agr. et Rurale, 7 {1917), No. 10, pp. 175-178). — The author reports studies 

 in the intensive cultivation of wheat on gravelly soils near Bordeaux. The 

 plan of the experiment involved (1) early seeding, (2) seeding in rows suffi- 

 ciently far apart, 30 to 40 cm. (11.8 to 15.7 in.) or more, to enable the plants 

 to secure a vigorous growth and to furnish them a larger feeding area, (3) a 

 hilling up of the plants two or three times, the first time about three weeks after 

 seeding, to stimulate the production of new roots and especially of new stems, 

 and (4) the careful preparation of the seed bed. 



Observations are noted on seedings of four varities made August 19, 1916, 

 which responded very quickly to the treatment outlined. In January, 1917, 

 6 square meters (7.18 sq. yds.) of a variety known as Bordeaux Red Hybrid 

 were cut and examined for tillers, and gave 177 plants with a total of 261 

 stems, 110 of which were produced on the 6 best stools. By isolating these 

 high-producing stools the author believes that plants producing from 50 to 

 100 stems could be developed, resulting in the production of from 300 to 6O0 

 stems per square meter. The results obtained by Demtschinsky in transplant- 

 ing wheat are cited, together with previous results obtained by the author in 

 support of this method. Planting distances of from 30 to 40 cm. between plants 

 and of from 40 to 50 cm. between rows are deemed best. 



E. Schribaux, in discussing the results noted above, questioned the economic 

 value of the increased yields owing to the comparatively small area devoted 

 to the protluction of wheat in France, sacrificing early maturity in the grain 

 for potency, and to the immense amount of labor such intensified methods 

 would require for general production. 



New culture methods for wheat and other cereals, H. Devatjx {Rev. Sci. 

 [Paris], 55 {1917), I, No. 5, pp. 14O-I49, fig. 1; abs. in Nature [London}, 99 

 {1917), No. 2474, pp. 91, 92). — A slightly more detailed exposition of the above, 

 with additional notes on the application of the methods described to cereals 

 other than wheat. 



More wheat for Michigan, J. F. Cox {Michigan Sta. Give. 34 {1917), pp. 

 3-10, figs. 4)- — Recommendations are made for increasing wheat production in 

 Michigan. 



Methods of controlling or eradicating the wild oat in the hard spring- 

 wheat area, H. R. Gates {U. S. Dept. Agr., Farmers' Bui. 833 {1917), pp. 16, 

 figs. 9). — The wild oat, deemed the most prevalent weed in the hard spring- 

 wheat area and said to be most frequently introduced into noninfested fields 

 by the use of impure seed wheat, is described and its control or eradication dis- 

 cussed. The general precautions to be taken under all circumstances in deal- 

 ing with the weed are explained and efficient tillage methods, differing with scdl 



