19181 FIELD CROPS. 429 



Manganese sulphate was the only exception to this rule. This accounts for 

 the prejudicial action of these elements on nitrogen bacteria." 



See also a previous report of experiments with manganese (E. S. R., 33, 

 p. 422). 



The germination of seeds in saline solutions, P. Lesage {Compt. Rend. 

 Acad. Sci. [Paris], 164 (1017), No. 11, pp. 6S9-6J,1) .—The results of a prelimi- 

 nary study of concentration limits of germination of seeds of Siletie gallica, 

 Clarkia pulchella, Gilia capitata, and Linuin usitatissimum in solutions of 

 electrolytes or nonelectrolytes are given in tabular form. 



Assimilation of nutrients by [rice] plants, J. Sen {Rpt. Agr. Research Inst, 

 and Col. Pusa, 1915-16, pp. 16-18; Trap. Agr. [Ceylon], J,8 {1917), No. 3, pp. 

 179, 180). — A study made of the assimilation of nutrient material by the rice 

 plant at six stages of its development is said to show that the total amount 

 of dry matter in the plant increases up to the time of maturity, the largest in- 

 crease occurring before the flowering period. Nitrogen decreases continuously, 

 the most rapid decline being noted during the transplantation stage. The parts 

 above ground always exceed the roots in their nitrogen content. The leaves 

 in their earlier stages are twice as rich in nitrogen as the stems. Both leaves 

 and stems lose nitrogen during the formation of the grains, which, when they 

 fill, are about three times as rich in nitrogen as the other parts of the plants. 

 The amount of phosphoric acid was low throughout these tests. Potash in- 

 creases to the preflowering stage, after which it declines. 



By the time the flowers appear the assimilation of nitrogen, phosphoric acid, 

 and potash is fairly complete, so that the supply of these must be available 

 before this time. It does not appear that nitrogen or potash migrates back 

 to the soil. For a yield of 900 lbs. of dry grain, the soil suffers a depletion of 

 29.33 lbs. nitrogen, 9.64 lbs. phosphoric acid, and 49.09 lbs. potash per acre by 

 the total removal of both grain and straw. 



Some sources of ethylgalactosid, Mougne {Jour. Pliarm. et Chim., 7. ser., 

 15 {1917), No. 11, pp. 345-348). — Ethylgalactosid /3 has been obtained in a pure 

 and crystalline state from the products of fermentation in which the presence 

 of galactosid /3 has been demonstrated. This has been done in the case of a 

 number of plants, some of which are named. The technique of the work is 

 also briefly indicated. 



Industrial fumes and injury therefrom to vegetation, V. Sabachnikoff 

 (Vie Agr. et Rurale, 7 {1917), No. 22, pp. 390^393).— After a general account of 

 kinds of industrial works giving rise to various substances mentioned as in- 

 jurious to vegetation, the author states that the effects due to the noxious 

 gases are more important than those due to the corroding influence of even 

 high concentrations of certain acids. The total of the cumulative effects of 

 even weak concentrations of acid gases in the air is said to be very great. 



FIELD CROPS. 



Experiments in field technique in rod row tests, H. K. Hayes and A. C. 

 Aeny {U. 8. Dept. Agr., Jour. Agr. Research, 11 {1917), No. 9, pp. 399-419).— 

 Preliminary investigations in 1915 with wheat and oats grown in replicated 

 and single rod rows and in duplicated and single i^ -acre plats at the Minne- 

 sota Experiment Station led to more detailed studies in 1916 of the effects of 

 competition on height and yield between adjacent rows of different varieties 

 and strains of wheat, oats, and barley planted in rod rows when spaced at a dis- 

 tance of 1 ft. apart and of the value of replications for rod row tests. The data 

 were obtained from rod row variety tests made by the farm crops section and 

 from rod row tests made in the plant breeding nursery. This report forms the 



