538 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol. 38 



length represents the best method for determining density, as density is 

 dependent directly upon the length of tlie rachis and the number of its units, 

 the internodes, of which it is composed." As square-headedness results from 

 the shortening of the terminal internodes, it was found that the ratio between 

 the number of internodes in the middle third of the rachis and the number in 

 the upper third would best express the degree of square-headedness. The coef- 

 ficient of square-headedness is found, therefore, by the formula Sq=j^> when 

 Ii is the number of internodes in the terminal third of the rachis and I2 the 

 number in the middle third. 



Influence of environment on the color of the wheat grain, G. L. Kottub 

 (Poona Agr. Col. Mag., 8 (1911), No. S, pp. 183-185).— A study of environ- 

 mental influences on the color of the grain of white wheats in the Bombay 

 Presidency, India, led the author to conclude that while such influences may 

 result in discoloration of the grain the effect was neither permanent nor 

 progi'essive. 



Wheat and its products, A. Millar (London and New York: Sir Isaac Pit- 

 man & Sons, Ltd., 1916, pp. X+lSJf, pis. 5, figs. 36). — This contribution to Pit- 

 man's Common Commodities of Commerce series, contains a brief account of 

 wheat and its products, with regard to its habitat, transportation, and the 

 modem methods of producing wheat flour. 



The m.oisture content of heating wheat, C. H. Bailey (Jowr. Amcr. Soc. 

 Agron., 9 (1917), No. 5, pp. 2^8-251). — Moisture and other data are presented 

 which were secured from an examination of heating spring wheat received at 

 Minneapolis and sampled during the 14 days from August 3 to 16, 1916, under 

 unusual temperature conditions. The mean maximum daily temperatures in 

 July and August, 1916, at Minneapolis were 88.3 and 81.7° F., respectively, as 

 compared with 75.5 and 75°, respectively, for the same months in 1915. The 

 determinations were made at the Minnesota Grain Inspection Department 

 Laboratory. 



The data indicate that the moisture content of sound, plump, spring wheat 

 must be above the normal (about 13.75 per cent) before heating ensues, even 

 under such extreme temperature conditions as those of 1916. Of two samples 

 of heating wheat examined, containing less than 14 per cent of moisture, one 

 was frosted and the other shriveled. All samples containing less than 14.3 per 

 cent of moisture were shriveled, with low weight per bushel, indicating a tend- 

 ency of such grain to heat. The author concludes that sound, plump, hard 

 wheat containing less than 14.5 per cent of moisture will keep without heating 

 in storage in a temperate climate, while a lower moisture limit must be em- 

 ployed in storing shriveled and frosted wheat, and possibly with sound, plump 

 wheat in tropical climates. 



Yucca, R. S. CuNLiFFE (Estac. Expt. Agron. Cuba Bol. 34 (1916), pp. 66, pis. 

 22, fig. 1). — Cultural practices employed in yucca growing in Cuba are given 

 in detail, and its uses as human and stock food and for starch production dis- 

 cussed. Brief descriptions are given of 54 varieties, together with their chem- 

 ical analy.ses. Insects and diseases attacking the crop are noted. 



Montana grain inspection and the Federal grain standards for wheat, 

 A. Atkinson (Montana Sta. Circ. 68 (1917), pp. 1-i)- — This circular gives the 

 rules and regulations governing the taking of samples of grain for grading by 

 the Montana grain inspection laboratory and the Federal standards for wheat 

 as announced by the Secretary of Agriculture. That part of the text of the 

 Montana State grain-inspection law applying to the above is included. 



[Report of seed testing and experimental work at Oerlikon, Zurich], F. G. 

 Steblek, A. VoLKABT, and A. Gbisch (Schweiz. Samen Untcrsuch. u. Versuch- 



