1918.3 HORTICULTURE. 841 



cob on the first of each month. The 8-year average results showed that on 

 November 1, immediately after shelling, the grain contained 24.91 per cent 

 moisture and the cobs 41. .51 per cent. 



Damp corn was likewise stored for five years, analyses showing that on 

 November 1 the shelled corn contained 30.29 per cent moisture and the cobs 

 50.21 per cent. The maximum .shrinkage was attained on August 1, and 

 amounted to 29.2 per cent. In both grades of corn the greater part of the 

 excessive moisture was retained until after March 1, while after August 1 

 both grades absorbed moisture, showing an average increase of 4.17 per cent 

 from August 1 to the date of maximum increase, which occurred the following 

 February to April. Values of corn, equivalent to $1 per bushel on November 1, 

 have been computed at which the crop must be sold to avoid financial loss 

 through shrinkage in storage. These prices attained maxima on August 1 of 

 $1.26 for well-matured grain and $1.41 for damp grain. 



For five consecutive years 40 bu. each of oats and wheat were weighed and 

 stored in a bin for approximately one year, after which the contents of the bin 

 were reweighed. Forty bu. of rye were similarly treated for a 4-year period. 

 Increases in weight were noted in two cases each with oats and rye and in 

 one case with wheat. On the average the oats gained 0.8G per cent moisture, 

 while the wheat and rye lost 2.04 and 3.62 per cent, respectively. Data are 

 presented which indicate that only slight fluctuations of the moisture content 

 of the small grains occurred throughout the year. 



Forty bu. of soy beans stored in a small bin November 2, 1911, contained 

 17.67 per cent moisture, and when weighed at the end of the storage period, 

 October 23, 1912, showed a loss of 3.76 per cent. 



Seed Beporter {U. S. Dept. Agr., Seed Rptr., 1 (1918), No. 5, pp. 8, fig. 1).— 

 The principal feature of this number is a summary by States of the seed-corn 

 situation ba.sed on information from various sources in an effort to show the 

 predominating features. The States included are Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, 

 Missouri, Kansas, Indiana, Ohio, Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Wis- 

 consin, Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, 

 Virginia, and West Virginia. Tabulated data are presented showing the seed- 

 corn deficiencies and surplus supplies in the first 12 States named above. 



Statistical information relative to the stocks on hand and total receipts of 

 red and alsike clover is presented, based on the War Emergency Seed Survey 

 of January 31, 1918, and, in addition, data showing the stocks held for export 

 as found by the Export Clover Inquiry of February 13. 



The method of procedure as to approval of export shipments of corn to 

 Canada by the War Trade Board is outlined. 



The provision for war-emergency purchases and sales of seeds to farmers by 

 this Department, as autharized by the Food-production Act of August 10, 1917, 

 is described, and its administration in the southwest, northwest, and south 

 plains areas is indicated. Provisions for handling the seed-corn situation are 

 noted from another source on page 834. 



Brief comments on tagging shipments of seed corn (E. S. R., 38, p. 441), the 

 vegetable seed situation, profiteering in seeds, and seed-corn prices are pre- 

 sented. Data on the imports of forage plant seed permitted entry into the 

 United States during February are given as usual. 



HORTICTTLTTJRE. 



Report of the horticultural division, J. E. Higgins {Hawaii Sta. Rpt. 1917, 

 pp. 11-23. pi. 1, fig. 7).— Work with seedling pineapples (E. S. R.. 37, p. 142) 

 was continued dimng the year. Several thousand potted seedlings are under 



