FIELD CROPS. 37 



Comparative field tests of commercial fertilizers used in raising potatoes 

 (New York State Sta. Ept. 1895, pp. 25-36). — A reprint of Bulletin 93 of the station 

 (E.S.R., 7, p. 761). 



Field trials with artificial fertilizers, K. Hansen (Tidskr. Landokon, 16 {1897), 

 pp. 184-218). 



Results of experiments in 1896 -with mixtures of phosphates and nitrate of 

 soda, L. Grandeau {.lour. Ayr. Prat,, 61 (1897), I,Xo. 1", pp. 345-849). — This is a con- 

 tinuation of the work of previous years (E. S. R., 7, p. 755), and summarizes the 

 reports of experiments in 22 departments of France with nitrate of soda as a 

 spring fertilizer in connection with applications of potash and phosphoric acid. 

 The results on winter wheat, oats, potatoes, fodder beets, sugar beets, and hay con- 

 firm in general the favorable conclusions from previous experiments, notwithstand- 

 ing the fact that the preceding autumn and winter were very wet. The use of 

 nitrate, especially in connection with slag and superphosphate, enabled the crop to 

 overcome the effects of the unfavorable season and give profitable returns. 



The New York fertilizer law and its meaning, L. I.. Van- Si.yki. (New York 

 State Sta. Ept. 1895, pp. 149-155). — The text of the State fertilizer law is given and 

 its different provisions are explained. 



Potash manuring: Its value to British agriculture, C. M. AlKMAN and R. P. 

 Wright (Glasgow: Carter <V- Pratt, 1896, pp. 50, figs. 14). — Having satisfied them- 

 selves "that the artificial potash manures have beeu too much neglected inordinary 

 agricultural practice," the authors have "collected a number of experiments on the 

 manuring of the more important farm crops which show the beneficial effects that 

 have been produced under certain conditions from the employment of potash 

 manures.'' The principal sources of data are the experiments of Lawes and Gilbert 

 and Yoelcker, sr. and jr., in England, and Aitken in Scotland, special prominence 

 being given to results obtained by the latter in connection with the Highland Society 

 and "to those obtained in the numerous experiments carried out during the last few 

 years in the west of Scotland by the agricultural department of the Glasgow and 

 West of Scotland Technical College. 1 These data supply a contribution to the 

 study of the subject which should be regarded as fragmentary and suggestive rather 

 than comprehensive and final," because the subject has not yet been thoroughly 

 investigated under all conditions of soil, climate, and crop. 



The first chapter deals with potash in soils and crops — nature and sources of potash 

 manures; and the second with effects of potash manuring on the common British 

 crops, the latter including grass, clover, beans, oats, barley, turnips, potatoes, and 

 mangel- wurzels. 



FIELD CROPS. 



Corn: Cultural investigations and comparison of varieties, 

 J. F. Hickman (Ohio Sta. Bui. 78jjpp. 53-91). — The cultural investiga- 

 tions consisted of comparisons of deep with shallow plowing, distribu- 

 tion of seed, kernels from different parts of the ear used as seed, methods 

 of cultivation, detasseling, and maturing in the shock and on the stalk. 

 The average rainfall and temperature for the 5 months of the corn 

 season for 9 years are given, and the results of all experiments are 

 tabulated. 



Plats plowed 3 and 7 in. deep gave results so similar that no 

 effect could be ascribed to the difference in depth of plowing. Three- 

 year experiments indicated that planting I grain every 12 in. and 2 



1 Reports on experiments on the manuring of farm crops in 1893, 1894, and 1895, 

 Wright et al. 



