FIELD CROPS. 129 



A large number of cane seedlings were grown and tested during the 

 seasons of 1892, 1893, 1894, and 1895. The results are tabulated. The 

 sugar and glucose contents and the quotient of purity of the seedlings 

 and canes propagated from them by cuttings varied so much that uo 

 conclusion as to the influence of the parent canes on these qualities 

 could be obtained. The variation in color, size, and sugar content was 

 greater among seedlings from striped cane than those from self-colored 

 canes. Canes raised from seed produced a higher percentage of fertile 

 seed than canes of varieties long grown from cuttings. The average 

 results of 9 crops of old varieties are given in a table. The varieties 

 considered valuable for the colony are Bourbon, White Transparent, 

 JVlani, Po-a ole, Bed Kibbon, and Green Bibbon. An analyses of rich 

 Bourbon canes is tabulated. 



From the fertilizing experiments conducted during the years 1891-'95, 

 it was concluded that nitrogen in the forms of sulphate of ammonia, 

 nitrate of soda, and dried blood is the manurial constituent which 

 mainly governs the yield. An application of 2£ to 3 cwt. of sulphate 

 of ammonia per acre seemed most profitable. The use of nitrate of 

 potash in the place of nitrate of soda proved unsatisfactory. Sulphate 

 of lime gave best results when applied with nitrogen and potash. It 

 is considered best to manure rattoon canes with nitrogen only. 

 Manurial phosphates proved decidedly unprofitable. Potash appeared 

 to have but little effect. The use of lime resulted in largely increasing 

 the yields and its effect is not yet exhausted. 



The history of "rind fungus" is given. The effect of the disease 

 appears to consist in the decrease of the sugar content and a slight 

 increase of non-sugars. It is concluded that high proportions of readily 

 available nitrogen favor the growth of the disease. The "pineapple" 

 disease and the cane rust are described. 



Chemical analyses of the cacao tree and fruit are reported, and the 

 process of sweating or curing the beans is discussed from a chemical 

 point of view. The diseases of the plant and their prevention are 

 described. Analyses and short descriptions of kola nuts, potatoes, 

 calathea, callalu, pumpkins, ochroes, maudura, and bonavis beans, 

 sesbania, and the calabash tree are given. 



Fertilizer experiments with sugar beets at Alnarp, Sweden, 

 1896, S. Forsberg (Tidslcr. Landtman, IS (1897), pp. 59-65). — Ferti- 

 lizer experiments with sugar beets were conducted in 3 different fields. 

 In field A comparative experiments were made with (1) herring guano, 

 (2) superphosphate and Chile saltpeter, and (3) superphosphate, Chile 

 saltpeter, and kainit, the amounts applied per acre being 890 lbs. her- 

 ring guano, 356 lbs. each Chile saltpeter and superphosphate, and 890 

 or 1,780 lbs. kainit added to the quantities of Chile saltpeter and super- 

 phosphates given. The field had been manured with 9 tons barnyard 

 manure per acre during the fall of 1895. The average yields obtained 



