FIELD CROPS. 745 



It is concluded that the chlorophyll content of the seed coat was 

 transmitted to the progeny, and that the dark brown grains, the color 

 of which is believed to have been caused by unfavorable influences dur- 

 ing the ripening period, were incapable of transmitting their color. 



The soy bean as a forage crop, T. A.Williams ( IT. S. Dept. Agr., 

 Farmers' Bui. 58, pp. 3-19, Jigs. 5). — This bulletin treats of the general 

 characteristics and origin of the soy bean, the value of the different 

 varieties, the conditions necessary for its growth, the methods of cul- 

 ture and harvesting, and the yield. The composition of the soy bean 

 at different stages of growth, the chemical composition of the various 

 kinds of forage made from the plant, a comparison of the amounts of 

 food constituents produced by an acre of the soy bean and an acre of 

 fodder corn, the percentage of digestibility of the various nutrients, 

 and a comparison of green forage per acre and fertilizer ingredients in 

 the crop and roots of soy beans, cowpeas, and clover are given in 

 tables. Discussions of the chemical composition, digestibility, and 

 value and uses of the soy bean for silage, hay, pasture, and soil renew- 

 ing are given. The author gives the following summary: 



"The soy beau thrives best in soils of medium texture well supplied with lime, 

 potash, and phosphoric acid. It endures drought well, is not easily injured by excess 

 of moisture, and may be grown about as far north as corn. 



"The early varieties are best for seed crops, and the medium or late varieties for 

 hay, forage, aud silage. Seed may be planted at any time during the spring and 

 early summer, but preferably as soon as the ground becomes well warmed up. Drill 

 one-half to three-fourths of a luishel to the acre; broadcast three-fourths to 1 bushel. 



"Little cultivation is needed when growing for forage; when for seed keep weeds 

 down until plants shade the soil. The soy bean may be used for soiling, pasturage, 

 hay, and silage, or the beans may be harvested and fed as grain. 



"The forage is very rich in fat and muscle-making materials and should be fed 

 with fodder corn, sorghum, or some other feeding stuffs rich in fat-forming nutrients. 

 The seed can be fed to the best advantage when ground into meal aud is almost 

 without equal as a concentrated food. 



"Cut for hay when the plants are in late bloom or early fruit; for silage the 

 crop can be cut later, but it is better to cut before the pods begin to ripen; for green 

 forage cutting may begin earlier and continue rather later than for either hay or 

 silage; the crop may be cut for seed after the pods become about half ripe. 



"The soy bean is excellent for green manuring and for short rotations with cereal 

 crops. It should be well limed when plowed under as a green manure." 



Mineral constituents of the sugar cane crop, P. Boname (Rap. 

 An. Sta. Agr on. [Mauritius], 1896, pp. 63-73). — A very thorough study 

 of the chemical composition, especially the mineral constituents, of 

 sugar cane is reported, the principal results of which are given in the 

 following table: 



