FIELD CROPS. 243 



480 ll)g. 8uperj>li(>Hpliate, .'500 11)8. muriate nf jiotash, and 820 Ihs. of nitrate of soda 

 jier acre. 



Variety tests of potatoes, E. Giuws {Fuhling^s Landw. Zly., 51 {1902), No. 4, 

 jyp. 121-123). — This article sununarizes the results of variety tests with potatoes, 

 ^yhi^•h were carried on for 3 years. The varieties under test were originated by a 

 seed firm in Galicia. A number of these varieties gave good results under rather 

 unfavorable climate and soil conditions. For moist soils the varieties Skarbek, 

 Dolega, Perkun, and Kmit are recommended. 



Potato experiments at Garforth, R. 8. Seton ( Yorkshire Col., Leeds, mid East 

 <tnd West Rid'nigx Joint A;/r. Council, Pnmphlel 21, 1902, pp. 7). — In a test of 9 varie- 

 ties of potatoes, British Queen gave the best yields in 1900 and 1901, and produced 

 tubers of better quality than any other variety. Cut sets for seed gave better yields 

 than whole tubers. Tubers greened in the fall by exposing tliem to sunlight pro- 

 duced a larger yield than ungreened seed. Planting in roAVS 28 in. apart and ))lacing 

 the sets al)out 15 in. apart in the row i.s recommended. 



Sand lucern, J. D. To war {Michigan Sta. Bui. 198, pp. 147-160). — This bulletin 

 gives a description and the botanical history of sand lucern {Medicago media), with 

 directions for its culture and uses. The results of a number of experiments conducted 

 at other stations and showing the value of alfalfa for feeding and soil renovation are 

 reviewed, and the experiences of Michigan farmers with sand lucern are reported. 



Culture exjieriments with tliis plant have l)een in progress at the station since 1897. 

 A sixth-acre plat yielded at the rate of 6,800 lbs. of cured hay per acre in 1898, 10,580 

 ll)s. in 1899, 12,310 lbs. in 1900, and 13,839 lbs. in 1901. In 1898 three cuttings were 

 made, while in the succeeding years four cr(jps were obtained each season. The 

 dates of cutting averaged about June 10, July 12, August 15, and October 1. 



An analysis of the hay made in 1901 is reported in a table. The crop produced 

 per acre 1,529 lbs. of digestible protein, 4,307 lbs. of digestible carbohydrates, and 

 140 lbs. of digestible fat, as calculated with the coefficients of digestibility for alfalfa. 

 As to the fertilizing value of the hay, the crop contained 330 lbs. of nitrogen, 62 lbs. 

 of phosphoric acid, and 426 lbs. of potash per acre. For green forage, hay, and pas- 

 ture sand lucern is considered equal to common alfalfa. As a cover crop in orchards 

 it is said to rol> the trees of plant food and moisture. 



Sorg-hum in 1901, C. L. Penny {Delaicare Sta. Rpt. 1901, pp. 74-76). — Analyses 

 of the sorghum crop for 1901 made on different dates from October 8 to November 

 20 are given in a table, together with analyses of the crops grown during the last four 

 seasons. The crop of 1901 showed the highest percentage of sugar in the juice except 

 that of 1898, and gave a larger yield of cane, of total sugar per acre, and of available 

 sugar yier acre than any other crop except that of 1900. The purity of this season's 

 crop was the lowest of all. 



Beets and sorghum compared on the basis of sugar production, A. T. Neale 

 { Delairare Sta. Rpt. 1901, jjp. 32-35). — The comparison of sugar beets and sorghum 

 was made on 2 i:>lats, one-half of each being devoted to sugar beets and the other 

 lialf to sorghum. The season was favorable to sorghum l)ut unfavorable to l)eets. 

 The average yield of total sugar in the sorghum was 5,653 lbs. jier acre, and in the 

 ,-ugar V)eets, 1,045 lbs. It was observed that cane still standing November 20 had 

 deteriorated by apparently 1,000 lbs. of sugar per acre, and since the specific 

 gravity of the juice was practically as high as it was on October 8, it is concluded 

 that the test was lowered by the jiresence of inverted sugar in canes which had been 

 nuitilated b}' windstorms. Sugar beets dug on December 2 were still in good condi- 

 tion, indicating that the working season for sugar beets is longer than the season for 

 sorghum. Owing to the use of modern machinery, sorghum culture is considered as 

 being placed upon a jiractical basis. 



The sugar beet in Delaware, A. T. Neale {Delaware Sta. lijit. 1901, pp. 30-32).— 



