350 EXPERIMENT STATION KECORD. ' 



obtained where from 2 to 2h bu. of seed were uaed. Witli oats the largest yield of 

 best grain was in favor of drilling 11 in. apart. The average results also favored the 

 wide drilling. Of the 2 varieties entering into these experiments, Black Tartarian 

 gave the highest yield, with 4 bu. of seed per acre, while for Garton Abundance from 

 ^h to 4 bu. was apparently the best (juantity. 



Improving' field peas, M. Fischer {Fuldinfff! Landw. Ztg., 51 {1902), No. 15, pp. 

 529-532). — Experiments were conducted with the Swedish field pea, a variety of 

 Pisum arvense. The seed selection was based on the color of the peas and the habits 

 of growth of the plant. The results indicated that a selection of spotted seed varying 

 in color from yellow to reddish brown, from bushy late blooming and late ripening 

 plants, will lengthen the vegetative period and increase the yield of green forage. 

 On the other hand, it is stated that the selection of smaller seeds of a solid green 

 color but well ripened and taken from early blooming and early ripening plants will 

 shorten the vegetative period and thus better adapt the variety to mixed culture with 

 barley. 



The effect of different amounts of •water used in irrigation upon the yield 

 of potatoes, B. P. Fleming ( Wijoiinng Sta. Rpt. 1902, pp. 31-34) ■ — A study was made 

 of the effect of different amounts of water in irrigating potatoes. In 1900 potatoes 

 grown on 3 adjacent plats received from irrigation and rainfall 5, 7, and 10 in. of 

 water, and yielded 1,176, 2,230, and 3,069 lbs. of potatoes per acre respectively. 

 The following season the depths of water used on the respective plats were 17, 8, and 

 48 in., and the corresponding yields 3,332, 3,956, and 5,432 lbs. of potatoes per acre. 



Progress of the beet-sugar industry in the TJnited States in 1901, C. F. 

 Saylor ( U. S. Dcj)t. Agr. Rpt. 72, jij). 1-S9, pis. ll,fig!<. 5). — This is the annual report 

 on the progress and condition of the beet-sugar industry in the United States in 

 1901. Similar reports have been published for previous years (E. S. R., 13, p. 445). 

 The report deals with the oi^erations of the various beet-sugar factories, outlines 

 methods for beet culture, and presents considerable statistical information relative 

 to the industry. Lowering the cost of sugar production is discussed and the cost and 

 profits of sugar-beet culture with and without irrigation are estimated. In discussing 

 incidental benefits and by-products the author points out the improvement of land 

 and farming methods incident to the culture of the crop, emphasizes the value of 

 beet pulp for feeding, and suggests how beet leaves should be utilized. The manu- 

 facture of sirup and molasses in connection with beet-sugar manufacture is briefly 

 noted. The factories in operation, in process of construction, and projected enter- 

 prises in this line are enumerated. The statistics presented relate to factory devel- 

 opment; the consumption, production, and importation of sugar, and the factory 

 results for 1901 . The consumption and production of sugar in the States and Terri- 

 tories west of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers are graphically shown, and the fac- 

 tory operations for 1901 are reviewed for each State and individual factory. In con- 

 nection with this statistical information detailed statements are made of the labor 

 required to raise and market beets, together with the cost of the same. The discus- 

 sion on methods of growing beets consivSts of notes on preparing the seed bed, plant- 

 ing, bunching aiid thinning, cultivating, harvesting, and delivering beets. 



In 1901, 36 factories were in operation in California, Colorado, Michigan, Minne- 

 sota, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and 

 Wisconsin. The total acreage of beets for the season was 175,083. The quantity of 

 beets worked amounted to 1,685,688.6 tons and the quantity of sugar produced to 

 369,211,733 lbs. The average sugar content of the beet was 14. 8 per cent, with a purity 

 coefficient of 82.2. The average yield of beets per acre was 9.6 tons. The total con- 

 sumption of sugar in the United States for 1901 is estimated at 2,372,006 tons. 



Progress of the beet-sugar industry in the United States, C. F. Saylor ( U. S. 

 Dept. Agr. YcdrhitoL- 1901, pp. //ST-MJ, ;*/.s'. .^).— Information on this subject, com- 

 prising historical and statistical <lata rt'ported in the publication noted al)ove, is here 

 given in abstract form. 



