FIELD CROPS. 431 



was added the second year and the accumulations of potash and phosphoric acid 

 from previous manurings were depended upon to furnish the reijuired amounts of 

 those constituents. 



Analyses of commercial fertilizers, H. J. Wheeler et al. {Rhode Island Sta. 

 Bui. 85, pp. 179-188). — This bulletin includes 44 analyses of tankage, hone, fish, and 

 complete fertilizers designed for potatoes and vegetables. 



FIELD CROPS. 



Silage studies, F. \\. Mokse {New IlampHhlrc Sta. Bid. 92, pp. 49-62). — Experi- 

 ments in progress since 1891 and coixi prising studies on the composition of corn at 

 different stages of growth and from different quantities of seed per acre, the com- 

 parison of varieties for silage and their effect on milk production, and the changes in 

 composition taking place in the silo, are reported and discussed. The results are in 

 some instances compared with those obtained at other stations. The analytical data 

 are given in tables. 



It is concluded that the corn plant has reached its maxinunii food production 

 when it is nearly matured, with the ears fully formed and well tilled, and that at 

 this stage it is best suited for silage. The Leaming dent corn was found the most 

 desirable silage variety; and for those portions of the State with too short a season 

 for this variety to reach the proper stage the Sanford flint corn is recommended. 



In a feeding test silage made from Sanford, Leaming and Mosby Prolific was com- 

 pared. Two groups of cows in 1896 and 4 groups in 1897 were fed the different kinds 

 of silag3 in successive periods of about 3 weeks each. The groups included from 

 .3 to 9 cows tach. Judging from the average shrinkage in the yield in milk in jiass- 

 ing from one period to another, the results on the whole would seem to place San- 

 ford silage highest and Mosby Prolific lowest in feeding value. 



A chemical study of the silage shows that "tlie sugar in the green fodder is prac- 

 tically all destroyed in the silo, and since it is most abundant in the corn plant in 

 the early stages of ear development, it is an additional argument for postponing 

 cutting until the grain is full size and the sugars have changed largely to starch." 

 The amount of seed per acre affected the yield of green fodder and its composition. 

 The use of 2 bu. of seed produced fodder lacking in protein and containing an 

 increased proportion of fiber. A bushel of seed per acre produced fodder a little 

 inferior in composition to that obtained from the use of h bu., but the yield was 

 nearly 50 per cent greater and the total yield of protein and carbohydrates was also 

 increased. 



Culture experiments in 1900-1901, A. Damseaux {Bui. Agr. [Brussels], 18 

 {1902), Xo. 1, pp. 9-22). — Tiie average results of observations made during 16 years 

 show that winter wheat grown after beets yielded 470 kg. of grain and 300 kg. of 

 straw more per hectare than when grown after clover. A comparison of spring and 

 winter wheat for this same period showed that the average yield of winter wheat per 

 hectare was greater by 710 kg. of grain and 830 kg. of straw. 



Oats sown broadcast at the rate of 100 kg. per hectare yielded 3,350 kg. of grain 

 and 7,200 kg. of straw as compared with 3,520 kg. of grain and 6,700 kg. of straw per 

 hectare when sown at the rate of 150 kg. Sowing 100 kg. per hectare in drills resulted 

 in a yield of 3,600 kg. of grain and 7,700 kg. of straw, and sowing at the rate of 150 

 kg. per hectare gave a yield of 4,050 kg. of grain and 6,050 kg. of straw. 



The seed of several early varieties of field and sweet corn was obtained from 

 Canada and planted in May. In spite of an unfavorable summer, the grain ripened 

 in September. 



Sugar beets grown after clover produced, on an average, for 14 years 312 kg. of sugar 

 more per hectare than where the crop followed winter wheat. The results of variety 



