FIELD CROPS. 561 



the P>i;reaii of Soiln of tlii« Department, and the rainfall records from January, 

 1899, to Decemljer, 1901, are reported. The coffee, sugar, and tobacco industries are 

 described, and statistics bearing on the sul)ject are presented. The prcduction of 

 citrus fruits, alligator pears, mangoes, bananas, guavas, pineapples, cocoanuts, fiber 

 plants, and a number of minor crops, is briefly noted. A description of stock raising 

 on the island, including some statistics with reference to this industry and a note on 

 insec-t pests, are also given. 



Report of the agriculturist, E. R. Li;Oyd {Mississip2)iSta. Rpt. 1902, pp. 10-16). — 

 Thirty-two varieties of corn were tested in 1901 and the results ol)tained are briefly 

 given, together with short descriptive notes for each variety. The results with 20 

 varieties of cotton, tested the same season, are also given. The application of 10 tons 

 of barnyard manure increased the yield of seed cotton 304 lbs. per acre. The use of 

 barnyard manure also had good effects on the yields of cowpeas and corn. Fall-sown 

 wheat, flax, and alfalfa were winterkilled. 



Beport of Calgary Experiment Station, P. T. Bone {Tip)t. Dept. Agr. Northwest 

 Territories, 1901, pp. 4-^-56). — N'ariety tests with spring and winter wheat, oats, bar- 

 ley, spelt, rape, and potatoes are reported, and the culture of alfalfa, flax, and sugar 

 beets is discussed. 



Annual report on experimental farms and gardens in the Bombay Presi- 

 dency {Ann. apt. Expt. Farms and Gardens in Bombay Presidency, 1902, pp. 1-33). — 

 The results of culture tests with Australian saltbush, Paspulum dilatatum. Sorghum 

 vulgarc, Mauritius water-grass, Guinea grass, soy beans, rhea, cassava, sweet potatoes, 

 maize, i^eanuts, Pennisetnm fyphoideum, and sugar cane are briefly noted. The use 

 of different fertilizers in connection with growing these crops is also described. In 

 many instances the results of this season confirm the conclusions drawn the previous 

 year. 



Methods of conducting plat experiments, B. R. Larsen [Arheidsregler for de 

 spredte Akerrehstforsog. Christiania: Juhansen & Nielsen, 1902, pp. 27). — Methods of 

 conducting plat experiments at the Agricultural High School of Norway are outlined 

 for the purpose of instructing experimenters cooperating with the institution. 



Crop report for 1901 and 1902, F. G. Sly {Dept. Land Records and Agr., Cen- 

 tral Prorinces, Season ami Crop Rpt. 1901-2, pp. 1-11). — Among other data statistical 

 notes are given on the culture oiAndropogon rnlgare, Cajanus indicus, Sesamum indicam, 

 Cicer (rrietinuni, Latliyrus satirvs, Errum lens, Phaseolus mango, and P. aconiti folius. 



The effect of potash on plants, as shown in experiments with potatoes, 

 tobacco, buckw^heat, mustard, chicory, and oats, H. Wilfarth and G. Wim.mer, 

 {Arh. Deut. Landic. Gesell., 1902, No. 68, pp. 106, figs. 14)- — The experiments here 

 reported were conducted in the years 1896-1900, inclusive. The results obtained with 

 the different crops for each season are taliulated in detail and discussed. 



A soil mixture almost free from potash was used in the test. The potash applica- 

 tions were more effective in increasing the size of the plant organs containing the 

 reserve material than in increasing the yield of the stems and leaves. This fact was 

 especially marked in the case of potatoes and beets. Although an increase in the 

 application of potash decreased the percentage of stems and leaves, it did not have a 

 very marked effect on the roots. The influence of potash on the appearance and 

 shape of the leaves was quite marked. The lack of potash manifested itself by a 

 yellowish-brown color of the entire leaf, followed by spots or stripes located in the 

 portions between the veins. These spots or stripes were also yellowish-brown, but 

 much more intense than the rest of the leaf, and in some instances assumed a whitish 

 appearance. The jaetiole of the leaf and the ribs retained their dark green color. 

 The lack of potash was especially well shown in the leaf coloration of tobacco, buck- 

 wheat, and potatoes. The insufficiency of potash in the soil was also indicated by a 

 characteristic curling of the leaves and by a sudden collapse of individual plants. 

 The effects of insufficient supplies of nitrogen and phosphoric acid in soil differed 



