FIELD cyiops. 651 



liave l>een grown in comparison. In each case the ]ilants with the low moisture 

 ivqnirenients jiroduced the larger i)er('entage of grain. The strains requiring but 

 little moisture were shorter in the straw and also shorter and closer in the head than 

 those which required the greater quantity of water. The quality for brewing pur- 

 poses in the new strains was not changed because the protein content of the grain and 

 the percentage of glumes to the grain did not enter into the basis upon which the 

 imi>r(ivement by breeding was carried on. The author discusses the means otlier 

 than ])lant breeding ])y which plants may l)e successfully grown in dry localities and 

 further ]jt)ints out how by breeding the ])eriod during which the plant uses tlie 

 greatest amount of moisture can be moved toward the winter season and thus the 

 supply of winter moisture be made to benefit the growing plant. 



The fertilizer experiments conducted for several years have shown that an increase 

 in yield due to applications of phosphoric acid is accompanied, as in the case of 

 potash, by a proportional decrease in protein content. On the other hand, phosphoric 

 acid did not affect the size of the grain which is so characteristic of potash. The use 

 of i)hosi)horic acid further caused a uniform and rapid development of the young 

 plants. Owing to the rather rapid growth of the plant readily soluble phosjihates are 

 required. 



Berseem, D. G. Fairchild ( T". ,S'. Dept. Agr., Bureau of Plant Indusfri/ Bill. ^3, 

 pp. 20; pU. 14) ■ — This bulletin gives a historical account of the culture in Egypt of 

 berseem ( Trifolium alexandrinum) , also called Alexandrian and Egyptian clover, and 

 describes its general uses. Three distinct varieties grown in Egypt are discussed. 

 Muscovri berseem, the variety commonly grown under irrigation in the delta, is the 

 most important. It is stated that this variety planted in early autumn will give 4 

 cuttings, the first 2 yielding about 8 tons per acre of green forage each, and the last 

 2 a])out () tons each. When seed is required the plants are allowed to go to seed in 

 June after the fourth cutting. The yield of seed is rei^orted as much heavier than 

 that of clover. An instance is mentioned where berseem planted January 5 was cut 

 March 11, April 7, and April 30, and the roots then plowed under. In an experi- 

 ment carried on in Algeria berseem sown July 26 yielded a total of 42 tons of green 

 fodder per acre in 3 cuttings, the first one being made September 12. The usual 

 Egyptian yield for 4 cuttings is about 28 tons. In connection with this discussion 

 the records of temperature and relative humidity for June, July, and October of an 

 average Egyptian season, and a comparison of chemical analyses of green berseem 

 and alfalfa in P^gypt, are shown in tables. 



"Fachl l)erseem is a variety used in Egypt on land which is irrigated by the basin 

 system — i. e., overflowed for 40 days in the autumn months from August until 

 November, depending on the latitude and Nile overflow. Saida is the name of a 

 variety of berseem which, although yielding less than Muscowi, is relatively more 

 nutritious. It possesses a comparatively long tap root which enables it to thrive 

 with much less water than is required for Muscowi, and it is, in fact, considered a 

 kind of dry land berseem. It is sown in the basins but requires subsequent irriga- 

 tion, as it yields 2 cuttings." 



The value of berseem as a green fodder and hay crop and its probable adaptability^ 

 to certain sections in this country are considered. 



Experiments with white clover, P. P. Deherain and E. Demoussy {Ann. Agron., 

 28 [1902)., Xo. 10, pp. 497-522, fig^. 3). — Inoculation, fertilizer, and rotation experi- 

 ments carried on for several years are reported. The inoculation tests were made in 

 pots with 4 soils from as many different localities. On only one soil did the inocula- 

 tion with garden soil, containing the proper bacteria for clover, show effect. This 

 soil, a sort of leaf mold, contained the necessary bacteria but they were present in 

 insufficient numbers to be effective. The results also showed that lime on noncal- 

 careoussoil is of value in this connection when applied together with superjthosphate 

 or a soluble phosphate. Lime alone, or applied with a phosphate in nodular form, 



