462 



EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



ally embodies the results of some experiments along that line. For general purposes 

 an application of 60 kilos of nitrate of soda, 40 kilos of sulphate of ammonia, and 400 

 rottolis of superphosphate per feddan are recommended. This application gave 

 profitable results in the several experiments reported. The application was also 

 found profitable when applied together with 10 cubic meters of barnyard manure. 

 The results further showed that the bulk of the nitrogen applied should be in the 

 form of nitrate of soda. Practically no increase was obtained by the use of potash 

 manures. 



Flax and linseed industry, J. Knight (Guides to Growers [Dept. Agr., Victoria], 

 No. 50, pp. 16, figs. 9). — This is a popular bulletin on the culture of flax, with special 

 reference to conditions obtaining in Victoria. 



Gram (Bui. Dept. Agr. Jamaica, 2 (1904), No. 9, pp. 202, 203).— Data regarding the 

 composition of gram or chick-pea are quoted. 



Job's tears seeds, H. H. Cousins (Bui. Dept. Agr. Jamaica, 2 (1904), No. 9, p. 

 202). — Analyses by H. S. Hammond are reported. 



Jute culture, L. Hautefeuille (Agr. Prat. Pays Chauds, 3 (1904), No. 18, pp. 647- 

 657, figs. 2). — Culture and fertilizer experiments are reported from Bat-Bat, Indo- 

 China. Jute was grown on soil worked 25, 40, and 60 cm. deep, but the depth of 

 cultivation had no effect upon the development of the plants. 



Mineral superphosphates, applied at the rate of 1,600 kg. per hectare, remained 

 without effect because the phosphoric acid did not become available in time for the 

 crop. Ashes had a marked influence, especially on the early growth of the plants, 

 and are believed to have acted not only as a source of plant food, but also in the line 

 of improving the soil. Other results obtained indicated that jute can profitably be 

 cultivated by the native system, in which night soil is used as a fertilizer. 



Variation in oat hybrids, J. H. Wilson (Nature, 69 (1904), No. 1792, p. 413).— 

 The results of crossing white varieties of oats, and also black varieties with white 

 ones, are reported. The author concludes from the study of available samples that 

 the form of the ear will no doubt be found to be a constant Mendelian character. 

 The material examined further showed the dissociation of the color of the grain. 

 A summary of the results is shown in the following table: 



Results with different oat hybrids. 



Hybrids. 



Number 



of grains 



sown. 



Number of 



plants 

 harvested. 



Number 

 with 

 black 



grains. 



Number 

 with 

 white 



grains. 



Ratio of 



black to 



white 



grains. 



Goldfinder x Black Tartarian 



Goldflnder x Black Tartarian 



Black Tartarian x White Canadian 

 Black Tartarian x Abundance 



1,000 

 900 

 800 

 600 



567 

 566 

 532 

 274 



433 

 415 

 379 

 209 



134 

 151 

 153 

 65 



3.23:1 

 2. 75: 1 

 2.48:1 

 3.21:1 



The Black Tartarian oat with reference to color of the grain was dominant, 

 whether serving as pollen or seed parent. The proportion of black to white forms in 

 the second generation closely approximated 3:1. 



Drying tobacco leaves either primed or on the stalk, E. C. J. Mohr (Landic. 

 Vers. Stat., 59 (1903), No. 3-4, pp. 252-292; abs. in Centbl. Agr. Chem., 33 (1904), 

 No. 7, pp. 459-461). — Experiments are reported from which the conclusion is reached 

 that, contrary to opinions held by earlier investigators, if tobacco leaves are allowed 

 to dry on the stalk many substances of the greatest importance to the production of 

 the seed and the development of the buds and shoots are transported in consider- 

 able quantities from the leaves to the stem. 



Of the ash constituents, lime and magnesia are largely stationary. Sulphuric acid 

 moves in greater quantities and is exceeded in translocation by chlorin and potash, 

 while phosphoric acid is the most readily transported substance. Attention is called 



