560 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



those receiving 600 ky. The single application of nitrate of soda was profitable in 

 69.7 per cent of the number of tests, and the double application in 47.4 per cent. 

 Cimbal Giant yielded on an average per hectare 61,800 kg. of beets and 20,200 kg. 

 of leaves; and Eckendorf Original, 68,200 kg. of beets and 14,600 kg. of leaves. 



The dry matter content of the beets was generally somewhat reduced by the use 

 of nitrate of soda in these tests, but this reduction was not regular and the increase 

 in yield more than compensated for the loss. It is concluded that the maximum 

 application of nitrate of soda under the conditions of these experiments is about 300 

 kg. per hectare. 



Broom corn suggestions, C. L. Newman ( Arkansas, Sta. Bui. 83, pp. 105-118). — 

 A popular bulletin on the culture, preparation, and marketing of broom corn. At 

 the station where 3 crops have been grown the lowest yield of cleaned and cured 

 brush, about one-sixth of a ton per acre, was obtained from California Golden, a 

 dwarf variety, and the highest yield, about one-half a ton, from Tennessee Ever- 

 green. 



Fertilizers for flax, H. Blin {Jour. Agr. Prat., n. ser., 8 {1904), No. 39, pp. 401, 

 402). — The fertilizer requirements of flax are discussed and the results of an experi- 

 ment reported. Phosphatic and potassic fertilizers were found to be essential and to 

 considerably increase the yield of fiber and grain, while nitrogenous fertilizers largely 

 increased the total yield, but did not benefit the production of fiber in the same 

 proportion, and caused a marked reduction in its quality. 



Experiments upon the cultivation of hops at Goudhurst {Jour. Southeast. 

 Agr. < '61., Wye, 1904, No. 13, p. 111). — A plat having received no cultivation beyond 

 keeping down the weeds for 9 years gave a higher yield than a plat cultivated deeply 

 each year and one without cultivation for 3 years. The result is considered due to 

 thf smaller effect of a heavy rainfall on the hard uncultivated soil. 



Experiments in breeding Szekler maize, C. Fruwirth (Fuhling's Landw. '/Ay., 

 53 {1904), No. 11, pp. 407-41-)- — Breeding by selection was carried on from 1898 to 

 1901', inclusive. The objects of the work were to promote earliness and to obtain a 

 better filling out of the ear, higher yields of grain, and a lower percentage of husks 

 and cob. 



An effort to breed plants producing only one ear was also made, but no definite 

 success was obtained. Moist seasons seemed to favor the production of more than 

 one ear per plant. Improvement in earliness was apparent, and the results in increas- 

 ing the percentage and absolute yield of the grain were good, but the reduction in the 

 percentage of husks and cob was unimportant. 



Peanuts, C. L. Newman {Arkansas Sta. Bui. 84, pp. 117-129). — A popular bulletin 

 on the culture and uses of peanuts. The results obtained at some of the experiment 

 stations with this crop are reviewed and the maximum yields at the station are 

 recorded. The highest yield was obtained from Spanish peanuts at the Camden 

 Branch Station, the yield being 143.5 bu. per acre, while the highest yields at Fay- 

 etteville were 113.6 bu. per acre for Virginia White and 109.09 bu. for the Spanish 

 variety. 



Selection of seed in potato growing, E. M. East {Illinois Sta. Circ. 81, pp. 1„ J ). — 

 Directions are given for the selection of seed in potato culture, and the different 

 points considered in this connection are type characteristics, size, shape, color, depth 

 and number of eyes, tendency to second growth, and keeping quality. Figures on 

 the value of the potato crop in Illinois are presented and the deterioration of varieties 

 is discussed. The work on the improvement of the potato, by Girard, is reviewed. 



On the behavior of the rice plant to nitrates and ammonium salts, M. 

 Nagaoka {Bui. Col. Agr., Tokyo Imp. Univ., G {1904), No. 3, pp. 285-334, pis. 6).— 

 Several series of pot experiments to determine whether nitric nitrogen is utilized by 

 rice plani.< as well as nitrogen of ammonium salts are reported. The results indicate 

 that the effect of sodium nitrate both as regards yield and assimilated nitrogen is 



