FIELD CROPS. 5(U 



inferior I" thai of ammonium sulphate. The nitrogen of the latter was easily assim- 

 ilated in proportion to the quantity applied. There was more or less residual effect 

 (hiring the second year from both the nitrate and the sulphate. 



"It was sufficiently proved in all of t lie trials, that paddy plants can not utilize nitric 

 nitrogen as well as ammoniacal nitrogen. The causes of this phenomenon may be: 

 i I i Paddy plants do not accumulate a sufficient quantity of sugar in the leaves to 

 converi all of the nitric acid absorbed into protein. The pale yellowish color of the 

 rice plants supplied with nitrate is probably due to the physiological influence of 

 accumulated nitrate. (2) In paddy soils, denitrification and also formation of poison- 

 ous nitrites may take place. Indeed, the pots of the series of experiments with 

 heavy doses of the nitrate gave a slight Griess reaction for nitrite. 



•' In order to test my suppositions as to the denitrification a quantity of paddy soil 

 with some sodium nitrate was kept in flasks well filled. Some nitrogen was grad- 

 ually developed. As to the relative value of the nitric and ammoniacal nitrogen 

 upon the paddy rice plant, Juncus, and arrowhead, it is seen that for 100 of the 

 ammoniacal nitrogen, the nitric nitrogen had the following value: With paddy rice 

 40 (the result of the second series of experiments), with Juncus 37, with arrowhead 

 33. If the relative value for the paddy rice plant (40) is assumed to be 100, the value 

 of the nitric nitrogen will be 90 for the Juncus and 80 for the arrowhead." 



Native and introduced saltbushes, E. Nelson ( Wyoming Sta. Bui. 63, pp. 19, 

 figs. 7). — Experiments with saltbushes at the station, the results of a 3-years' test of 

 Australian and native species, and observations made in the field are reported. The 

 work was carried on in cooperation with this Department. The characteristics and 

 distribution of saltbushes in general are given, and 7 of the more common species 

 occurring in Wyoming are described. 



The results of the different phases of the work indicated that the shrubby species 

 are unsuited to cultivation, and that Nuttali and Nelson saltbushes, although of slow 

 growth, make a good stand under favorable conditions and may be grown for pastur- 

 age. The native annual species, Atriplex truncata, A. argentea, and A. philonitra, are 

 readily grown in moist alkali land and can be cut for hay. The best germination was 

 obtained by weathering the seed and sowing the same on moist soil. 



The results of different methods of planting were in favor of covering the seeds one- 

 half inch deep; but nearly as good results were obtained by sowing without cover- 

 ing. Fall and very early spring proved to be the best time for sowing the seed. The 

 culture of saltbushes is recommended on loose and friable soils moderately moist, 

 and on moist alkali land not suited to other crops. The pasturage on alkali lands 

 may be materially improved by simply sowing the seed, but with some cultural 

 treatment greater success may be expected. 



The growth, of sugar cane, Z. Kamerling (Separate from Meded. Proefstat. Suiker- 

 rlet West Java, 1904, No. 18, pp. 20, pi. 1). — Measurements of the growth in height of 

 sugar cane are recorded and discussed. The development of the cane is considered 

 as apparent and actual growth. In the beginning of the growing period the apparent 

 growth is greater than the actual growth, while toward the end of the period the 

 reverse is the case. Directions are given for measuring the growth of cane, and the 

 value of the measurements is pointed out. 



A new method of planting and cultivating sugar cane ( Nuevo mitodo >lr 

 siembras y cultivos de In carta de azucar. Havana: " La Prueba," 1904 t pp. 91, ph. h r >). — 

 A treatise on sugar-cane culture in Cuba. 



Sugar beets, F. \V. Tkaphagen (Montana Sta. Bui. ■'>.', pp. 55). — This bulletin 

 points out the requisites for the successful operation of beet-sugar factories, and given 

 general directions for the culture of sugar beets, together with data regarding the 

 beet-sugar production and consumption of the United States and other countries. A 

 number of factories and the territories from which they obtain their beets are 



