FIELD CEOPS. 659 



(1904), No. 47, p. 426). — The results of experiments by different investigators, 

 together with literature on the subject, are reviewed at some length and the author's 

 own work is described. A bibliography of 78 references is given. 



It is concluded from the results that on soils with proper subsoil cereals draw part 

 of their water supply from the lower strata, and that their roots have the capacity 

 to grow deep into the soil independent of worm or old root channels. The roots of 

 oats at the time of heading and maturity of the plants were heavier than the roots 

 of wheat and barley. It was also found that in the weight of the root system the 

 more readily grown varieties ranked above those requiring more favorable conditions 

 of growth. During the early stages of growth development was comparatively 

 greater in the root than in the portion above ground, and this was particularly true 

 with wheat as compared with oats and barley. 



Observations on the tillering capacity did not show that in general the most pro- 

 ductive varieties tillered less than those producing smaller yields. Chevalier barley 

 was grown at different distances so that the area per plant ranged from 10 sq. cm. to 

 5,000 sq. cm., and the results show that the distance had a marked effect on tillering, 

 period of growth, straw and grain production, length and weight of head, and the 

 number of kernels produced per head; and that this effect was favorable in so far as 

 each point was favored by the increase in area per plant. These results, however, 

 are not considered generally applicable to other than plat conditions. 



The development of the roots and the consequent withdrawing of plant food from 

 the soil was no less where the plant was given 50, 105, or200sq. cm. than where it was 

 given 10 or 32 sq. cm. Every stem of the barley plants showed about the same root 

 development regardless of the distance between plants, thus showing that in root 

 production the stem was independent of the plant. Soil in good physical condition, 

 but poor in plant food, gave a better yield than rich soil in poor physical condition. 



Alfalfa, C. D. Woods (Maine Sin. Bui. 106, pp. 1 .'7, 128). — A brief review is here 

 given of the attempts to grow alfalfa in New England. 



A test with eight varieties of barley, R. S. Seton (Yorkshire Col., Leeds, and 

 East and West Ridings Joint Agr. Council [Pamphlet] 89, 1903, pp. 10). — The experi- 

 ments with barley showed that from 2\ to 3 bu. of seed per acre gave the best 

 returns in yield and quality. A dressing of 5 cwt. of salt per acre on medium loam 

 or light soil in good condition, indicated an improvement in yield and quality. For 

 this same kind of soil in only moderate condition, the use of 1 cwt. of sulphate of 

 ammonia and 2 cwt. each of superphosphate and kainit are recommended for barley 

 culture. 



The influence of artificial manures on the yield, chemical composition, 

 and malting qualities of barley, H. Hunter ( Yorkshire Col., Leeds, and East and 

 West Ridings Joint Agr. Council [Pamphlet] 37, 1903, pp. 12). — The results obtained 

 indicated that nitrogen in a complete fertilizer application does not involve a corre- 

 spondingly higher proportion of nitrogen in the grain. The use of phosphatic ma- 

 nures largely increased the yield but did not increase the proportion of phosphoric 

 acid. Potash apparently influenced the yield of grain less than the other elements, 

 but with its use the potash content of the grain was increased. 



With reference to quality, the best results came from the use of a complete fertil- 

 izer application, the percentage of nitrogen in the grain being lowest and the per- 

 centage of potash highest; and this was accompanied by the highest proportion of 

 extract and the highest diastatic capacity in the malt. The complete applications 

 were also most effective in increasing the yield. 



The culture and drying of chicory (Bui. Mens. Off. Renseignements Agr., 3 

 (1904), No. 10, pp. 1191-1200). — The condition of the chicory industry in England 

 and Belgium is described. The methods of culture followed in the two countries 

 are discussed and a comparison of the production of dried chicory from an economic 

 point of view is presented. 



