662 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Safflower and safflower oil, K. Ippolitov (Khozyain, 1003, Nos. 1, 2; abs. in 

 Zhur. Opuitn. Agron. [Russ. Jour. Expt. Landw."], 5(1904), No. 3, pp. 403, 404)- — 

 The author gives, on the basis of 4 years' experience, what he considers the best 

 method of cultivating safflower. — 1\ fireman. 



Soy beans in Maine, C. D. Woods and J. M. Bakti.ktt ( Maine Sta. Bid. 106, 

 pp. 118-121). — Several varieties of soy beans were grown at the station in 1903 and 

 I'.miI. The early white soy bean matured, and the medium early green and black 

 varieties formed pods. Henderson Early in earliness and yield was as satisfactory 

 as any of the varieties tested. The largest yield in 1903 from drills 3 ft. apart was 

 only a little over 5 tons per acre, but it is believed would have been nearly or quite 

 doubled if the drills bad been placed 16 in. apart. 



Soy bean and corn silage in the proportion of about 14 of corn to 9 of beans kept 

 perfectly and was eaten with great relish by stock. 



The influence of sodium salts in the soil on the composition of sugar 

 cane, II. C. Prinsen Geerligs (Separate from Meded. Proefstat. Suikerriet West Jura, 

 1904, No. 76, pp. 14). — The subject is discussed and the results of different investi- 

 gators who have worked along this same line are reviewed. The ash constituents of 

 juices from canes grown on soil with different salt content are shown in a table. 



The author found that an application of a solution of either sodium chlorid, cal- 

 cium chlorid, or magnesium chlorid to the soil caused an increase of potash in the 

 ash of the cane, as compared with cane grown in soil not treated with chlorids. 

 Where the sodium chlorid was applied the sodium content also increased, but not 

 to the same extent as potash, being only 18 per cent of the potash content in the 

 cane containing the largest quantity of sodium. 



It is concluded from these results that a reaction between sodium chlorid and the 

 silicate or carbonate of potash takes place, by which chlorid of potash is formed, 

 which can be taken up by the plant. 



Sweet-potato culture, M. B. Waite (Rpt. Man/hind State Hort. Soc, 5 (1902), 

 ]>/>. -~>h' : -', pis. 3). — The author gives an account of his methods of growing sweet 

 potatoes in Maryland. He has been very successful in growing them as an inter- 

 cultural crop in the orchard, and states that in his Kieffer pear orchard the trees 

 came into bearing at 5 years of age and bore from 3 to 5 bu. of good pears where 

 sweet potatoes had been a regular crop. Where the potatoes had not been planted 

 the pears were not so good, and the yield of fruit was only one-quarter to one-half 

 the amount obtained where the sweet potatoes were grown. 



Success in dry weather has been obtained by setting the plants out after dipping 

 the roots in a thin, cream-like mixture of clay and water. The author believes that 

 even better results are obtained by this method than where they are planted out in a 

 rainy time. Transplanting is done by machinery, and this can be successfully worked 

 only in dry weather. 



The fire hotbed is regarded as much more efficient for raising plants than the 

 manure hotbed. The attempt is made to keep the beds up to at least 90° F. ; 98 to 

 100° will do no harm, but is not considered quite as desirable as a temperature of 

 between 80 and 90°. The temperature should not be allowed to drop below 60°. 

 The author believes that while good plants can be obtained by running a bed pretty 

 dry, more plants can be obtained by keeping the furnace hot and the bed damp. 



The Big Stem Jersey is the variety grown, as it has been found best in quality and 

 the best producer. Seed is obtained from those hills which yield from 6 to 18 mar- 

 ketable potatoes. 



The potatoes are put in the storage house as soon as dry, and the house warmed up 

 to a temperature of at least 60° or above. With only a small quantity of potatoes in the 

 building a lower temperature may be used, but in the author's storage house, where 

 there are about 1,000 bbls. in one room, a temperature of about 90° is considered 



