FIELD CROPS. 767 



Trials with potatoes at Danish plant experiment stations, F. Hansen et al. 

 (Ugeskr. Landm., 49 ( 1904), Nos. 15, pp. 196-198; 19, pp. 289-241). — Richter Imper- 

 ator and Magnum Bonum seed potatoes of 4 differenl sizes, weighing 20, 30, 80, an<! 

 160 gm., were planted at intervals of 8 to 16 in. in rows 3 Et. apart. The average 

 results for 6 years show that the largest seed potatoes gave the largest gross yield, but 

 that the net yield was. in general, heaviest from potatoes somewhal above medium 

 size and with a distance of nol inure than 12 in. between the potatoes in the row. 



Trials with whole '■. cut seed potatoes showed that, as a rule, the whole potatoes 

 produced a heavier yield than where they were divided into half or quarter pieces. 

 The potatoes were carefully cut and immediately planted. It was shown that larger 

 tubers are likely to he obtained from cut seed than from whole potatoes of the same 

 weight. — f. w. woll. 



Analyses of potatoes grown in 1902, S. Hals and A. Kavli ( Tidsskr. Xorskc 

 Landbr., 10 (190-1), No. 1.', jq>. 535-541). — The average composition of 33 samples of 

 potatoes grown in different parts of Norway in 1902 was as follows: Water 79.95, ash 

 0.88, protein 1.86, starch 14.27, other nonnitrogenous suhstances 2.52, and crude fiber 

 0.52 per cent. The fat w r as not determined. According to chemical analysis the 

 potatoes contained 20.05 per cent of dry matter as compared with 19.2 percent by 

 calculation. The starch content by calculation was 13.4 per cent. — f. w. woll. 



Sugar-beet culture, M. H. Pingree and W. Frear {Pennsylvania sin. Rpt. 1903, 

 pp. 28-3? ). — These experiments, conducted in 1902, were in continuation of previous 

 work (E. S. R., 14, p. 141). The beets were grown in '■', different counties. The 

 average results show a sugar content in the beets ranging from 13.02 to 18.37 per 

 cent. In the entire series of samples only 2 fell below the usual purity requirement. 

 The weight of beets in the samples varied from 0.2 to 1.1 lbs. and averaged 0.02 lb. 

 The size of the beets was too small for a profitable yield. 



The temperature and rainfall for the season, and the held and laboratory results 

 are given in tables. The work of each individual grower is briefly described. 



Trials with sugar beets, 1904, F. W. Woll, R. A. Moore, and A. L. Stone 

 ( Wisconsin Sta. Rpt. 1904, pp. 321-326, pi. 1, <!<jin. 1). — The work with sugar beets 

 this season was in cooperation with the Bureau of Chemistry of this Department and 

 was conducted to study the influence of environment on the sugar beet. The crop 

 on the different plats followed sugar beets, soy beans, and crimson clover. 



Washington-grown Kleinwanzleben seed and seed kept over from the year before. 

 showing 160 and 107 per cent of viable seeds, respectively, was planted at the rate 

 of 20 lbs. per acre. Hot sultry weather in August turned the lower leaves yellow, 

 but later the plants took on new life. Samples taken from September 20 to October 

 17 contained 12.77, 12.64, 12.33, 13.48, and 13.32 per cent of sugar for samples 1 to 5, 

 respectively. The estimated yields of beets per acre ranged from 21.32 to 28.77 

 tons and the yields of sugar from 6,124 to 8,009 lbs. The results at harvesting time 

 showed an average calculated yield of 25.04 tons of beets and 7,340 lbs. of sugar per 

 acre and an average sugar content of 14.63 per cent in the beets. The total leaf pro- 

 duction was at the rate of 7 tons per acre. The removal of dirt by washing the beets 

 caused a loss of per cent in weight. 



The new seed produced an average yield of 25.79 tons of beets and 7,518 lbs. of 

 sugar per acre, ami the old seed 22.70 tons of beets and 6,807 lbs. of sugar. The 

 average percentage of sugar in the beets from the new seed was 14.6, and from the 

 old 15. The smaller tonnage from the old seed was due to its lower germination. 

 The average yield of suirar beets at the university farm from 1890 to 1904 was 17.37 

 tons and of sugar 4,900 lbs. per acre, the average percentage of sugar in the beets 

 being 14.1. The differences in the yields of the various plats were apparently due 

 to a difference in soil. In the experience of the station strong and healthy beets 

 may be grown on the same land during successive seasons if the climatic conditions 

 are favorable and the soil is highly fertile. 



