870 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



weight of the rool varies considerably, but the average w eight of the roots of different 

 types is of value in determining comparative yields. The author does not consider 

 the average weight of the root as a definite type characteristic. 



The anatomical characters also showed marked differences between individuals and 



differences between types were likewise observed, but the study is not considered 



extensive enough to reach definite conclusions with reference to anatomical differ- 

 ences between the types. In studying the subject from a physiological and agricul- 

 tural standpoint marked differences were found in time of maturity, yield, sugar 

 content, and consumption of plant food. The asli content of the roots is almost in 

 inverse ratio to the sugar content, although this ratio varies with the type. The 

 nitrogen content showed marked differences between types but bore no relation 

 to the sugar content. The distribution of nutrients to the leaves ami roots appeared, 

 in general, to vary with the type regardless of whether the same was high or low- 

 in sugar. 



The author states that between the different types all the characters observed 

 varied very much along the same lines and within wide limits, so that differences 

 can be based only upon data obtained from numerous investigations. The causes to 

 which the differences are due are mainly environment, plant food supply, and 

 individuality. A list of 42 references concludes the article. 



The supply of plant food in its relation to variation in plants: Experiments 

 with sugar beets and carrots, E. Laurent ( Bui. Agr. [Brussels], 19 (1903), No. 5, 

 pp. 680-647, pis. ■-')• — Different applications of fertilizers with one plant food element 

 predominating were used and their effect upon variation in the plants was observed 

 for several years. 



The results to date indicate that for the production of sugar-beet seed it is advisa- 

 ble to apply heavy applications of phosphoric acid for the reason that this element 

 is necessary in the formation of the embryo and the reserve material, ami also tends 

 to produce a higher sugar content in the beet. Sodium chlorid in the soil apparently 

 had the effect of lengthening both carrots ami beets and of reducing the diameter of 

 the terminal portion. Where lime, potash, and superphosphate were given the 

 tendency to produce carrots cylindrical and obtuse in form was observed. 



Seedling and other canes at Barbados, 1904, .1. 1'. d' Albuquerque kt ax. 

 (Imp. Dipt. Agr. West Indies, Pamphlet 82, 1904, PP- 78). — The results obtained with 

 a list of seedling canes in 1904 are briefly described and reported in tables. The 

 seedling B. 208 gave very favorable results on red soils, and l'». 147, although giving 

 satisfactory results on certain thin and well-drained soils, did not seem suitable for 

 general cultivation. 



Tobacco breeding, A. D. Selby (Ohio Sta. />'»/. 156, pp. 108-114, pis. 3). — A pre- 

 liminary statement concerning work in the selection and crossing of tobacco in rela- 

 tion to new varieties is given, and a description of the methods followed at the 

 station included. Of 30 crosses produced in 1903, 25 were grown in 1004 and of these 

 only 15 will be planted in 1905. 



Researches on the fertilizer requirements of tobacco, A. C. Girard and E. 

 Rousseaux (Ann. Sci. Agron., 2. ser. } 1904, I, No. 8, pp. 376-471; II, No. 1, 

 pp. 16-47). — Thisarticle is mainly a treatise on tobacco culture with special consider- 

 ation of the fertilizer requirements. 



The total quantity of plant food used by the tobacco crop varies widely with the 

 yield, and the results in this work are based upon 1,000 kg. of dry leaves. It was 

 found that smoking tobacco, owing to the closer planting, removes per hectare nearly 

 twice the quantity of plant food removed by tobacco grown for snuff, but that per 

 ton of dry leaves the quantities of nitrogen and phosphoric acid were about the same, 

 while the quantity of potash was greater in the snuff tobacco. 



While the tobacco plant as a whole uses considerable plant food, the crop is not 

 considered very exhaustive, because the amount removed in the leaves is compara- 



