1072 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



for corn judging adopted by t he Indiana Corn Growers' Association is presented, 

 with an explanation of the different points. 



The results of cooperative experiments in corn improvement are also reported. 

 Twenty-one varieties tested in different sections of the State in 1903-4 showed con- 

 siderable variation in yielding power. Experiments to increase the yield and to pro- 

 duce more uniform types are also in progress and the first season's results show Aery 

 clearly the influence of individuality upon yielding capacity. 



The effect of soil fertility upon the percentage of barren stalks was studied on 

 ground that had been in corn continuously for 20 years and was badly run down. 

 The experiments comprised 18 plats of 4 rows each, with 1, 2, 3, and 4 stalks per 

 hill, respectively. The number of barren stalks ranged from 0.44 percent in the 

 1-stalk rows to 9.89 per cent in the 4-stalk rows in 1903, and from 6.5 to 40.74 per- 

 cent, respectively, in 1904, when the soil was very dry at the time the ears were 

 forming. 



The percentage of good ears, as well as the percentage of ears to fodder, was in 

 favor of the 2 thinner rates of planting. The progress made at the station in breed- 

 ing 5 varieties of corn for higher feeding value is shown in a table. Considerable 

 gains in the protein content of the seed were made during the first year, but the seed 

 produced the second year showed a falling off in the average composition in all 

 cases except one. 



Suggestions for Missouri corn growers, M. F. Miller (Missouri Sta. ('ire. of 

 Information 19, pp. 27, fig*. 6). — This bulletin is a popular discussion of the value of 

 good seed corn, the proper care of seed corn, and the importance of using pure-bred 

 corn. The characters of good seed ears are described, methods of corn breeding out- 

 lined, and directions for judging corn are given, with a description of the different 

 points of the score card. 



Second annual meeting of Missouri Corn Growers' Association (Missouri 

 State Bel. Agr. Mo. Bid. 4 (190.5), No. 8, pp. 52, figs. 8).— This bulletin is a partial 

 report of the proceedings of this meeting, held under the auspices of the State Board 

 of Agriculture and the agricultural college. 



Papers on the following topics are reproduced: The work of our experiment sta- 

 tions on corn improvement, what the farmer may do in corn improvement, commer- 

 cial fertilizers as supplements to barnyard manure and leguminous crops, Indian 

 corn — from a practical farmer's point of view, corn pollination, the chemistry of 

 corn, and the corn worm or bollworm. The Missouri corn score card is presented, 

 with directions for judging. 



The results of cooperative experiments with commercial fertilizers for corn and 

 potatoes, discussed in one of the papers, show that applications of bone meal and 

 blood were applied at a loss, while with the addition of sulphate of potash large 

 profits were secured. 



An overlooked forage plant of high value (Festuca arundinacea) (Nord. 

 Mejeri Tidn., 19 (1904), No. 31, pp. 415, 416). — This is said to be especially valuable 

 on alluvial clays rich in humus. — f. w. woll. 



Light and dark colored flaxseed, II. Snyder (Minnesota Sta. Bid. Hit. pp. 226, 

 227). — A test was made to determine the difference in the oil content of dark and 

 light colored flaxseeds. The oil content of yellow-tinged, dark-brown, and light- 

 brown flaxseed was 34.64, 36.09, and 35.10 per cent, respectively. The protein con- 

 tent in these samples ranged from 22.33 to 22.93 per cent. The germinating powers 

 of the different colored samples and the quality of the oil extracted from them were 

 practically the same. 



Hop culture in Bohemia, R. Graas (Arb. Deut. Sek. Landeskultur rates Konigr. 

 Bohmen, 1904, No. 7, pp. 102, figs. 20, dgms. 3, map 1).— The history and statistics of 

 Bohemian hop culture and a description of the hop plant, together with cultural 

 directions, are given and means for the protection and promotion of the industry are 



