FIELD CROPS. 39 



lost 0.8 per cent of its orijjinal weight and after 58 days 1.19 per cent. During the 

 lirst 58 days it gave off 15.7 per cent cubic feet of gas, or about double the volume 

 occupied by the silage. The first 5 hours 2,400 cc. of gas were given off per hour, 

 but during the 22 days preceding September 6 the average rate per hour was only 

 91 oc. The first 5 days the ratio of carbon dioxid to other gases was 47.10 to 52.90, 

 but for tlie re.<t of the time it averaged 78.41 to 21.59. 



Management of ensilage crops, A. M. Soule ( Vniv. Tennessee Record, 4 {1901), 

 No. 1, pp. 6S-75, 1i(j>i. .5) . — This article discusses in a popular maimer the growing of 

 silage crops and points out the value of silage for feeding purposes. Corn, oats, 

 cowpeas, sorghum, Kafir corn, and teosinte are considered in this connection. 



The textile agaves of Algeria {Bui. Soc. Nat. Agr. France, 61 {1901), No. l,pp. 

 52-54). — A series of brief descriptive notes of various textile plants belonging to the 

 genus Agave, which are grown in Algeria. 



Corn culture, R. J. Redding ( Georgia Sta. Bui. 51, pp. 273-293). — Cultural, variety, 

 seed, and fertilizer tests with corn are reported. The work is in continuation of that 

 previously noted (E. S. R., 11, p. 1030) . Weather indications are reported as exceed- 

 ingly favorable. Among 16 varieties of corn tested in 1900, Cocke Prolific, Sanders, 

 Tennessee Yellow, Georgia Cracker, and \'^irginia Horsetooth, given in the order of 

 their productiveness, yielded from 45.20 to 51.31 bu. of shelled corn per acre; Hoff- 

 man AVhite ranking last, yielded 34.75 bu. The yields obtained from 11 varieties 

 for several years, including this season, are given in a table. A comparison of several 

 methods of harvesting showed that cutting and shocking corn about the middle of 

 August gave a greater yield of shelled corn and stover than harvesting the leaves 

 separateh' at that time, or harvesting the stalks with the leaves after the plant has 

 become dry. 



A fertilizer application containing 45 per cent acid ijhosphate, 2 per cent muriate 

 of potash, and 53 per cent of cotton-seed meal applied at the rate of 600 lbs. per acre 

 on uplands increased the yield 1.45 bu. as compared with 400 lbs. and 2.61 bu. as 

 comjiared with the yield from 200 lbs. A test of applying fertilizer broadcast or in 

 drills led to the conclusion that fertilizers properly applied in the drill will give as 

 large a yield as double the amount broadcasted. As in previous years, nitrate of 

 soda, cotton-seed meal, and dried blood were compared as sources of nitrogen. 

 Dried blood was a little more effective than the other two fertilizers but it was less 

 profitable. Cotton-seed meal at from $17 to $20 per ton is considered the cheapest 

 source of nitrogen for a corn crop. Fertilizer formulas for corn on different Georgia 

 soils are given. 



From the results of experiments on the relative value of planting corn at different 

 distances, the author concludes that a distance 2 by 4 ft. is preferable to other dis- 

 tances on upland soils capable of producing from 35 to 40 bu. of shelled corn per 

 acre, but that on the unimproved and badly worn soils the distance between hills 

 should range from 5 by 4 ft. to 5 by 5 ft. 



No advantage was observed in selecting kernels for seed from either the butt end 

 or the middle of the ear, but kernels from the third of the ear, including the tip, 

 were more pnjlific than kernels from the other j^arts. 



The effects of continued use of immature seed corn, E. S. Gopf ( Wiscon.Hin 

 Sta. Rpt. 1900, pp. 297-2.99).— A study of this subject was begun in 1896. The 

 results obtained during 5 years are tabulated, and the effects upon the yield of corn 

 and stalks and upon the time of maturity are discussed. The variety grown was 

 King Philip, a variety of flint corn. The very immature seed gave smaller yields of 

 corn and stalks and slightly earlier maturity than the fully matured seed. Larger 

 yields were obtained from seed corn gathered slightly immature. 



Corn growing {Sci. Amer. Sup., 51 {1901), No. 1310, pp. 21000, 21001).— A 

 r6sum6 of the result of 12 years' work at different experiment stations hi the United 

 States, with conclusions based upon the rc-^ults. 



