FIELD CROPS. 



Composition of Mored mangeh. 



131 



From the table it will be seen that the nitrate of soda apparently increased the 

 loss of sugar in the beets during storage and likewise of some other constituents. 

 The experiment is being continued. 



Variety tests and fertilizer experiments with fodder beets, A. Arnstadt 

 (FithU)i(/s Landu: Zty., 49 {1900), Xo. 32, pp. 835-839).— The varieties compared, 

 Tannenkriiger, Eckendorfer, and Oliven, yielded per morgen (about 0.6 acre) 30,240, 

 22,680, and 17,640 kg. of l^eets, and 3,600, 2,700, and 3,240 kg. of leaves, respectively. 

 The Oliven variety yielded 18 kg. of leaves and the other 2 varieties 12 kg. to each 

 100 kg. of beets. The Tannenkriiger variety was grown from selected seed obtained 

 directly from the seed grower, while the seed for the other varieties was home grown, 

 and the author believes that this circumstance has had a greater influence on the 

 yield than the variety itself. 



The results of the fertilizer experiments show that an application of 50 kg. each of 

 nitrate of soda and superphosphate per morgen in addition to a copious dressing of 

 barnyard manure was insufficient to obtain the largest yield. By doubling these 

 quantities the increase in yield was also doubled. The author observed that a lack 

 in the soil of phosphoric acid not only flecreased the yield of beets but retarded their 

 ripening and increased their water content, which was injurious to their keeping 

 qualities. 



Report on experiments on the comparative merits of varieties of oats, R. P. 

 Wkight and A. N. McAlpine ( Wed of Scotland Agr. Col. Rpt. 1899, pp. .^0).— These 

 experiments were carried out on 17 farms distributed over the center and southwest 

 of Scotland. The object of the work was to determine the most profitable varieties 

 and to ascertain the effect of climate and soil on their relative productiveness. The 

 experiments and the results are discussed at some length and all the data obtained 

 are given in tables or presented graphically. The varieties tested were Providence, 

 Potato, Sandy, Hamilton, Longhoughton, Newmarket, Tam Finlay, Tartar King, 

 Black Tartar, Pioneer, Waverly, Banner, Improved Ligowo, Aljundance, Golden 

 Giant, Siberian, and American Beauty, the last 6 varieties mentioned l)eing Canadian 

 sorts. Pot experiments were made with 12 of these varieties to study their tillering 

 powers and to compare the number of full-sized mature shoots, immature dwarf shoots, 

 undeveloped heads, and very immature shoots not lieyond the leafy stage, produced 

 by the different varieties. The weight of produce from each pot and the i>ercentage 

 of kernel, husk, and moisture and the yield of meal were determined and are given 

 in tabular form. 



In these tests Banner, Longhoughton, Potato, and Black Tartarian were the best 

 grain-producing varieties and the Potato iiroduced rather more straw, but its grain, 

 altliough the yields were about the same, was .Momewhat inferior in (juality jus com- 

 pared with Longhoughton. The total yield of the Banner was eciual in weight to 



