4-42 EXPEKIMENT STATION RECORD. 



them. The resuhs further show that in general both the increase in soil humidity 

 and the use of nitrogenous fertilizers slightly reduced the number of undeveloped 

 si^ikelets. The increase in the weight of the heads was especially noticeable when 

 tlie application of nitrogen in the fertilize!' accompanied an increase in soil humidity. 

 The percentage relation of the grain to the entire plant was somewhat decreased by 

 the high degree of soil humidity. This decrease was greatest when the jilants 

 received no nitrogen, otherwise it was much less perceptible. The authors state 

 that so long as nitrogen is present in insufficient quantities the use of nitrogenous fer- 

 tilizers will increase the percentage of gain, rather than decrease it as is often believed. 

 The average weight of the heads of plants grown under conditions of a low and high 

 soil humidity, was as 100:125, while the weight of their grains was as 100:121. Nitrog- 

 enous fertilizers increased the number and percentage of poorly developed grains. 

 From the results obtained upon investigating the mealiness of the grain and deter- 

 mining the content of nitrogen and nitrogen-free extract, the authors conclude that 

 on dry soils nitrogenous fertilizers tend to increase the nitrogen content of the grain, 

 but that there is less danger of producing barley too rich in nitrogen for brewing 

 pui'poses by the use of nitrogen in fertilizers when the soil is moist. 



Culture and improvement of field beets, A. Kiksche (Denf. Landiv. Presse,28 

 {1901), No. 20, p. 167). — A report on culture and selection tests. 



Cotton production of European and Asiatic Russia {Milt. Dent. Landiv. 

 GeselL, 16 {1901), Sup. (<> No. 11, p. 73). 



Forage plants for Kansas, A. S. Hitchcock and J. M. Westgate {Kansas Sta. 

 Bui. 102, pp. 179-220, Jig.^. SO, pis. 16). — This bulletin describes briefly a large number 

 of forage plants considered valuable for the State, including those giving promise of 

 success at the experiment station grass garden. Directions are given for the culture 

 of millets, sorghum, timothy, red clover, mammoth clover, and native grasses. 

 The renovation of worn-out native pastures is also l^riefly discussed. The following 

 forage plants are described: Soy bean {Ghjcme hisjyala), white clover {Trifolhun 

 repens), mammoth clover ( T. mef/m/n), red clover (T. pratcnsc), alsike clover, Swedish 

 clover {T. hybridum), buffalo clover {T. reflcvuni), crimson clover (7. incamatum), 

 Egyptian clover {T. ale.randrinum), Bokhara or sweet clover (Md'dotus alba), alfalfa 

 {Medkago saliva), hairy vetch {Vkla rUlosa), spring vetch {Yiria sativa), Dakota 

 vetch {Lotus americanus) , bird's-foot trefoil {L. roniirnlatiis), white lupine {Lnpinus 

 albus), blue lupine (X. hir.vitus), yellow lupine (/>. lateas), flat pea {L(dhyrtis si/lrcs- 

 tris loagneri), Jai)an clover ( Lcf^pedrza striatu) , serradella ( Ornithojms sativiis), sainfoin 

 {Ono}>njchis saliva), chick-pea {(Hcer arivtinum), beggar weed {Dvsmodinin tortuosum), 

 Scotch broom {Cijti.ms .'<coparius) , furze ( (Jltw europivus), velvet bean {Munina utili.'i), 

 green gram {Phaseolus mungo), timothy {Plileurn ])ratense), orchard grass {Dactylis 

 glomerata), meadow fescue {Festnca pratensis), Kentucky blue grass {Poa pratcnsis), 

 Canadian blue grass (P. compressa) , Texas blue grass {P. arachmfera) , redtop {Agrostis 

 vulgaris), tall oat grass {Arrhvnatherum avenaceum), Bermuda grass {Cynodon dacty- 

 lon), goose grass {Elensine indica), Johnson grass {Andropogon h(depen.'iis), awnless 

 brome grass {Bronnts inermis), foxtail millets {Setarin viridi.^), barnyard millet {Pan^- 

 cwn CTUs-galli), shama millet {Panicum coloniini), sanwa millet {Paniruni frumenta- 

 ceum), broom-corn millets {Panicum miliaceiun) , pearl millet {Pennwtivni spicatum or 

 P. typlioideurn), teosinte {Euchhena lu.imrian.i), sorghum {Andropogon .sorghum or 

 SorgJiuin rulgare), corn {Zea, may.s), rye {Secale cereale), rape {Brajisica riajnis), Austra- 

 lian saltbush {Atriplcf semibaccata) , giant spurry {Spergulu maxima), and common 

 morning-glory {Lpomoea hederacea). 



The botanical composition of native pastures was studied by laying off a typical 

 square rod within the pasture, removing the entire vegetation and separating, dry- 

 ing, counting, and weighing the different species represented. Upland pastures in 

 good, average, and poor conditions were chosen, and the results for each are 

 recorded. A few brief notes on the grazing capacity of native {)astures and their 



