FIELD CROPS. 645 



Oat experiments, C. L. Newman {Arhitisas Sla. lUtl. an, pp.j.i). — Tliis bulletin 

 is II I'onciw pivyi'iitatioii of tlir results of culture, fertilizer, and variety tests with 

 oats. It was foinid tliat oowpeas, Spauisli peanuts, soy beans, sor<j;lnnn, corn, Kafir 

 corn, (iernian millet, sweet jtotatoes, and second vvo[> Irish potatoes gave profitable 

 results when sown after oats had been harvested. Thorough preparation of the soil 

 increased the yield of oats from 50 to 100 per cent as compared with poor prepara- 

 tion. Plowing the soil 8 and 10 in. deep gave better results than plowing 6 in. deep 

 or less. Plowing in the fall and replowing in the spring gave larger returns than a 

 single plowing either in fall or spring. Harrowing and disking after plowing and just 

 before sowing, and covering the seed with a double-shovel cultivator, seemed to be 

 the best method of putting in the crop. 



Report on variety tests with oats in 1900, G. Martinet {Jour. Soc. Agr. 

 Suisse Rumanilc, 4 J {l'>01), No. 1, pj/. 3~4<s\ pi. l). 



Cooperative variety tests with oats in North Germany, Clausen {Landw. 

 Wchuhl. Sddesing-Hohtcin, 51 {1901), No. 16, pp. 237-239) .—A. report on varieties of 

 oats grown on marsh and sandy soils. 



The culture of oats, V. Grandjean {Semaine Agr., 21 {1901), No. 1027, pp 101, 

 102) . — This article is a popular discussion on the culture of oats in France. 



Harvesting the pea crop {Fanning World, IS {1901), No. 26, pp. 590-592, figs. 

 6). — A po]>ular discussion on harvesting field jieas by means of pea harvesters. 



Composition of potatoes at various stages of growth, C. H. Jones and B. O. 

 White ( Vermont Sta. Rpt. 1900, pp. 374-382). — This report describes experiments 

 with potatoes, conducted in 1898 and 1899, to determine the chemical differences 

 which might exist in marketable and small tubers when dug at different stages of 

 growth. The analyses of the different samples are shown in tables. In 1898, 2 

 varieties, White Star and Delaware, were grown, and in 1899 the Delaware variety 

 only was used. The results showed that quite marked differences in composition 

 existed between the 2 varieties. The variations lietween samples dug at different dates 

 were not marked. There was a rather gradual gain in protein as the season advanced. 

 The proportion of ash in the marketable tubers remained quite constant throughout 

 the season, but in the small tubers there was a greater tendency to vary. Crude 

 fiber, although present in small amounts, was very variable. The average phosphoric 

 acid content was 0.06 per cent greater in the small than in the large tubers. The 

 yields increased considerably as maturity advanced, showing that the ripening of the 

 tubers affects the yield much more than the composition. In 1899 it was found 

 that in general the percentage of dry matter and nitrogen-free extract decreased, 

 while that of the protein, ash, and crude fiber increased as the tubers approached 

 maturity. These results were in accordance with those of 1898. 



New varieties of potatoes, E. Schribaux {Jour. Agr. Prat., 1901, I, No. 16, pj}. 

 496-500). — This article describes a number of varieties of potatoes and classifies 

 them as potatoes for the table and for feeding and industrial purposes. 



Variety tests with potatoes at Calvorde, conducted by the German Potato 

 Experiment Station, Vihkans {liraunHclureig Lundw. Ztg., 69 {1901), No. 14, pp- 

 63-65). — A report with tabulated results on tests made in 1900. 



Variety tests of potatoes in Hungary, J. Gvarfas {Fi'Ming's JMudw. Ztg., 

 50 { 1901) , Nos. 5, pp. 187-191 ; 7, pp. 247-253 ) . —A report on a cooperative test, making 

 a special comparison of the variety Professor Maercker with a number of others. 

 In a number of cases Professor Maercker gave the best results and the variety ranked 

 well in every instance. 



Exposing seed potatoes to light and air before planting {Deut. Jandw. 

 I'resse, 28 {1901), No. 22, p. 185). — A brief note showing why the practice is to be 

 recommended and giving directions for exposing tubers to obtain the best results. 



Sainfoin as a meadow plant {Semaine Agr., 21 {1901), No. 1038, pp. 110). 



