842 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Alinit can not be confirmed. Chemical analyses of the solutions and soils which 

 had produced plants subsequent to inoculation with Alinit did not reveal an increased 

 nitrogen fixation or assimilation. 



The effect of secondary growth on the chemical composition of chicory- 

 roots, E. Carpi.\ux {Bui. Inst. Chim. ct Bad. GcmUoax, 1901, Xo. 70, pp. 17-91).— 

 Chicory roots were studied 2 years in succession to determine the effect of secondary 

 growth on the chemical composition of their reserve material. The results of analyses 

 are shown in tables. The figures obtained show that 20.6 per cent of the inulin of 

 the root was used in the production of the second growth. It is stated that levulose 

 resulting from the saci-harifieation of the inulin is formed in the roots in sufficient 

 quantity for the requirements of the plant before growth begins. The quantity of 

 potash used in the growth of the sprouts was greater than of any other mineral ele- 

 ment. This fact is considered as evidence that potash is a transporting agent of the 

 carbohydrates in the plant organism. 



The albuminoid and nonalbuminoid nitrogenous substances in the root dimin- 

 ished appreciably during the growth of the sprouts. It is further stated that the 

 nitrogenous matters do not undergo an appreciable modification during the growth 

 of the sprouts and that they are transported from the root to the young growth 

 without any transformation of the amid bodies into albumin. The new growth was 

 found to have drawn only slightly on the reserve of phosphoric acid. The lime con- 

 tent of the root increased to an apjireciable extent during the activity of the growing 

 portion, and this is explained as due to the lime taken up from the soil by the root 

 for the purpose of neutralizing the organic acids formed during the hydrolysis of the 

 inulin. 



Corn culture, R. J. Redding {Georgia Sta. Bui. 65, pp. 97-llS). — This work is a 

 continuation of previously reported experiments (E. S. R., 13, p. 39). Meteorolog- 

 ical data for the years 1890 to 1901 are tabulated. Among 17 varieties of corn tested 

 in 1901, Marlboro, Cocke Prolific, Sanders Improved, Gedding Improved, Brad- 

 berry Improved, and Tennessee Yellow, given in the order of their productiveness, 

 yielded from 20.69 to 27.38 bu. of shelled corn per acre. All other varieties yielded 

 less than 20 bu. per acre, Shaw Improved ranking last with a yield of 14.32 bu. 

 The average yield for all varieties was 19.73 bu. 



It was observed that the varieties producing the largest ears were not necessarily 

 the most productive. In this test Marlboro, Cocke Prolific, and Sanders were the 

 earliest varieties. In a special test of 4 early varieties, Hickory King gave the high- 

 est yield, followed by Weekley Improved, Blount Prolific, and Golden Dent in the 

 order given. The yields for these varieties ranged from 22.74 to 30.46 bu. of shelled 

 corn per acre, with an average of 27.49 bu. Hickory King required the smallest 

 weight of ear corn, 63.8 lbs. to shell a l)ushel. The difference in the yields obtained 

 in the 2 tests is considered as possibly due to the closer planting of the 4 early vari- 

 eties. A comparison of several methods of harvesting showed that the greatest 

 value of total product was obtained on the plats where the leaves were harvested 

 August 8, and the stalks cut when dry and shredded. The differences in the yield 

 of shelled corn for the various series of plats was in all cases less than 1 bu. 



Applying 672 lbs. of fertilizer per acre broadcast produced only 2.95 bu. more 

 than half this quantity applied in the drill. This increase was produced at a cost of 

 $1.08 per bu. From the results of this and previous tests, the author infers that 

 heavy applications should be applied broadcast in view of probable droughts, and 

 applications of less than 300 or 400 lbs. should be made in the drills. 



As in previous years, nitrate of soda, cotton-seed meal, and dried blood were com- 

 pared as sources of nitrogen. The results this season were in favor of nitrate of soda, 

 but the differences in the yields were inconsideral)le. Even in the general average 

 for 4 seasons the dried-blood plats yielded only 0.15 bu. more than tlie nitrate jilats, 

 and these only 0.91 bu. more than the cotton-seed meal plats. "For all practical 



