FIELD CROPS. 209 



iiitrogen-free extract. This constituent was low in the years when tlie 

 fat content was high. Stable manure and nitrogenous fertilizers 

 increased the percentage of fat. 



A luxuriant growth of straw, whether caused by weather or by 

 manuring, was accompanied by a low percentage of nitrogen in the 

 grain. Manuring with non-nitrogenous minerals also reduced the per- 

 centjige of nitrogen. Rye grown on the unmanured plat was rich in 

 this element. 



Generally, the proportion of the total nitrogeu existing as albu- 

 minoids rose or fell with the rise or fall of the ash, being greatest when 

 only non-nitrogenous fertilizers were used and least when only nitroge- 

 nous minerals were applied. When the grain was light the proportion 

 of crude protein existing in an indigestible form was high. A complete 

 fertilizer tended to increase the i)roportion of the total nitrogen which 

 was digestible. 



Experiments in the culture of the sugar beet in Nebraska, H. H. 

 NiCHOLSOX and E. E. Xicholson {Xebra.ska Sta. Bui. 06, pp. 185-206, 

 pi. 1, dgms. 3). — Analyses of beets at different stages of growth; descrip- 

 tions of the methods of culture, of growing improved seed, and of select- 

 ing mother beets; fertilizer experiments; distance experiments; a test 

 of the effect on germination of soaking beet seed in different solutions; 

 a comparison of the quality and quantity of the product resulting from 

 large and small seeds and from ligiit and heavy seeds; changes in the 

 composition of the beet during growth; the propagation of beets from 

 buds; and statistics concerning the beet-sugar industry in Nebraska. 

 The fertilizer experiment gave unsatisfactory results. Eows 18 in. 

 apart gave a larger yield and of slightly better quality than rows 15 

 and 21 in. apart. The germination experiment was vitiated by inop- 

 portune rains. Large seed gave a heavier yield and higher sugar 

 content than small seed, and heavy seed, i. e., seed which sank in kero- 

 sene oil, gave a larger sugar content and higher purity than light seed. 

 The crown of the beet was found to bear to the entire root the ratio of 

 1:4. The difference in sugar content between the crown and body was 

 only 1.75 per cent in 1892 and 1 per cent in 1893 in favor of the body, 

 results which indicate the possibib'ty of profitably using both the 

 crowns and bodies of beets for sugar, especially in a dry season. 



Tobacco experiments in 1891, 1892, and 1893, H. J. Patterson 

 {Maryland Sta. Bui. 20, pp. 57-9 i).— A test of varieties of tobacco, of 

 different bains for curing, cooperative fertilizer experiments, and a 

 study of the effect of fertilizers on the composition and on the burn- 

 ing qualities of tobacco. 



Twenty-nine varieties were grown, the yields of which are not given. 

 " None of the improved or imported varieties have given any greater 

 yields or proved to be as well adapted to Maryland ... as have the 

 varieties commonly grown in the State." 



