FIELD CROPS. 889 



FerHrzer experiments on oats, R. P. Whigtit {Rpt. Exptn. Manur- 

 ing, 181)3, Glasgoic and West Scotland Tech. Col. Glasgow: 1894, pp, 

 53-57). — f Jominercial fertilizers were in most cases used with profit on 

 tlie oat crop in the favorable season of 1803. Nitrate of soda applied 

 alone was profitable as a top dressing on soils already in good condi- 

 tion, but on poor land the results were variable. When superphosphate 

 was added to the nitrate of soda the result was more certain and profit- 

 able. A complete fertilizer was advantageously used on the oat crop 

 following sod, but potash was not profitable when the preceding crop 

 had been roots liberally lertilized with barnyard manure. Nitrate of 

 soda was somewliat more effective than sulphate of ammonia, espe- 

 cially in the production of straw. 



Peanuts, R. L. Bennett and G. B. Irby {ArTcansas 8ta. Bui. 31, 

 pp. 1'J-'13). — Two varieties grown at the station and at the two substa- 

 tions averaged 73 bu. per acre of selected nuts. The Spanish variety 

 contained in every 100 lbs. of unshelled nuts 79 lbs. of kernels; the 

 Virginia variety only 01 lbs. The Si)anish is preferred as a food for 

 hogs. Directions for the cultivation of peanuts are given. 



Potatoes, a simple test of quality, E. S. Goff {Rural New 

 Yorker, 1805, Apr. 6', p. 2il). — When potatoes are placed for a few 

 minntes in brine the lightest or those of poorest quality and most 

 deficient in starch rise to the top. By this method it is an easy matter 

 with the aid of a hydrometer to determine the amount of starch and 

 hence the quality of the potatoes. 



The author planted the light, the medium, and the heavy potatoes 

 as indicated by the brine test for 2 years in succession, and uidike 

 European investigators, noted no improvement in the quality of the 

 crops as a result of this selection. He found that tubers growing 

 nearest the surface were of lowest specific gravity or poorest quality, 

 and that the specific gravity increased with the depth at which the 

 potato grew. This he ascribes to the cooler temperature found at 

 greater dejitlis. He also found that potatoes grown in level culture, 

 with the consequent lower temperature within the soil, had a greater 

 specific gravity than those grown in hills. 



Giant knotweed or sachaline, F. Lamson-Scribner ( TJ. S. JDept. 

 Agr., Division of Botany Circular 5, pp. 4, figs. 3). — This circular treats 

 of the general characters and history of sachaline {Polygonum sachor 

 linense), its probable value as a forage plant and as a protection for 

 river banks, and methods of propagating it. The general cultivation 

 of this plant is not recommended. 



Fertilizer experiments on turnips, R. P. Wright {Rpt. Expts. 

 Manuring, 1893, Glasgoio and West of Scotland Tech. Col. Glasgoiv: 

 1894, pp. 11, 12, 35-52). — This experiment was conducted on 16 farms. 

 Large and profitable crops of turnips were grown by the use of mix- 

 tures of commercial fertilizers without any farm manures. Phosphoric 

 acid was the most effective fertilizing constituent apx)lied. In the 



