102 



inches and the subsoils at a depth of eighteen inches, and underlying, 

 stilT, plastic clay from a depth of about 3 feet Avere analyzed. The 

 composition of •' air-dried soils," "^ ignited soils," and of the portion 

 soluble in nuu'iatic acid are stated from analyses and estimates l)ased 

 upon them. Eesults are briefly given without description of analyt- 

 ical methods. The transi^prt of material by roots from subsoil to sur- 

 face soil is discussed and its importance dwelt upon. The author is 

 inclined to believe " that superior tillage with the chemical ami phys- 

 ical processes i^iduced hy it in the soil is the key to the situation and 

 one remedy for existing distress in agricultural pursuits." 



The cause of the black color of the moist soil in that section is dis- 

 cussed, and its possible connection with the oxidization and deoxidi- 

 zation of compounds of iron is suggested. Under the head of phys- 

 ical properties of the soil, the porosity, and water-holding, water- 

 lifting, and absorptive powers are treated. 



Clhaatic coiulitioiis (pp. 14, 15, 35—1:4:). — The temperature of the air 

 and of the soil at 3 and 6 inches, and 1, 2, and 3 feet below the surface 

 were recorded daily from May 5 to Se})tember 5, and the results 

 embodied in a numl>er of diagrams. 



Field trials (pp. l()-34). — An account of experiments with corn in 

 1888 on a field of about 20 acres. The methods used in ])rei)aring the 

 soil and planting and cultivating the crop are described, and a dia- 

 gram of the experimental field is given. The details of the experi- 

 ment are set forth in fourteen tables, showing yield of husked and 

 shelled corn, the weight per measured bushel of shelled corn, weight 

 of one ear, grain and cob, percentage of cob, number of kernels on one 

 ear, the measurement of leaves of one corn plant July (total leaf 

 surface, including one side of sheath, was 3,480.()(> square inches, or 

 over 24 square, feet) . and the daily growth of five corn plants in inches 

 from June 23 to July 2('), inclusive. 



BULLETIN No. (!. 



Experiments on seed cermination, pea-weevil, and apples, J. W. 

 Clark, B. S. (pp. 3-10). 



(rcnaiiudioii tests. — These included tests of the seeds of a consider- 

 able number of different kinds of vegetables, grasses, and clovers 

 ]jurchased from dealers. The average number of seeds germinating 

 in each 100 tested w^as about 65. 



Pca-'ireeril [Bruchas pisi). — xV statement of a method of destroying 

 this insect by soaking the peas in water before planting. 



Apple texts. — Notes on the keeping qualities of twenty-one varieties 

 of apples. 



Report of committee on Missouri Agricultural College col- 

 lection or APPLES (exhibited at the annual meeting of the Missouri 

 State Horticultural Society at Nevada, Mo.) (pp. 9, 10). — The com- 

 mittee commended the College for its exhi])it of apples and for its 

 experiments with new varieties of this fruit. 



