1919] FIELD CROPS. 35 



[Jerusalem artichoke in France), Sc-HBT&AUX (Compt. Raul. Acad. \<ir. 

 France, 3 (1917), No. 1,0, pp. 1119-1131; Vie Agr. et h'l/mlc, 8 (1918), No. 7, pp. 

 116-118, fig. 1). — Jerusalem artichoke la recommended as an excellent plant for 

 use on fields overrun by weeds after three years of neglect due to a scarcity "f 

 hand labor and to Insufficient tillage during the war. The advantages and dis- 

 advantages of the crop are briefly discussed and its uses Indicated. Tabulated 

 data are presented showing the relative yields of this crop and of potatoes to 

 have been 17.4 tons and 7.9 tons per hectare (2.47 acres), respectively, in 1914. 



The Jerusalem artichoke as a war plant, L. O. Howard [Science, n. set.. .',7 

 (1918). No. 1214. p. 31,1,). — This is a brief review of the article noted above. 



Nettle as a textile, De Lapparent (Compt. Rend. Acad. Agr. France, 3 

 (1917). Xo. 1,1, pp. 1161-1163). — The author presents a brief note concerning the 

 use of fiber from nettle as a substitute for flax and cotton. 



Relation of size of sample to kernel-percentage determinations in oats, 

 R. J. Gamier and A. C. Arny (Jour. Amer. Hoc. Agron., 10 (191S), No. 3, pp. 13',- 

 1)2). — This paper, a contribution from the Minnesota Experiment Station, 

 presents data collected in studies of the relation of size of sample to accuracy 

 in kernel-percentage determinations, in an effort to minimize the labor and ex- 

 pense attendant upon hulling oats by hand. Thirteen varieties, grown on Uni- 

 versity Farm in H>17, and representing wide differences in size and shape of 

 grain, in percentage of kernel, and in other characteristics, wen- employed iu the 

 Investigation. A range from 62.16 to 76.7 in percentage of kernel was obtained, 

 which was deemed greater than that found for any one variety over a period of 

 years, and consequently obviated the necessity of using the crop from more than 

 one year. 



Composite samples of a pound or more were made for each variety by taking 

 portions from various places within the bags of bulk oats. Each sample was 

 thoroughly mixed and poured into a conical pile, and the samples used in the 

 determinations taken from one side of the piles. No selection was made beyond 

 the rejection of broken or diseased kernels. Twenty 50-kernel samples of each 

 variety were selected, and the frequency distributions of kernel percentages 

 of the 13 varieties as shown by the determinations indicated. From these 

 data tables were prepared for each variety showing the variability of kernel per- 

 centage for samples of from 50 to 500 kernels, based upon replications of the 

 50-kernel samples. The coefficients of variability for the samples and the dif- 

 ferent replications for each variety studied, together with the statistical con- 

 stants of these coefficients, are also indicated. All data are tabulated and fully 

 discussed. 



It is concluded that for ordinary purposes a 200-grain sample of oats taken 

 as described gives sufficiently accurate determinations of kernel percentage. The 

 weight of this size of sample varied from 3 gm. in early to 5 gm. in midseason 

 and late varieties. When more than ordinary accuracy is demanded, the sample 

 should be increased to at least 300 grains, and with some varieties even larger 

 samples are deemed desirable. 



A preliminary study of the bleaching of oats with sulphur dioxid, G. H. 

 Raston (V. 8. Dipt. Agr. Bui. 725 (1918), pp. 11, figs. 3).— This bulletin reports 

 the results of laboratory tests made in connection with investigations begun in 

 1915 in a study of the commercial methods most commonly employed in bleach- 

 ing oats, the results obtained by these methods, and the effects of bleaching upon 

 the grain itself. Samples of oats were obtained from representative sections in 

 which the commercial bleaching of the crop is practiced to a considerable extent, 

 and an examination of the grain was made before and after treatment. Data 

 showing the sulphur reaction, percentage of germination, moisture content. 



