1919] FIELD CROPS. 535 



Russian wheats, K. A. Fliaksherger (Mat. Izuch. Estest. Proizvod. Sil Rossii, 

 11 {1917), pp. 62). --Tabulated statistics derived largely from Russian sources 

 ore presented and discussed, showing the nitrogen content of Russian wheats, 

 the yields, the variety distribution in the different Provinces, and the flour, 

 bread, and other wheat products produced by Provinces. Similar data for 

 other countries are also presented. 



A bibliography dealing with the subject and comprising 212 titles is ap- 

 pended. 



Treatment of seed wheat with formalin, H. Garman and O. L. Hathaway 

 {Kentucky Sta. (ire. 22 (1918), pp. 21-27, fly*. 2).— Both germination and field 

 tests with wheat treated In different ways with formalin for the prevention of 

 stinking smut are briefly described. 



The average germination of all untreated seed was 95 per cent and of all 

 treated lots 88.6 per cent. The number of heads harvested was generally less 

 in treated than in untreated lots, the average yield of sound heads from 

 treated seed amounting to 257 as compared with 274 from the untreated seed. 

 The percentage of infected heads, however, ranged from to 3.1 per cent for 

 treated seed, and from 11 to 35 per cent for untreated seed. Sprinkled seeds 

 gave somewhat better results than dipped seeds, the average yield of heads 

 being 335 and 223, respectively. Sprinkled seed also averaged 0.75 infected 

 head per lot as compared with one infected head per lot for the dipped seed. 



On the basis of the results obtained, it is recommended that for the pre- 

 vention of stinking smut seed wheat be sprinkled with a solution of 0.5 pt. of 

 formalin in 30 gal. of water, left in a heap for 2 hours, then spread out to 

 dry before planting. 



Agricultural seed inspected In 1917, C. P. Smith (Maryland Sta. Bui. 220 

 (1918), pp. 13-63).— This reports the results of purity and germination tests of 

 more than 1,375 official samples of seeds collected during 1917. 



Seed Reporter (U. S. Dept. Agr., Seed Rptr., 2 (1919), Nos. 8, pp. 8, figs. 5; 

 9, pp. 8, figs. 5). — The principal feature of the first of these two numbers is the 

 final red clov.er, alsike clover, sweet clover, alfalfa, and timothy seed shippers' 

 report, together with maps of the United States showing the counties reported 

 as normally producing either a surplus, a sufficient, or an insufficient quantity of 

 these seeds as compared with their planting requirements. 



Tabulated statistics are also presented dealing with the retail catalogue 

 prices of vegetable seeds for 1917, 1918, and 1919; a partial report of field 

 seed stocks and receipts for the United States for January 1, 1919 ; wholesale 

 field seed selling prices about January 27, 1919; stocks, shipments, prices, etc., 

 of soy beau* and cowpeas; a preliminary report of the shippers' stocks, ship- 

 ments, prices, etc., of millet and sorghum seed ; estimated red clover seed 

 consumption in the United States, and the seed stocks and receipts January 1, 

 1919; and a brief note on the seed-potato situation. 



The second number contains tabulated statistics on vegetables and field seed 

 stocks and receipts for the United States as of January 1, 1919, together with 

 tentative seed production and consumption maps intended to show in a graphic 

 form the most important areas of production and consumption in a normal year 

 of Golden (formerly German) and common millet seed, and Amber and Orange 

 sorgo seed. A final tabulated report is also given from shippers' reports as to 

 soy beans, cowpeas, velvet beans, millet, and sorghums as of January 15, 1919. 



Information relative to wholesale and retail field seed selling prices, Febru- 

 ary 20, 1919 ; a preliminary report on the acreage of commercial vegetable seed ; 

 and summarized data as to seed stocks, etc., in Canada and Great Britain are 

 also noted. 



