632 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol 40 



A large proportion of their progeny grown in 1914 proved to be heterozygous, 

 giving Mendelian ratios for various characters, and these characters were in 

 turn studied in succeeding generations. In addition a few definite crosses were 

 made between pure strains. 



Observations on the amount of natural cross-fertilization in a number of 

 varieties showed a range of from 0.1 per cent for Dodda Biru Bhatta to 2.9 

 per cent for Sadai Samba, attributed to variations in the time of dehiscence of 

 the anthers. The characters studied Included size of outer glumes; golden color 

 of inner glumes and internode; dark furrows of inner glumes; piebald pattern 

 of golden coloring and dark furrows of inner glumes; purple pigmentation; 

 dark purple coloring of pulvinus and auricle ; full purple self-color of leaf sheath ; 

 purple lining of internode, purple glumes, purple stigma, and purple axil ; 

 ripening black character of inner glumes; and red color in rice. Tabular state- 

 ments aro presented showing the frequencies and ratios of the different char- 

 acters, and the data are fully discussed. 



Xenia in Oryza sativa, Y. Yamagiciii (Bot. Mag. [Tokyo], 82 (1918), Xo. 

 .(77, pp. 83-90). — This forms a preliminary report on some observations made 

 with grain from the Fj progeny of a cross between common rice and so-called 

 "Klebreis." By means of certain mlerochemical reactions, the heterozygous 

 and homozygous kernels were readily recognized in an apparently homogeneous 

 lot of seed. 



An inhibitor in rice, N. B. Menuiola {Philippine Agr., 7 (1918), No. 8. p. 

 65). — The author suggests that the failure of the so-called pink a kernel, ob- 

 tained from a white variety of rice and described by Jacobson (B. S. K., 32, 

 p. 230), to produce red kernels in the Fi generation may have been due either 

 to the effect of environment or to the presence of an " inhibitor " in the original 

 kernel. 



Burma rice, A. McKkrkax. (Trans. 8. Intcrnat. Cong. Trop. Agr. 19U, vol. 2, 

 pp. 93-102). — This paper deals with the methods of cultivation and the nature 

 of the rice crop grown in Burma. 



The origin and early habitat of rye, A. Scarry (Ber. Deut. Bot. Orscll, 86 

 (1918), No. 1, pp. 39-^7). — Evidence obtained from various sources is held to 

 Indicate that rye originated from SecaU ariatoUcwn, that it was under cultiva- 

 tion in Turkestan when the bronze period prevailed throughout Europe, and 

 that it was introduced into Europe during the transition between the bronze 

 and Iron ages. German ryes are supposed to have been obtained from the Slavs 

 during the last century before Christ and to have spread throughout Germany 

 from the eastern shore of the Baltic. 



Oil yields of different strains of Sesamum (lifiga) as affected by the season 

 of the year and the method of culture, C. 0. Samonte (Philippine Agr. ami 

 Forester, 6 (1918). No. 10, pp. 292-299).— This reports the results of observa- 

 tions made during 1917 on the effect of cultural methods and seasonal condi- 

 tions upon the oil content of different strains of Sesamum. 



The date of harvesting the different varieties was found to vary from 78 to 

 140 days from tin- time of planting. The crop Is said to be essentially a dry 

 season crop, the earliest maturing strains giving the highest yields of oil. 

 Spacing the plants 50 by 30 cm. (about 20 by 12 In.) is recommended f..r the 

 larger strains. 



Field tests of soy beans, P. Layosa y Makalin-oono (Philippine Agr. and 

 Forester, 6 (1918), No. 10, pp. 276-291). — The author describes the continuation 

 during 1917 and 191S of work with soy beans, begun by G. F. Grageda. in an 

 effort to multiply desirable strains selected by the latter, to determine their 

 commercial value, and to ascertain those sorts best suited for the rainy and 

 for the dry seasons, respectively. 



