1919] FIELD CROPS. 827 



Some observations on the relation of lint length to rainfall, EL B. KMLBU I 

 {West Indian Bui., n (1918), No. 2, pp. 79-82, fig. 2).— Observations made dur- 

 ing the season of 1917-18 showed a reduction in the length of lint from selected 

 plants of different strains of Sea Island cotton, grown ;i t I. a Guerlte, St. Kltts, 

 of from 1.8 to 8.2 nun. as compared with the lint obtained during 191G. The 

 rainfall from May to December, 1916, was 56 in., and for the same period In 

 1917 only 31 in., indicating a possible correlation between the moisture supply 

 and the length of lint. 



Tabulated data are presented showing the dally rainfall of the fust "_'i days 

 of the history of bolls opening on 10 different dates In 1917. Bolls opening 

 between September 9 and 13 had only 2.5 in. of rain during their critical period 

 of development, while those opening between October 9 and 18 had 6.98 In. 

 The respective lint lengths were 49 and 57 mm. It is concluded, therefore, that 

 In this region the length of lint is dependent upon the moisture supply of the 

 plant at the critical period of boll development. Furthermore, it Is deemed 

 essential that considerable care be exercised in making comparisons of the 

 length of lint produced by cotton grown in different seasons or in different 

 localities, the rainfall of which are in no way comparable. 



Flax: Its cultivation and preparation for market, H. R. Caktek {London: 

 John Bale, Sons and Danielsson, Ltd., 1918, pp. VI 1 1 +84, pis. 2, figs. 8). — De- 

 tailed directions are given for growing and harvesting the crop and for prepar- 

 ing the fiber for market, with special reference to conditions prevailing in Great 

 Britain. 



Flax culture, its development, decline, and restoration, H. J. Danmki.t 

 (A". Landtbr. Mead. Handl. och Tidskr., 57 (1918), No. 7-S, pp. 472-1,81).— This 

 article discusses flax culture from a historical and statistical standpoint, and 

 emphasizes the quality of fiber produced in different countries, including 

 Sweden. A table is given showing the area devoted to flax and the yields of 

 seed and fiber in the different provinces of Sweden for the years 1S70. 1900, 

 and 1915. The data presented point out a very marked decline of the Swedish 

 flax industry during this period. 



Flax preparation and its prospects [in Sweden], H. Hknnio (A". Landtbr. 

 Akad. Handl. och Tidskr., 57 (1918), No. 7-8, pp. 482-500, figs. 21).— This article 

 represents an illustrated lecture on methods of retting, drying, breaking, and 

 scutching flax. The organization, on April 20, 1916, of a Swedish association 

 for the handling and preparation of flax for fiber is briefly noted. 



[Flax production in Ireland] {Ann. Rpt. Flax Supply Assoc. Ireland. 50 

 (1917), pp. 59). — Tabulated statistics are presented showing the acreage and 

 yield of fiber flax in Ireland in 1917, together with information relative to the 

 textile Industry throughout the world. 



The varieties of Helianthus tuberosus, T. D. A. CocKKiuir.r. (Amer. Nat., 53 

 (1919), No. 625, pp. 188-192, figs. 2). — H. tuberosus varieties ti/picus. nehrascen- 

 sis. alexandri, purpui-ellus, fusifonnus, albus, and purpureas are briefly de- 

 scribed, all but the first having been grown by the author at Boulder. Oolo. 



The occurrence of dwarfness in oats, C. W. Warburton (Jour. Amcr. Sor. 

 Agron., 11 (1919), No. 2, pp. 72-76, pi. 1).— In this paper, a contribution from 

 the Bureau of Plant Industry of the U. S. Department of Agriculture, the 

 author notes the appearance of a dwarf type In a head row of Victory oats 

 grown on irrigated land at the Aberdeen (Idaho) substation in 101 (V The 

 dwarf plants are described as "dense tufts of basal leaves with occasional 

 culms not over 9 in. in height, bearing very small panicles. At the time the^o 

 plants were found, early August, the normal plants were nearlng maturity, 

 while the upper portions of the panicles on the dwarf plants were just cunerg- 



