FIELD CROPS. . 731 



Curing alfalfa hay by steam (Milling inul drain Ncio.s, JO {11)10), No. 13, 

 p. 19). — This article, quoted from the Kansas (.'Ity Post of August 26, states 

 that 11. C. Shuey, a student of industrial chemistry at the University of Kan- 

 sas, has perfected a metliod whereby a ton of alfalfa can be kiln-cured in about 

 au hour. It then analyzes from 30 to 18 per cent protein and 1 per cent water 

 and when mixed with water exhibits "the same qualities of taste and digesti- 

 bility as when gathered uij behind the sickle." 



Fall sowing of barley in 1908-9, N. Litwinow {Trudui Byuro Prill. Hot., 

 3 {1910), Ao. 2, PI). ll-.'iO). — This article states the results of fall sowing of 

 barley with special reference to the snow covering, freezing and thawing, and 

 temperature changes. A table gives a full statement of tbe meteorological con- 

 ditions prevailing during the period of the experiment. 



Report on barley tests in Franconia, 1907-1909, L. Hiltner and F. Lang 

 {Prakt. Bl. Pflaiizciibaii u. .Schutz. n. ser., ,S {nnO),No. 6, pp. 67-76 ) .—These 

 pages report the results of tests of G varieties of barley on a number of different 

 farms located at various points. Tables show the yields obtained, weight per 

 hectoliter, milling qualities, and weight per thousand kernels. 



Some analyses of Russian brewing" barley for protein content, K. V. Ben- 

 ING {Zhur. Opiritn. Agron. {Russ. Jour. E.rpt. Laiidw.), It {1910), No. 3, pp. 

 355-362). — Considering barleys containing more than 11 per cent protein un- 

 suitable for brewing purposes, the author found that 40.3 per cent of the samples 

 from Bessarabia and 43 per cent of those of Nijni Novgorod and Wjatka were 

 fit for brewing but only 0.1 per cent of those from the south central districts. 



Variety tests of forage corn in different provinces, F. G. Stebler and A. 

 VOLKAKT {Landw. Jahrh. Schweis, 24 {1910), No. 3, pp. 155-171, figs. J/).— The 

 results of variety tests of American, Hungarian, African, Servian, and other 

 varieties of corn at different points in Switzerland are reported. 



Testing seed corn by the cloth roll method, W. McArthur {Iowa Agr., 10 

 {1910), No. 6, pp. 226-228, figs. 2). — The method outlined consists in soaking 

 strips of closely woven muslin 8 in. wide by 4 ft. long, spreading tbem on a 

 board or table, arranging 6 kernels from each of 40 ears to be tested in rows on 

 the surface of the cloth and rolling the cloth without disarranging the order 

 of the kernels. They are then kept moist by sawdust or otherwise until ger- 

 mination is complete. 



Potato culture in Holland {Dept. Landb., Nijv. en Handel, Verslag. en Mcded. 

 Dir. Landb. [Netherlands], 1910, No. 3, pp. XXX+183, pis. 7, map i).— Tbis re- 

 port is a manual of information with regard to the potato industry in Holland. 

 The three parts take up tbe production of late varieties, production of early 

 varieties, and the potato meal industry, in each of the provinces. 



Fertilizers for potatoes, W. P. Brooks {Massachusetts Sta. Circ. 26, pp. 

 //).— A revision of Circular 14, previously noted (E. S. R., 19, p. 1138). 



Negress potato, A. and P. Andouard {Bui. Sta. Agron. Loire-Inf., 1908-9, pp. 

 62, 63). — Other names which the authors give for this potato are Madagascar 

 potato and Cettewayo potato. It is characterized by its low starch content and 

 extreme richness in minerals and proteid material. The small tubers, which 

 are especially notable in these respects, contain 2.(>0 per cent proteid material, 

 0.03 per cent lime. 1.01 per cent potassium. 0.23 per cent phosphoric acid and 

 0.31 per cent of other mineral matter, while the water and starch contents are 

 70.24 and 2.26 per cent, respectively. 



Rye growing in Minnesota, A. Boss {Minnesota Sta. Bui. 120, pp. 3-8, 

 fjgg^ 2), — This bulletin jtresents statistical data on rye culture, gives directions 

 for the production of rye, and reports the results of variety tests. Among 8 

 varieties tested during the jieriod lOOO-IOlO, Swedish and Dean produced the 

 highest averages of 38.48 and 37.92 bu. per acre, respectively. 



