FIELD CROPS. 431 



weight of air-dried substance, the percentage of protein, and the total protein 

 content for the product of the various clippings, which were made at from 7 

 to 30 day intervals. 



The results of the experiment, which covers several years, show that " the 

 total yield of dry matter varies inversely with the number of times it is cut 

 during the growing season. The percentage of protein in grass decreases as the 

 grass matures. The decrease in percentage of protein when the grass is allowed 

 to mature is sufficient to more than counterbalance the increase in weight of 

 dry matter. The increase in weight of mature grass over frequent clippings 

 must be fiber and other nitrogen-free substance. 



" The cost of haymalving would probably offset the gain in carbohydrates in 

 the case of blue grass, so that land utilized as a permanent pasture should be 

 more profitable than it would be as a permanent meadow. It may be of intei'est 

 to state that the botanical character of the herbage varied greatly with the 

 frequency of the cutting. On the plats that were frequently clipped blue grass, 

 redtop, and white clover jn'edominated, while on those that were cut less fre- 

 quently, esi^ecially on the one that was cut but once a year, these tame grasses 

 gave way to rank-growing w.eeds, such as wild carrot, paspalums, yarrow, white- 

 top, etc. This undoubtedly has much to do with the amounts of protein 

 produced." 



Laying down land to grass on the Clifton Park system, J. Hunter (Chester, 

 England: James Hunter, Ltd., 1915, pp. 32, pi. 1, fig. 1). — This publication 

 brings together short articles and an address by the author, calculated to 

 show the great value of the Elliot system of farming, previously noted from 

 other sources (E. S. R., 13, p. 1037; 26, p. 734). 



Universal hay calculator, Mollie D. Chesnut (Torrington, Wyo.: Author, 

 1915, pp. 12] -{-20). — This shows the tonnage for any given width and over- 

 throw for oblong stacks 100 ft. in length, based on United States Government 

 rule. 



Experiments with, small grains, J. R. Ricks (Mississippi 8ta. Bui. 171 

 (1915), pp. 12). — This gives results of variety tests with oats and wheat, and 

 notes on the treatment for rusts, smuts, and weevils in stored grain. In tests 

 of methods of seeding oats, drilling on a well prepared seed bed was sui^erior 

 to plowing or disking the seed in. Twelve pk. of oats sovm per acre gave larger 

 yields than 6, 8, or 10 pk. Suggestions for the production of oats and wheat 

 in Mississippi are given. 



Barley investigations, C. P. Bull (Minnesota 8ta. Bui. IJfS (1915), pp. 7-^7, 

 figs. 12). — This bulletin discusses barley production in Minnesota, classes of 

 barley grown in the State, methods of planting and harvesting, managing vari- 

 ety tests of barley, methods of improvement of barley, management of the nur- 

 sery, and methods of cross-fertilization, and gives data showing results of vari- 

 ety tests with about 400 varieties and strains of barley secured from nearly all 

 parts of the world. These include commercial strains, pedigreed strains, and hy- 

 brids, under the following classes: Commercial 6-rowed bearded barleys; com- 

 mercial 2-rowed bearded barleys; pedigreed strains of 6-rowed bearded barleys, 

 each of which has been developed from a single plant of a promising variety ; 

 pedigreed strains of 2-rowed bearded barley developed from a single plant; 

 hybrid 6-rowed bearded barleys developed from hybridization, followed by selec- 

 tion from individual plants; hybrid 2-rowed bearded barleys developed from 

 hybridization and selection ; and miscellaneous commercial stock. The grain- 

 breeding investigations were in cooperation with the Bureau of Plant Industry 

 of this Department. The range of yields per acre per year for periods of from 

 1 to 12 years is given for the respective classes as follows: From 4S.3 to 51.1 



