432 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOED. 



bu., 3S.1 to 41.6 bu., 47.7 to 49S bu., 36.3 to 3S.S bu., 32 to 41 bu., 34.8 to 

 89.6 bu., and 30.6 bu. 



In breeding for early and late maturity it is noted that " except in the length 

 of the growing period and in the grade of the grain, no striking difference in the 

 average performance of the two selections is shown. A difference of 4.4 days in 

 the length of the growing period for the average of all stocks for the eight years 

 was obtained, while the grade of the grain of the late selections averaged 8.4 

 per cent better than that of the early selections." 



The results from a comparison of improvement by selection and by crossing 

 " show that the average yield per plant of the five crossbred stocks is 0.2 gm. 

 better than that of the five pure lines, while the strength and stiffness of the 

 latter are higher by 5 per cent and 5.6 per cent, respectively. The grade, how- 

 ever, is 4 per cent better for the crosses, which were also slightly earlier in ma- 

 turing. These diffex-ences do not seem to be sufficient to warrant a definite con- 

 clusion as to maturity, strength, stiffness, and grade. In yield, the difference, 

 though small, must be given attention. The difference of 0.2 gm. is an average 

 for the individual plant. Assuming that 490,040 plants to the acre are grown 

 under nursery conditions (4 by 4 in. apart), the increased yield on this basis 

 would be 171.6 lbs. or 3.56 bu. to the acre. Under field conditions more plants 

 are grown to the acre, thus reducing the difference of 0.2 gm. per plant, but it 

 is safe to assume that the reduction of difference in yield per plant would be 

 practically compensated for by the increased number of plants. Therefore, from 

 the nursery results it is evident that crossing, even though three years more are 

 required, will prove the better method for ultimate improvement. This does not, 

 however, preclude the value of the pure-line method of breeding, which is un- 

 disputed." 



Field beans, C. A. Zavitz {Ontario Dept. Agr. Bui. 232 {1915), pp. 15, fig^i. 

 IJf). — This bulletin considers the statistical status of bean culture in Canada 

 and gives results of variety tests of the small white pea bean, navy bean, and 

 marrowfat bean. Average yields for the past 20 years are given as 17.8, 19.2, 

 and 17.4 bu. per acre, respectively. Cooking qualities, improvement of varie- 

 ties, anthracnose, and cultural methods are also discussed. 



The effect of fertilizers and stimulants upon the growth and production 

 of Corchorus capsularis, S. F. Albano {PJiilippine Agr. and Forester, 3 {1915), 

 No. 9-10, pp. 218-226). — ^This records results of applications of barnyard 

 manure, kainit, tankage, and potassium sulphate, singly and in varying combi- 

 nations, on C capsularis (Chinese hemp). 



It is shown that " the application of any kind of manure to Corchorus pro- 

 duces a pronounced beneficial effect on the growth of the i^lant and on the 

 yield of fiber as well. The best result was obtained by the application of a 

 mixture containing nitrogen. Cow dung alone at the rate of 8,000 kg. per 

 hectare [7,120 lbs. per acre] produced as good an effect as kainit at the rate of 

 2,000 kg. per hectare (taking the average for both sets). The best result was 

 obtained when the plants were set at 20 by 20 cm. [8 by 8 in.] apart; 20 by 

 40 cm. and 10 by 10 cm. did not give as good a result." 



Borax, manganese, mercury, iron, calcium, nickel, zinc, fluorin, and iodin 

 were tried as growth stimulants with varying success on plats of 1 meter square. 



" The geueral conclusion to be drawn from these stimulation experiments is 

 that jute is decidedly less subject to stimulation with various chemicals than 

 are some of the other crops with which experiments have been carried on, most 

 notably, for instance, potatoes and radishes. The only chemicals whose use 

 can be recommended as very likely to be profitable as a result of these tests are 

 iron and very dilute nickel. It x-emains possible that applications of borax, 

 manganese, and zinc more dilute than any which were tested in this experiment 



