526 EXPERIMEKT STATION RECORD. 



which endure great and rapid changes of concentration in the saline solntions, 

 the author shows that several of these present remarkable illustrations of 

 adaptability and plasticity. Changes in temperature exercise no very evident 

 influence on the behavior of the brine organisms, but changes in concentration 

 of the brine are reflected in the behavior of the brine algse, also in marked 

 effects as regards cell permanence or cell division. 



The red color of concentrated brines in the salterns and of the salt piled for 

 drainage is due to a ehromogenic bacillus, inoculation with which turns salt 

 codfish red. 



The osmotic, adsorptive, and other relations noted are considered to justify 

 further study on account of their more general bearings. 



FIELD CROPS. 



Root systems of agricultural plants, J. G. Maschhaxipt (Verslag. Land- 

 t'Omclc. OnderzoeJc. RijJcslandJjouwproefstat. [Netherlands}, No. 16 (1915), pp. 

 76-89, pis. 5). — This describes a method of removing a shaft of soil of sufficient 

 breadth and depth to include the root systems of the plants under investigation. 

 After cutting away the soil from one side of the proi3osed shaft, a board studded 

 with needles of sufficient length to penetrate the shaft's breadth (25 cm.), in 

 order to secure the roots in approximately their original positions, is pressed or 

 driven in a vertical position against the shaft, which the needles penetrate. 

 The shaft is then cut loose on the opposite side by driving down a piece of sheet 

 iron to the desired depth, and the soil is carefully washed away from the roots. 



The influence of phosphatic fertilizers on root development, R. D. Watt 

 (Rpt. Austral. Assoc. Adv. ,Sc(., 14 (1913), pp. 661-665, fig. i).— This paper 

 records data taken from water-culture, pot-culture, and field experiments that 

 show an increased root development of barley and wheat apparently due to 

 the application of phosphatic fertilizers. The depths to which roots of wheat 

 penetrated on unmanured plats ranged from 13 to 37 in. and on fertilized plats 

 from 27 to 38 in. 



The geographical distribution of the field crops of India, T. H. Engel- 

 BRECHT (Ahhandl. Hamburg. Eolon. Inst. 19 (1914), Ser. E, pp. IX-\-271; 

 Atlas, jyls. 23). — Part 1 of this article treats of the distribution of about 70 of 

 the field crops of India. Part 2 consists of maps showing the distribution of 

 the principal field crops. 



[Studies with field crops in Montana] (Montana Sta. Rpt. 1914, PP- 391- 

 393, 397, 398). — ^Among other work of the year, it is mentioned that mangels, 

 Gehu and Dakota white flint corn, and Pilot navy beans were grown with suc- 

 cess, but that'sorghum, Kafir corn, cowi>eas, soy beans, and grasses were unsatis- 

 factory. Seeds of alfalfa and several clovers treated with sulphuric acid before 

 planting gave lower yields of hay than check plats. Contradictory results are 

 reported regarding thinning and spacing potatoes, while mulching did not give 

 so good results as cultivation. Favorable results are reported in improving 

 potatoes by hill selection. 



Grasses and forage crops (Mass. Bd. Agr. Bui. 3 (1915), 2 ed., rev., pp. 126, 

 pis. 5, figs. 3). — This is a revised second edition of the bulletin already noted 

 (E. S. R., 23, p. 530) with additional papers on Green Crops for Summer Soiling, 

 by J. B. Lindsey (E. S. R., 23, p. 580) ; How to Supplement a Short Hay Crop, 

 by C. S. Phelps; New England Pastures, by J. S. Cotton; and Alfalfa for New 

 England, by A. D. Cromwell. 



Experiments on permanent grass land, 1915 (Agr. Students'' Gaz., n. ser., 

 17 (1915), No. 4, PP- 162-165). — This article notes results of manurial experi- 

 ments at Cirencester, England, that have been in progress over 20 years. 



