136 EXPEEIMENT STATION EECOED. 



Flax experiments, 1912 (Dcpt. Ayr. and Tech. Insir. Ireland Jour., 14 (WlJf), 

 No. 3, pp. 5 15-53 Jf). — The reports of manurial tests at several centers showed 

 muriate of potiish alone to be unproductive. Combined applications of muriate 

 of potash and sulphate of ammonia gave profitable returns, but when steamed 

 bone flour was added to the potash and ammonia the yields were decreased below 

 the checli plats. The addition of 1 ton of burnt lime per acre to the primary 

 crop (oats) proved beneficial to flax. "Apart from its value to other crops, 

 the results of these preliminary trials indicate that the liming of land one 

 year in advance is of considerable benefit to the flax crop. They also show 

 that for flax muriate of potash forms a valuable supplemental dressing to 

 lime." 



The use of sweet jowar (Sorghum sp.) as a source of commercial sugar or 

 as a fodder and the variation in composition of the crop during- growth, H. E. 

 Annett (Agr. Research Inst. Pum Bui. Jfl {191Jf), pp. 9+VI, j)ls. 2).— This 

 records analyses of sweet sorghums grown at several places in India that show 

 they can not be profitably grown for sugar purpose. As a source of fodder, 

 however, these sorghums were shown to be useful. Yields of 13 tons of green 

 produce were obtained per acre. Data " show that after the seed is in the 

 thin milk stage no increase in total weight of the crop takes place, and also 

 the amount of total sugar in the crop has almost reached its maximum. 

 Hence the crop, when being cut for fodder, should not be allowed to get beyond 

 this stage." 



Potato growing in the San Joaquin and Sacramento deltas of California, 

 W. V. Shear (California Sta. Circ. 120 (1914), pp. 11, figs. 7).— This circular 

 describes the conditions of potato production in these areas, mentions Rhizoc- 

 tonia, Fiisarium oxysporum, Verticillium alho-atrum, scab, tuber moth, nematode 

 gall worm, as directly responsible for the decrease yields, and makes general 

 recommendations for the improvement of the industry, notably longer rotations 

 and the use of disease-free seed potatoes. 



Rape for hog- pasturage, C. B. Williams (North Carolina Sta. Circ. 20 

 (IDl.'f), pp. 3). — This circular discusses the possibilities of the crop and gives 

 advice regarding soil and its preparation, seeding, and precautions in grazing. 



Report of experimental work of the rice stations in 1913 in the Province 

 of Valencia, Spain, E. G. Montesoro (Mem. Estac. Arrocera Sueca (Valencia), 

 1913, pp. VI+4Jf, pis. 8). — This outlines the first year's work, and gives some 

 results of A-ariety tests and cultural and fertilizer experiments with rice at 

 three stations. 



Sugar beet experiments (Dept. Agr. and Tech. Instr. Ireland Jour., 14 

 (1914), No. 3, pp. 471-482, pis. 2).— The results of cultural experiments with 

 sugar beets in Ireland are given as follows: 



" With proper care and management, crops of sugar beets comparing favor- 

 ably in yield with continental crops can be grown in Ireland. For example, in 

 spite of somewhat adverse weather conditions, in 1912 and 1913, an average 

 yield of over 10 tons (factory weight) per statute acre was obtained from the 

 molded-up drill plats. The sugar content of the roots was also satisfactory: 

 the average in 1911 was IS. 5 per cent. In 1912 and 1913, the average was 18.2 

 and 14.6 per cent, respectively, 



" Of the three methods of cultivation, the system of growing the crop on 

 molded-up drills was the best, 



"Top-dressings of nitrate of soda to beets manured with (a) a moderate 

 dressing of farmyard manure and a complete mixture of artificials (including 

 sulphate of ammonia), or (b) a rather heavier dressing of the same mixture of 

 artificials without dung, were not generally remunerative. 



