FIELD CROPS. 231 



of sugar beets in the pots. The tabulated results of the harvests, showing green 

 weights, sugar content, and potash content, were such as to induce the author to 

 conclude that sodium can not physiologically replace potassium in cultivated 

 plants, particularly the sugar beet, but that its pi'esence has an indirect influence 

 such as to allow the plants to utilize more readily increased quantities of 

 potassium. 



The future of sugar cane and the sugar industry in Mexico, L. Foueton 

 {El Porvenlr de la Cana de Azucar y de la Industria Azucarera en Mexico. 

 Mexico, 1914, PP- 31). — ^This booklet reviews the sugar industry of Mexico since 

 1898, and discusses the manufacture of sugar and alcohol, briefly touching upon 

 the production of sugar cane. 



Sweet clover, V. M. Shoesmith {Michigan Sta. Circ. 23 {1914), pp. 151-156, 

 figs. Jf). — This circular describes cultural methods and uses of sweet clover for 

 Michigan conditions. 



Experiment in the selection of seeds, C. Griffin {Univ. Nac. La Plata, 

 FacHlt. Agron. y Yet., 1913, pp. 63-70, pi. 1). — This article gives results in 

 seed selection of wheat that show increased yields amounting to 435.25 kg. per 

 hectare. The selection was based upon the size, weight, specific gravity, and 

 purity of the seed. 



Thirteen years of wheat selection, T. B. Htjtcheson {Amer. Nat., 48 {1914), 

 No. 572. pp. 459-466, figs. 3). — In this article the author gives results of pure 

 line selections of six varieties of wheat that show no permanent change in 

 point of yield, height of plant, and length of upper internode, in 13 years of 

 breeding at the Minnesota Station. 



The physiological selection of Tuscany wheat, F. Rampazzo {Atti R. Accad. 

 Econ. Agr. Gcorg. Firenze, 5. ser., 10 {1913), No. 3, pp. 253-272).— This paper 

 discusses the value and importance of improvement in wheat in general, and 

 gives some results of selection which show that there is a correlation between 

 productiveness and the disposition of the spikelets on the rachis, and that a 

 short, thick spike corresponds to increased productiveness. 



Varieties of wheat in Semiretchinsk, K. Flaksberger {Trudy Biitro Prlkl. 

 Bot. {Bui. Ang&w. B'ot.), 3 {1910), No. 3, pp. 62-165, figs. i2).— This discusses 

 wheat found in northern Turkestan by the author, and describes 24 varieties. 



Further observations on wheat, K. Flaksberger {Trudy Bvuro Prlkl. Bot. 

 {Bui. Angeiv. Bot.), 7 {1914), A'o. 8. pp. 493-502, pi. 1, fig. i ) .—Differences dis- 

 covered in the formation of the glumes of the spring wheat {Triticum vnilgare 

 alhidum. iuflatum) are described which Indicate certain forms to be of the 

 winter wheats. (See above.) 



Bulk handling of wheat, compiled by H. V. Jackson {Dept. Agr. N. 8. 

 Wales, Farmers' Buls. 13 {1908), pp. 67, figs. 23; 13, 2. ed. {1912), pp. 71, figs. 

 16; 85 {1914), PP- 15). — ^These bulletins give in detail methods of handling 

 bulk wheat at elevators, silos, and public warehouses, and the grades used, in 

 the Unitetl States, Canada, and Great Eritain. 



Iowa seed analyses, 1910-1913, L. H. Pammel and Charlotte M. King 

 {Iowa Sta. Bui. 146 {1914), pp. 41S-440).—Thifi bulletin gives the results of 

 purity and germination tests of seed for the years 1910-191 .''>. including some 

 germination studies of clover, alfalfa, and timothy. It is noted that under the 

 state seed law seed conditions have become much better, and the presence of 

 dodder, Canada thistle, and the like is much less frequent than formerly. 



In 1910, 286 samples of commercial seed were examined and in 1913, 1,058. 

 In 1913 the general average of purity is noted as having been high except in the 

 case of sweet clover, which had an average of only 74.2 per cent pure for 35 

 samples. A total of 4G5 tests of red clover samples showed 96.72 per cent 

 purity. A total of 168 tests of timothy samples showed 07.75 per cent purity. 



