634 EXPERIMENT STATION RECOED. 



" In sweet potatoes kept in cold storage (4° C.) there is a rapid disappearance 

 of the starch and an accompanying increase in cane sugar. These changes do 

 not attain a state of equilibrium at that temperature, as the sweet potatoes 

 invariably rot by the action of fungi before the changes have reached their 

 maximum. At both high and low temperatures cane sugar is the chief product 

 formed by llie conversion of starch in the sweet potato. The quantity of invert 

 sugar in the root at any time is comparatively small." 



A bibliography of cited literature is api^ended. 



On the spike form of wheat, L. Dctzicl ( Filh ling's Landw. Ztg., 63 {1914), 



No. 17, pp. 561-572). — This article discusses the different forms of spikes of 



wheats, the arrangements of the spikelets, and the factors which cause the 



different forms. Statistical data of different type forms are given and the 



X 100 

 application of the formula D = — + 1 in which D represents the thickness, 



y 



X the number of spaces between the spikelets on one side of the spike, and y 

 the length of the si)ike axis is explained. 



Is the present system of grading wheat equitable? E. F. Ladd (North Da- 

 l:otu ^ta. Spec. Bid., .3 {1915), No. 1.',, pp. 233-239) .—Thin article criticizes the 

 present market grades of wheat and presents data, compiled as joint cooperative 

 work of the station and tliis Deijartment, to show that millers, on the basis of 

 their net returns for flour and by-products, could pay more for the lower grades 

 and thus return a large sum to the growers. 



Boot atlas, B. Schulze {Wurzelatlas. Berlin: P-aul Parey, 1911, vol. 1, pp. 

 86, pis. 36; 1914, vol. 2, pp. 42, pis. 29). — Volume 1 contains 36 plates from 

 photographs, showing the root systems at different stages of growth of winter 

 and spring rye, winter and spring wheat, oats, and barley, and volume 2 con- 

 tains 29 coi'responding plates for peas, horse beans, white lupine, red clover, and 

 winter rape. Each volume also contains statistics showing the length and 

 weiglits of roots, length and weights of tops, and ratios between I'oots and tops 

 for the individual plants, and a text discussing the work. See also a previous 

 note (E. S. R., 31, p. 733). 



The longevity of some common seeds, A. Eastham {Agr. Gaz. Canada, 1 

 (1914), No. 7, pp. 544-546)- — This paper gives results of gemiination tests of 

 seeds of timothy, red clover, and alsike clover, that had been stored 10 years, 

 aud of oats that had been stored 13 years. 



For timothy it is noted that " the average germination of the 25 samples 

 1 year after harvest was 95 per cent; 5 years after, the average was 90 per 

 cent; after that, however, a steady loss of vitality was shown, although at the 

 end of 10 years an average germination of 54 per cent was still shown. It is 

 interesting to note that, contrary to general opinion, the timothy seed retained 

 its vitality somewhat better than either red clover or alsike." 



For red clover " the average germination of 24 samples 1 year after harvest 

 was 97 per cent, while 10 years after, only 44 per cent was capable of 

 germination." 



For alsike clover " the average germination of 24 samples 1 year after harvest 

 was 93 per cent, and 10 years after. 45 per cent, or a loss of 48 per cent during 

 that period." 



For oats "the average of the 180 samples when first tested in 1903 was 95 

 per cent, while the average of 156 samples (the supply of seed in 24 samples 

 having become exhausted) when 10 years old was still 95 per cent. Further- 

 more, the average germination of .53 samples 13 years old was 91 per cent, 

 an average loss of only 4 per cent during that period, a very slight loss when we 

 remember that in ordinary germination work a variation of 5 per cent is allow- 

 able between tests on identical lots of seed." 



