732 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



intermediate expression of cbiiraoters and are degenerative in nature. Tliey are 

 not to be considered an examples of normal heredity or of the evolution of new 

 characters. The aI)normalities of brachytic variations are analogous to those 

 found among hybrids and are likewise accompanied by tendencies to sterility or 

 abortion of buds. 



" Bi-achysni i.s to be associated with other forms of intermediate expression 

 of characters, representing a general class of metaphanic variations. A more 

 definite recognition of this class of variations is desirable in connection with the 

 investigation of general problems of heredity and evolution. 



"The agrcnltural value of brachytic varieties of cotton is impaired by the 

 tendency to abnormal variations and sterility and also by the fact that the clus- 

 ter cottons are more severely affected by unfavorable conditions. Hence, 

 brachysm is to be avoided in the breeding of superior varieties of cotton." 



Crimson clover: Seed production, J. M. Westgate (U. ^. Dept. Agr., Farmers^ 

 liiil. (>'/(! {I'.il.j'). pp. /.J, flgs. IS). — This describes methods of harvesting the 

 seed of crimson clover and also describes devices for gathering the seeds, known 

 as comb strii)pers and rotary brush strip])ers. 



lirlof notes are given on the commercial growing of crimson clover seed and 

 how to grow a good crop of seed, and the money values of a seed and hay crop 

 are compared. The weeds to be avoided in a crimson clover field are mentioned 

 and illustrated. Because of the uncertainties of the foreign supply of seed, it is 

 suggested the individual farmer may readily arrange to save his own seed for 

 re.seeding, although the commercial production of seed in this country is handi- 

 capped by frequent untimely rains. 



Local fertilizer experiments with corn in south Alabama in 1911, 1912, 

 1913, and 1914, .T. F. Duggar and J. T. Williamson i Ahilxuiid Col. t^in. HiiJ. 

 181 (191-'t), pp. 15S-1S2). — The chief object of these local fertilizer experiments 

 is given as to ascertain tlie best combination of fertilizers for corn production 

 on each of the principal soils of the southern half of Alabama. 



" From these experiments, most of which were conducted on poor land in dry 

 seasons, it appears that under these conditions reliance should not be placeil 

 chiefly on commercial fertilizers in growing corn. Commercial fertilizers h;ive 

 proved, much more effective and profitable for cotton than for corn. On nearly 

 all experiments nitrogen, whether employed as cotton-seed meal or as nitrate of 

 soda, afforded a fair increase in the yield of corn. In 60 per cent of these 

 separate experiments the increase from applying 200 lbs. of cotton-seed meal 

 alone per acre was sutiicient to afford a profit, even under these unfavorable con- 

 ditions of soil and climate. Acid phosphate used alone, and in various combina- 

 tions, usually afforded a small increase in the yield of corn, but this increase 

 was usually not sufficient imder these unfavorable conditions to afford a profit. 

 For corn, kainit was even less effective and more generally unfavorable than 

 was acid phosphate. 



" When 200 lbs. of cotton-seed meal, api>lied before planting, was compared 

 wi|^ 1(X) lbs. of nitrate of soda, applied when corn plants were several feet high, 

 nitrate of soda afforded a larger increase. Nitrate of soda afforded, on the 

 average, and in most experiments, a profitable increase in yield. In the.se ex- 

 periments commercial fertilizers usually increased the yield to at least as large 

 an extent on land capable of producing 25 to 30 bu. of corn without fertilizer as 

 on poorer land ; this suggests that it was the supply of moisture in the richer 

 soils, rather than the fertilizers, which determined yield in these unfavorable 

 seasons. This argues for the plowing under of organic matter in connection 

 with the use of only moderate amounts of commercial fertilizers for corn. 



