1917] FIELD CROPS. 137 



leaves, but the lobes were not mere tears, as was evident from the fact that the 

 margins of the lobes, like those of all normal leaves, Avere beset with long 

 brittle hairs and a double row of short saw-like teeth directed toward the apex 

 of the leaf. That this abnormality was not a local phenomenon was revealed 

 by observations made by Blaringhem in France and Gernert in Illinois. 



The cause of lobing was not fully understood until dissecting some very 

 small lateral branches of EuchL-enii, it was noticed that several shoots were 

 prevented from unfurling by having the margins of one of the leaf blades 

 firmly held together with lobes. By examining smaller shoots the stage was 

 finally reached where the lobes were just being formed. It was at once evident 

 that the lobes were formed by the margins of the leaf blades cutting each other 

 where they crossed in unfurling. 



" The forcing of the inside margin of the leaf against the outside margin 

 results in the inside margin being cut, but at the same time the outside margin 

 also receives a slight cut through which the lobe on the inside margin grows. 

 As this lobe grows it cuts up into the outside margin, which accounts for the 

 small back cut sometimes found on one margin of the more perfect specimens." 



The slight rupture of the tissue, which is extremely tender, results in the 

 separated cells developing independently of the remainder of the leaf blade. 

 " The fact that the two margins of the same leaf mutually rupture each other 

 accounts for the lobes being most often found in pairs one on each side of the 

 leaf." 



Report on corn pollination, IV, M. L. Fisher {Proc. Ind. Acad. Sci., 1914, 

 pp. 207, 208). — This is the fourth and last report on some studies of cross pol- 

 linating corn (E. S. R., 30, p. 635), and deals with a cross of sweet (male) and 

 Reid Yellow Dent (female). 



" In the third year two types of sweet corn were distinguishable, one a large 

 ear with whitish kernels and white cobs like the original Stowell Evergreen, 

 and the other a smaller ear with yellowish kernels and red cobs." The quality 

 of the corn when cooked was excellent, the yellow-kernel, red-cob type being 

 slightly sweeter and also earlier maturing 



In the season of 1913 three plantings were made, two of the white-kernel, 

 white-cob type in local gardens and the third of both types in the trial gardens 

 of a commercial seedsman at Detroit, Mich. The Detroit tests were reported on 

 as follows: 



" The salient features of our reports are to the effect that neither of your 

 selections seem as yet well enough fixed in type to be ready for presentation. 

 Both show a large percentage of reversion to plain parent stock. They are both 

 late and half of the ears in our trial were irregularly and poorly filled. Quality 

 seems excellent, but the color of the red cob shows badly in cooking. From a 

 seedsman's standpoint we do not believe the strains to be as yet of any value." 



Sufficient seed is still on hand for further trials and it is hoped that a suc- 

 cessful and fixed variety may yet be established. 



Delbridge cotton seed calculator, C. L. Delbkidge (St. Louis: The Delbridge 

 Co., 1916, pp. 129). — This is a table for calculating the value of any amount of 

 cotton seed within the limits of $30.25 and $60 per ton. 



Methi as a fodder crop in the Nasik District, M. G. Athalye {Poona Agr. 

 Col. Mag., 7 {1916) No. J,, pp. 226, 227).— Brief notes are given on the produc- 

 tion of methi as a green fodder crop in India. This crop is fi-equently used to 

 prepare ground for sugar cane or onions, and is usually grown under well 

 irrigation. 



Disadvantage of continuous oat culture on a highly nitrogenous moor soil, 

 H. VON Feilitzen (Svenskn Mosskulturfor. Tidskr., 30 {1916), No. 3, pp. 269- 

 273, fig. 1). — The results of experiments here described indicated that on good 



