138 EXPERIMENT STATION RECOED. [Vol.37 



moor soil with sufficient nitrogen oats grown in rotation will give mucli higher 

 yields than when grown continuously, provided any lacking plant food is sup- 

 plied. Under continuous culture it was found tliat the land could not be kept 

 free from weeds, which hindered the development of the crop. It is recom- 

 mended that land in a very weedy condition should be kept in bare fallow for 

 a year before crop culture is attempted. 



Arachis liypogaea, G. C. Dudgeon (Min. Agr. Egypt, Agr. Prod. No. 2a (1916), 

 pp. 24, pl- 1)- — This is a detailed discussion of the production and uses of the 

 peanut in Egj-pt. A botanical description of the more common varieties is 

 given, together with a comprehensive review of the history of the crop. Prep- 

 aration of the seed bed, cultivation, and harvesting are discussed in turn for 

 both upper and lower Egypt. 



Statistics are given on the yield of nuts and fodder. 



Potato fertilizers, T. C. Johnson (Virginia Truck Sta. Bui. 21 (1916), pp. 

 429-452, figs. 4)- — ^Truck crop potato fertilizer experiments conducted at the 

 Virginia Truck Station and the Tasley (Accomac County) substation are re- 

 ported. The plan of the experiments Included the application of commercial 

 fertilizers at the rate of 1,600 lbs. per acre, containing varying proportions 

 of nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash. To determine the relative effects of 

 the fertilizer on early, mldseason, and late production one-third of each plat 

 at Norfolk was harvested June 14, shortly after the blossoms had fallen, the 

 second third June 22, and the last third July 3, at which time the vines were 

 practically mature. The first harvest at Tasley was June 27-28, the second 

 July 7, and the third July 17. Tabulate^l data show the yields of each plat 

 for each harvest, together with the percentage Increase or decrease. 



The largest acre yields were obtained with a mixture containing the equiv- 

 alent of 5 per cent of ammonia, 6 per cent of phosphoric acid, and 5 per cent 

 of potash at both Norfolk (first and second harvests) and Tasley. A mix- 

 ture equivalent to 9 per cent of ammonia. 6 per cent of phosphoric acid, and 5 

 per cent of potash resulted in the highest yield for tlie third harvest at Norfolk. 

 Excellent results at both Norfolk and Tasley, based on percentage Increase, 

 were obtained with" a 7:8:5 mixture. 



The tests indicate that where the soil has received heavy applications of 

 organic matter a fertilizer containing an equivalent of 5 per cent of ammonia 

 should be satisfactory, but that a soil deficient in organic matter would give 

 better results with one containing 7 per cent. At least 8 per cent of phos- 

 phoric acid should be used, better results being .secured with this amount in 

 all cases than with smaller quantities. Mixtures containing 3 and 5 per cent 

 potash showed very satisfactory results, while those containing 7 and 10 per 

 cent were not satisfactory at the first and second harvests, the excess of potash 

 evidently delaying maturity. 



The effect of removing the tops on the bearing of potatoes, O. Schlum- 

 BEKGER (Mitt. K. Biol. AuM. Land u. Forstic. No. 15 (1914), PP- U-IS). — In case 

 of potatoes planted April l."") and deprived of their tops at different dates, it 

 was found that the number of tubers produced was slightly lowered by removal 

 of the tops July 21, and much more by their removal June 20. The total 

 weight of the tubers was considerably reduced in both cases, particularly the 

 latter. 



[Potato varieties] (Agr. Oas. Canada, S (1916), Ifo. 4, p. 372).— Potato 

 varieties found to be best adapted at each of 11 experimental centers in Canada 

 are listed. Prominent among the early varieties are Early Ohio, Early Rose, 

 and Irish Cobbler, and among the medium or late varieties, Carman No. 1 and 

 Green Mountain. 



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