140 EXPERIMENT STATION RECOED. [Vol.37 



that the purity of adsali cane, if standing, is higher than 90 per cent, and if 

 lodged, from 80 to 85 per cent. Although the cane deteriorates in hot weather, 

 a regular increase in the purity of the juice takes place as the monsoon sets in, 

 especially in the lower and middle portions of the cane. 



Japanese sugar cane as a forage crop, A. H. Leidigh, G. T. McNess, and 

 H. H. Laude {Texas Sta. Bui. 195 (1916), pp. 3-28, figs. 7).— The adaptation 

 of Japanese sugar cane to the Gulf coast region of Texas and its produciion and 

 use as a forage crop are discussed. 



Observations of the crop under adverse weather conditions indicate that it 

 possesses remarliable yielding qualities under such conditions ; that it can grow- 

 on damp, undrained soils and resist floods better than any of the crops commonly 

 grown in that region ; and that it is decidedly resistant to frost. As a forage 

 crop it is reported as producing a succulent feed at less cost in that region 

 than sorghum or corn silage and comparing favorably with these crops in the 

 feeding value of its green fodder. Comparative analyses indicate that the cane 

 is lower in protein content than green .sorghum or sorghum hay, Johnson grass, 

 or Sudan grass hay, but its high sugar content, cheapness, and succulence make 

 it valuable as the basis of a ration balanced by the use of cottonseed meal, 

 peanut hay, or some other nitrogenous feed. 



Depth-of-plowing and rate-of-seeding tests indicate that the highest yields 

 are obtained from plowing to a depth of from 12 to 14 in., and that thick plant- 

 ings (3,000 to 4,000 lbs. of seed canes per acre) are preferable. Although the 

 yield of forage probably decreases considerably after the first season, with 

 proper care the crop may be grown several years without replanting. 



Sweet clover, F. M. Lutts (J/o. Bui. Ohio Sta., 2 {1917), Xo. 2, pp. 4o-4T< 

 fig. 1 ) . — Tliis briefly notes a test with sweet clover, at the Paulding County 

 experiment farm, in comparison with red clover and mammoth clover as a crop 

 to follow oats and be plowed under in the fall for the succeeding corn crop. 

 The superior root development of sweet clover, c.<5pecially in time of drought, is 

 emphasized. 



The flowering habits of timothy, M. W. Evans {Jour. Anicr. Soc. Agron., 

 8 (1916), No. 5, pp. 299-309, pi. 1). — This paper gives the results of observations 

 on the flowering habits of timothy, made during the blooming period in 1912, 

 1913, 1914, and 1915, at the Timothy-Breeding Station, New London, Ohio, which 

 is conducted cooperatively by the United States Department of Agriculture and 

 the Ohio Experiment Station. Special attention was given to the time of 

 blooming, length of the blooming period, how and at what time of day the 

 flowers open, the conditions under which they open most readily, the color of 

 various parts of the flower and the general color efi'ect of meadows, and other 

 phases of the blooming process. The observations may be briefly summarized 

 as follows : 



When timothy blooms the anthers emerge first and then the stigmas. Anthers 

 do not dehisce until the stigmas of the same flower have been exposed for some 

 time. The flowers on the upper portion of the spike bloom first, with those 

 lower down coming into bloom on succeeding days. The flowers on a single 

 spike may bloom from 6 to 16 days. The period of bloom in northern Ohio 

 extends from June IG or 20 to July 12 or 15, although the bulk of the blooming 

 is from June 24 or 26 to July 3 or 5. The greatest number of flowers bloom 

 from midnight until sunrise. 



The number of flowers that bloom each day, as well as the time of blooming, 

 are affected by climatic conditions, especially temperature. Clear weather an<l 

 a minimum temperature of 60° F. are most favorable. Timothy was not ob- 

 served blooming when the temperature during the preceding 24 hours was as 



