1917] FIELD CROPS. 237 



first two crops. Seeley Seedling gave the best results, considering the quality of 

 the juices and the weight of the cane produced. Twenty varieties of recently 

 introduced caue were tested for the first time during 1914-15, and the test 

 continued in 1915-16. Among these varieties the most promising were B 1809, 

 B 7245, B 6292, B 3859, B 3405, and B 3747, all giving higher yields than Crys- 

 talina or Otaheite, the check varieties. 



Thirteen leguminous cover crops were tested in 1914—15, and the results are 

 presented in tabular form with regard to germination of the seed, habit of 

 growth, length of growing season, amount of seed produced, and resistance to 

 insect and disease pests. 



The average yield of cane from all unfertilized plats in 1914-15 was 8.17 tons 

 per acre as compared with an average yield of 22.46 tons for the plats receiving 

 a complete fertilizer. The highest yield, 26.6 tons, was secured from the plat 

 receiving 120 lbs. phosphoric acid, 60 lbs. nitrogen, and 60 lbs. potash. These 

 results are in agreement with those obtained in the two previous years, and in 

 general were confirmed in 1915-16, when the highest yield, 20.75 tons, was 

 obtained from a double application of a complete fertilizer. All the fertilizer 

 experiments indicated the need of abundant phosphoric acid applications on 

 these soils,, while potash and nitrogen fertilization is evidently of secondary 

 importance. 



Further fertilizer experiments were conducted in 1915-16 in cooperation with 

 local growers on sandy clay and clay soils. The results are reported in tabular 

 form. All combinations of fertilizers gave good returns for the money invested. 



An application of 4 tons of lime per acre made in 1912 was followed by 

 increased yields of cane of 4.98, 14.78, and 12.1 tons for 1913, 1914, and 1915, 

 respectively. 



A comparison of cultivation by hoes and by cultivator was made in 1915-16. 

 Plats receiving four hoeings gave an acre yield of 27.02 tons, at a labor cost of 

 $10.41, while plats receiving five cultivations gave a yield of 25.03 tons, at a 

 labor cost of $8.41. 



A demonstration of the value of crop rotation in practical cane culture, 

 A. H. RosENFELD (SugaT IChicago], 18 {1916), No. 9, pp. 463, 464). — This is a 

 popular discussion of crop rotation experiments with sugar cane conducted by 

 the author while the director of the experimental work in TucumSn, Argentina. 

 Continuous cropping with sugar cane is compared with cane following one year 

 of cowpeas, corn, and alfalfa, respectively. 



Remarkable increases in yield are reported. In a 8-year period, the highest 

 gains were made after alfalfa, although the gains after corn were twice the 

 average for the Province. The plats planted to cane after alfalfa showed an 

 dverage annual gain of 3.5 tons per acre, the cane being superior in average 

 Btalk weight and slightly richer in juice than that following corn. 



Some sugar cane experiments in Travancore, N. K. Pillai (Agr. Jour. India, 

 tl {1916), No. 1, pp. 79-81). — In experiments with sugar cane conducted during 

 the 1914-15 season, the ridge and furrow system of planting seemed superior 

 to planting in pits, the common practice in Travancore. Thin planting (5,000 

 sets per acre) was better than thick planting (10,000 sets or more). The appli- 

 cation of a complete fertilizer was more profitable than that of ashes alone, as 

 is the usual practice. 



Washington wheats. — Their classification and identification, E. D. Alvokd 

 {Wash. Agr., 9 {1916), No. 8, pp. 217-219, figs. 2).— A popular classification of 

 20 of the more common varieties of Washington wheats, based upon (1) head 

 characteristics, and (2) kernel characteristics, each classification being com- 

 plete in itself. 



