826 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOED. [Vol. 37 



Seedlngs of rahar {Cajanus indicus) in July gave higher yields than seed- 

 ings in either May or June. Variety tests with rahar, wheat, and rice are 

 reported. 



[Report of field crops work at Sepaya Experiment Farm, 1915-16], M. M. 

 Mackenzie {Rpt. Dept. Agr. Bihar and Orissa, 1015-16, pp. 76-79, 82-87). — 

 Experimental work with sugar cane, forage CTops, and fertilizers is briefly 

 outlined. Results of analyses of sugar-cane varieties grown at Sepaya are 

 reported in tabular form. 



Fodder crops of Western India, H. H. Mann (Dept. Agr. Bombay Bui. 77 

 (1916), pp. 142). — This is a compilation of available information relative to 

 the cultivated fodder crops of Western India, showing the adaptation of each, 

 method of cultivation, yield, and value of the fodder produced. The area under 

 cultivated fodder crops in the Bombay Presidency is estimated to be about 

 124,920 acres. 



Some wild fodder plants of the Bombay Presidency, W. Bukns, R. K. 

 Bhide, L. B. Kulkakni, and N. M. Hanmante (Dtpt. Agr. Bombay Bui. 78 

 (1916'), pp. 24, pis. S4). — This bulletin is a compilation of available information 

 relative to some of the wild grasses and leguminous plants used as forage in 

 the Bombay Presidency, giving their vernacular names, habitat, life history, 

 chemical composition, and feeding value. Thirty-four such plants are described 

 and illustrated. 



How to change the rotation system, G. Sotgia (Agr. Terra Lavoro, 6 (1917), 

 No. 1, pp. 2-8). — The author describes in detail and illustrates with diagrams 

 changing from a biennial rotation to a quadrennial rotation, based on Trifoliuni 

 prateme, or to a septennial or octennial rotation, ba.sed on Medicago sativa. A 

 method is also described for changing from a quadrennial system to au octen- 

 nial one. 



Experiments in meadow culture on peat bogs, V. A. Fominykh (Selak. 

 Khoz. i LQsov., 251 (1916), June, pp. 145-160). — This reports experiments in 

 1914 and 1915 in an effort to convert peat bogs into meadows. The different 

 treatments resulted in the increased yields noted below : Harrowing alone, 

 56.8 per cent; harrowing combined with fertilizing, 300 per cent; seeding to 

 grass after harrowing and fertilizing, 350 per cent — also procuring a change 

 in the flora of the bog; plowing, fertilizing, and seeding to grass, 600 to 900 per 

 cent. 



Permanent pasture formation, A. W. Green (Jour. Agr. [New Zeal.], 14 

 (1917), No. 1, pp. 28-Sl). — This reports pasture-formation experiments in prog- 

 ress at Ruakura, New Zealand, to determine (1) the influence of temporary 

 fillers on the permanent grasses and clovers which will ultimately constitute 

 the permanent pasture, (2) the value of temporary fillers in reducing the weed 

 content in permanent pastures, and (3) the comparative value of different 

 fillers for early feed. The fillers included in the experiment were prairie grass. 

 cape barley, Italian rye-grass, broad-leaved Essex rape, and thousand-headed 

 kale. 



The results to date indicate that rape is the most valuable plant of those 

 tested, due to its habit of growth and resistance to cold. Sheep turned into 

 pasture on the unfenced plats at first preferred the rye-grass, but socm left it 

 for barley and rape. The kale plat was left until last. The highest total live- 

 weight gain, 379 lbs., was obtained from a seeding of 2 lbs. of rape per acre, 

 at the minimum cost for all fillers of 40 cts. The least gain in live weight, 

 175 lbs., was realized from a seeding of 25 lbs. of barley per acre, at a cost 

 of 7S ci&. 



