340 EXPERIMENT STATION BECORD. [Vol. 37 



The native varieties gave the best results, the leaves produced under shade 

 being classified as almost " ideal " in quality for wrapper purposes. The burn- 

 ing qualities of Cagayan, Sumatra, and Tirona Hybrid were improved when 

 shaded, while the other varieties showed no response to shading. The length 

 of the leaves and height of the plants was considerably increased by shading, 

 but the weight of the unshaded leaves was the greater. 



General recommendations are made for tobacco culture in the Philippines. 

 Tobacco. — The production of light-colored pipe and cigarette leaf, C. J. 

 Tkegenna (Dept. Agr. N. S. Wales, Farmers' Bui. 106 (1915), pp. 7.^).— This is 

 a general discussion of the production of tobacco in New South Wales. 



Wheat, N. Schmitz (Maryland Sta. Bui. 198 (1916), pp. 59-94, fiff»- 11)-— 

 The field practices employed in the production of wheat in Maryland are dis- 

 cussed at some length, and variety tests conducted in cooperation with the 

 U. S. Department of Agriculture, extending over the period of 19(»8 to 1916, 

 inclusive, are reportetl. The tabulated data show the annual and average 

 yields per acre of grain and straw for the 24 varieties remaining in the test 

 through 191G. Further data show the yields of 78 varieties which have been 

 discarded from time to time since 1908. De.scriptions are included of several 

 varieties. 



The highest nverage yield for the 9-year period was obtained from Bearded 

 Purple Straw, 1*0.87 bu. of grain and 1.77 tons of straw per acre. China, Dietz 

 Longberry. Currell Prolific, and Mammoth Red followed in the order named, 

 with average yields of grain of 29.G6, 29.37, 29.27, and 28.94 bu.. re.>^i>ectively. 

 The lowest average yield was secured from Miracle, 20.09 bu.. in a .5-year test, 

 seeded at the rate of 2 pk. per acre. 



The more common dLseasos and insect pests of wheat are briefly described 

 and control measures are recommended. 



The effect of soil moisture content on certain factors in wheat production, 

 F. S. Haurs and H. J. M.wguan (Itah Uta. Bui. 152 (1917), pp. S-15, figs. 15).— 

 Supplementary to work previously noted (E. S. R., 32, p. 814; 36, p. 234), 

 experiments are reportefl on the water requirements of wheat conductetl during 

 1913, 1914. and 191.5 in large tanks, previously described (E. S. R., 22, p. 42.5.). 

 The life of the wheat plant was divide<l into three periods, as follows : From 

 planting to the five-leaf stage, from the five-leaf stage to the boot stage, and 

 from the boot stage to maturity. The results of the experiments are presentetl 

 in 15 figures, the lower part of which represent the average moisture content 

 of the soil during each of the three periods in the growth of the crop. The 

 effects of the moisture treatments are noted on yield of grain, weight of straw, 

 yield of dry matter, number of kernels protluced. weight of 100 kernels, number 

 of heads produced, length of heads, number of kernels per head, weight of grain 

 per head, amount of tillering, height of plants, date of maturity, and evapora- 

 tion and transpiration of water. The moisture treatments for the different 

 periods varied from 7.5 to 35 per cent (saturation) of the .soil. 



The highest yield of grain was obtaine<l on the soil having about 20 per cent 

 moisture throughout the season. The wheat plant seems especially sensitive 

 to .soil moisture conditions during the period immediately precetling the boot 

 stage. 



The evaporation and transpiration from a ."^oil producing a large crop was 

 greater than from a free-water surface, but there was a greater loss from the 

 water surface than from the soil producing only a small crop. The importance 

 of favorable soil moisture conditions to gootl wheat yields is apparent, the 

 yield being more than 20 times as great with proper soil moisture conditions as 

 with unfavorable conditions. Excessive soil moisture was as detrimental to 

 good yields as a lack of sutlicieut soil moisture. 



