1917J 



FIELD CROPS. 



535 



punga bark (CcphaJoncma polyandrum) , and several Agave and Furcrsea fibers. 

 Both the baobab and punga barks are reported as being suitable for paper 

 making. 



The agave fiberr. of Tunis, L. Guillociion (Vie Agr. et Rurale, 6 {1916}, 

 No. 52, pp. JfoS-461, fi'js. -jf). — This is a general discussion of the production of 

 agave fiber in Tunis, with special reference to sisal. 



Alfalfa culture, C. G. Williams (Mo. Bui. Ohio Sta., 2 (1917), No. 6, pp. 

 113-111, figs. 2). — The essentials in growing alfalfa the first year are enumer- 

 ated and briefly discussed. 



An increased yield of more than 1,200 lbs. of hay per acre for the first year 

 is reported from a 320-lb. application of acid phosphate at Wooster. 



Comparative tests with different amounts of seed sown broadcast for three 

 years gave the highest average yield, 9,1-18 lbs. per acre, with a 10-lb. rate. 

 Further tests using the same rates but comparing broadcasting with drilling 

 in the seed are reported for 1913 and 1914. The highest average yield, 9,5G9 lbs., 

 was obtained from the 5-lb. rate drilled in, with a 10-lb. rate broadcasted second, 

 with a yield of 9,216 lbs. Counts of the original plants showed 75 per cent 

 remaining after two years from the 10-lb. rate, but only 23 per cent from the 

 25-lb. rate. 



Tests with clipping alfalfa in 1907 indicated that a growth of from 12 to 18 in. 

 might remain without cutting in the fall with no harmful effect to new seedings. 

 Clippings made in September and October of that year were estimated to 

 have reduced the yield from 500 to 1,300 lbs. per acre the following year, and 

 to have increased the percentage of weeds. Clipping in August may be 

 admissible if weeds are serious. 



Cassava as a competitor of niaize and potatoes in the production of starch 

 and allied products (Queensland Agr. Jour., n. ser., 6 (1916), No. 5, pp. 313- 

 311, figs. 3). — This is a general discussion of cassava growing and its substitu- 

 tion for corn and potatoes as a source of starch. 



The relation between the anatomical structure and some peculiarities of 

 the different varieties of clover, V. Zholtkevich (W. Joltkewitch) (Zhur. 

 Opi/tn. Agron. (Jour. Agr. Expt.), 11 (1916), No. 3, pp. 239-250, figs. 3).— The 

 author presents data obtained from two years' observations on the flowering 

 habits and certain anatomical measurements of several varieties of clover. A 

 definite relationship was found to. exist between the flowering habits and the 

 length of the cells of the stomata, the diameter of the palisade cells, the inter- 

 nodal length of the stems, and the length of the corolla tube of the different 

 varieties. 



Corn culture, T. B. Hutcheson, E. R. Hodgson, and T. K. Wolfe (Virginia 

 Sta. Bui. 211} (1911), pp. 3-12, figs. 2). — A brief review of experimental work 

 conducted in various sections of the country, relative to the value of cultivation 

 for corn, is given, and results obtained at the Virginia Station in similar experi- 

 ments are reported for 1913-1916, with averages as follows : 



Average results of corn-cultivation tests, 1913-1916. 



Year. 



No cultivation. 



Weeds allowed to 

 grow. 



Grain. Fodder. 



Weeds cut with 

 hoe. 



Grain. I Fodder. 



Three cultivations. 



Grain. Fodder. 



Five cultivations. 



Grain. Fodder. 



1913 



1914 



1915 



1916 



A vera go 



Bushels. 



7.49 

 No test. 



2.84 

 14.18 



8.17 



Tons. 

 0.65 



0.45 

 1.02 



0.71 



Bushels. 

 27.81 

 64.50 

 38.26 

 65.59 



49.04 



Tons. 

 0.88 

 1.74 

 1.20 

 1.83 



1.41 



BuisheU. 

 34.99 

 75.70 

 51.51 

 75.53 



59.43 



Tons. 

 1.14 

 1.77 

 1.40 

 2.07 



1.59 



Bushels. 

 40.56 

 73.10 

 53.56 

 67.50 



58.68 



Tons. 

 1.29 

 1.92 

 1.26 

 1.76 



1.56 



