1917] FIELD CROPS. 541 



1.08 tons per acre, respectively, with average net profits per acre of $12.41, 

 $14.66, and $9.57. 



Ttie average results of all applications of nitrate of soda used alone indicate 

 that the 250-lb. rate gave the highest percentage increase, 61 per cent, while the 

 200-lb. rate gave the highest net profit, 1.52 per cent. The highest net profit 

 from a single application of nitrate of soda, 359 per cent, was also obtained 

 from a 200-lb. application. 



The use of 150 lbs. of nitrate of soda and 250 lbs. of acid phosphate gave the 

 highest single net profit, 341 per cent, of the different combinations tested, also 

 giArtng the highest average net profit, 239 per cent. The average percentage of in- 

 crease varied directly with the amounts of fertilizer applied, being highest, 69 

 per cent, with the heaviest application, 250 lbs. each of nitrate of soda and acid 

 phosphate. 



Applying half the fertilizer the first week in April and half the second week 

 in May as compared with a single application of the whole amount the first 

 week in April did not give as good results on the whole as the latter method. 

 Any increase in yield secured from the two applications was deemed insufficient 

 to pay for the extra labor involved. 



The average net profit per acre of all fall applications of fertilizers was esti- 

 mated to be $5.88, while that of all spring applications wsee estimated at $8.10. 



Tobacco culture in North Carolina, E. H. Matthewson and E. G. Moss 

 (North Carolina Sta. Bui. 237 {1911), pp. 40, figs. iS).— This is a detailed ac- 

 coTint of the production of flue-cured tobacco in North Carolina, including cul- 

 tural and curing directions. A brief historical sketch of the introduction and 

 development of the crop in the State and tabulated statistics on production by 

 counties in 1909 and on sales in the old and new tobacco belts for 1910-11 

 and 1914-15 are also given. 



Tobacco, J. F. Baldassakbe {Bol. Min. Agr. lArgentina], 19 (1915), No. 16- 

 12, pp. 752-826, pis. 2, figs. 52).— This is a detailed discussion of the economic 

 and cultural conditions pertaining to tobacco in Argentina, including statistics 

 on tobacco production in Argentina and other countries and importations and 

 general notes on tobacco production in Cuba, Paraguay, and Brazil. 



Notes on the composition of the ash in relation to the fertilizing of tobacco, 

 S. TiJMSTBA (Meded. Deli-Proefstat. Medan, 10 (1916), No. 1, pp. 12-15).— 

 This is a brief note on the effect of various fertilizer treatments on tobacco ash. 

 The results agree with those obtained by Bylert and Hissink in similar experi- 

 ments. 



Agricultural seed inspected in 1915, C. P. Smith (Maryland Sta. Bui. 20S 

 (1917), pp. 179-2S0). — The results of purity and germination tests of about 

 1,200 official samples collected during 1915 are reported in tabular form and 

 include red, mammoth, crimson, and alsike clovers, alfalfa, soy beans, cowpeas, 

 timothy, orchard grass, millets, redtop, and Dwarf Express rape. 



The " tolerance " table for purity tests previously noted (E. S. R., 36, p. 442) 

 was applied to the above tests, and a similar table devised and illustrated to 

 determine the tolerance for variations in germination tests. 



The percentage of hard seeds in the samples of legume seeds tested is also 

 reported. 



Some information concerning the recognition of the Italian origin of red 

 clover and alfalfa seed, G. Lakon (Landw. Jahrb., Jf9 (1916), No. 1, pp. 1S7- 

 145, figs. 2). — Numerous tests are noted for the determination of the origin 

 of the red clover and alfalfa seed on the German market. It is demonstrated 

 that with a knowledge of the weed flora of a region commercial seed from that 

 region can be definitely identified. 



