1917] FIELD CROPS. 443 



lected families, deterioration from lack of selection, and the relationships be- 

 tween percentage of sugar, yield of sugar, and average root weight of sugar 

 beet rows. 



The observations reported indicate that although sugar beet improvement 

 has been accomplished, continuous selection is not necessarily the basis upon 

 which it has been attained. That the best roots transmit no better qualities 

 than do the mediocre roots is shown by the tables and graphs submitted. The 

 differences are mere fluctuations and have no definite influence, upon improve- 

 ment, although continuous selection applied to real differences as a possibility 

 of improvement is still an open question. The real differences between sugar 

 beet families are usually very slight and are greatly exceeded by their fluctua- 

 tions. Both the best and the poorest families transmit average qualities, so 

 that continuous selection is not an eflicient means of improvement. 



The isolation of mutants offers promise for improvement, but the number 

 of individuals entering into these investigations was too small and the period 

 of time over which the experiments extended (two generations) was too brief 

 to determine the fact or the frequency of their appearance. If the mutation 

 method is to be used for improvement, it is deemed essential that more effi- 

 cient experimental methods be devised to reduce the effects of soil differences 

 and make it possible to distinguish real differences more clearly. This can be 

 accomplished by the more frequent use of check rows and by replications of the 

 progeny rows. Whether the original stock or the new variety should be used 

 as a source of material from which to isolate more valuable mutants can be 

 determined only when it is known in which the mutants occur with the greater 

 frequency. 



Fundamentals of sugar beet culture iinder California conditions, R. L. 

 Adams {California Sta. Circ. 165 (1911), pp. 22, figs. 4).— The field practices 

 and cultural methods employed in sugar beet production in California are de- 

 scribed and economic factors in the sugar beet industry briefly discussed. 



The cost, value, and profit per acre for 10, 15, and 20 ton crops are estimated, 

 the profits per acre being estimated at $17.75, $44.75, and $67.25, respectively, 

 indicating the advantage of good yields. 



Bussian sugar beet seed, T. G. Palmee {Sugar [Chicagol, 18 {1916), No. 3, 

 pp. 122, 123).- — This is a general discussion of the sugar beet seed industry in 

 Russia, with special reference to the extent of the industry in that country, 

 the quality of Russian seed, and a comparison of the normal price of Russian 

 seed with German and Austrian seed. 



[Sugar cane varieties], J. Jeswiet {Arch. Suikerindus. Nederland. Indie, 

 2Jt {1916), Nos. 12, pp. 359-429; 11, pp. 625-636; S4, pp. 1321-13^9, pis. 2, figs. 

 81; Meded. Proefstat, Java-Suikerindus., 6 {1916), Nos. 5, pp. 67-137; 8; 13, 

 pp. 383-411, figs. 81). — This is a detailed botanical description, profusely illus- 

 trated, of the more important sugar cane varieties of the Dutch East Indies. 

 A discussion of the morphology of the sugar cane, dealing with each portion 

 of the plant in detail, descriptions of the two most important seed-producing 

 varieties, and descriptions of the six varieties nest in importance are included. 



Notes on fallowing in sugar cane cultivation, F. Ledeboer {Arch. Suiker- 

 indus. Nederland. Indie, 24 {1916), No. 30, pp. 1157-1165; Meded. Proefstat. 

 Java-Suikerindus., 6 {1916), No. 11, pp. 323-331). — This is a discussion of some 

 rather limited experiments with fallowing in sugar cane cultivation extending 

 over a three-year period. The results indicate that slightly higher yields were 

 obtained from this practice, especially in dry seasons. 



Lodging in sugar cane, and its prevention, H. F. K. Douglas {Arch. 

 Suikerindus. Nederland. Indie, 24 {1916), Nos. 18, pp. 667-S88, figs. 2; 21, pp. 



