736 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol. 37 



and S9 per cent, respectively. The detailed results of the experiments are given 

 in tables. 



On the germinability of rice (Oryza sativa) and corn (Zea mays) in rela- 

 tion to temperature and humidity, Anna Da Fang {Atti 1st. Bot. R. Univ. 

 Pavia, 2. ser., 16 (1916), pp. n~S9). — This paper reports experiments with five 

 varieties of rice and three varieties of corn in a study of the effect upon germi- 

 nation of varying the temperature, the loss of moisture in the seetl during ex- 

 posure to the various temperatures, and the percentage of moisture in the seed 

 during germination. The plan of the experiment included the exposure of the 

 seed of the different varieties for from one to three hours, at temperatures 

 of 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80° C, and for one hour at a temperature of 90°. The 

 seeds were also germinated at the teniperature of the surrounding air, approxi- 

 mately 23°. The data are presented in tabular form and discussetl at some 

 length. 



The author concludes that In 0. sativa the maximum germination was ob- 

 tained after exposure of the seed for three hours at 30°. except with the 

 Ranghino variety, which attained Its maximum germination after two hours 

 exposure at 40°, and the germination of the different varieties varying between 

 84 and 88 per cent. The mlniraum germination ol).servtHl occurred with expo- 

 sure for throe hours at 80°, and varied between IS and 24 per cent, while ex- 

 posure for one hour at 90° entirely destroyed the power of germination. The 

 maximum moisture content of the seed for successful germination did not cor- 

 respond in any way to the maximum moisture content of the seed. The quan- 

 tity of moi.sture best suited for germination in 0. sativa apparently lies between 

 the limits of O..') and 12..") per cent, figun^ wliich correspond to the moisture 

 content itresent at the maximum and minimum germination of the seed. 



The results olitained with Z. niaj/s were analogous to those note<l altove. 

 Maximum germination was observed after exposure of tlie see<1 for two hours 

 at 40°, varying between 93 and 9.") per cent. The minimum gormlnation oc- 

 curred after exposure for three hours at 70°. while exposure for one hour or 

 longer at 80° resulted in loss of germinability. As in O. sativa. maxinuim and 

 minimum germination did not correspond to maximum and minimum moisture 

 content of the seed, but to an intermediate value. 



Wheat and rye production in Iowa. W. R. Hechler (Intra Sta. Cirr. S7 

 (1917), pp. 8, flg/^. 3). — Recommendations are made for increased production of 

 winter and spring wheat and winter rye in Towa. 



Plants growing on moor soils as a source of fiber, and the use of sphag- 

 num in making bandages, IT. von P^kilitze.n (Svni.ika Mosskkulturfiir. Tidskr.. 

 SI (1917), No. 1, pp. 96-109, pis. 2, fifjs. 4). — This article discu.sses the value of 

 Eriophornm vaginatum as a source of fiber for use in the textile industries and 

 reviews briefly experimental and commercial work in this direction. The re- 

 sults of an experiment on the capacity for water absorption of air-dry fiber 

 samples of E. vaginatum, flax, jute, cotton, and wool arc reported. Brief notes 

 are also given on the use of sphagnum moss in the proparntion of bandage.''. 



The origin and cultural history of the Danish strains of Barres field beet, 

 L. HiLWEG (Tidsskr. PlanteavL. 2S (1916), No. 2, pp. 2S9-SS9. figs. 20).— An 

 article discussing briefly the origin of the field beet and its development from 

 the wild species licta maritima. The early cultivated forms are briefly noted 

 and the more important varieties grown In Denmark at the present time are 

 described. 



In reviewing the history of the Barres field beet In Denmark it Is pointed 

 out that this variety constituted 21.2 per cent of the field beets grown In 1884 

 as fompnrod with 8S.4 per cent In 191.5. The area devoted to the variety in 

 1915 was approximately 270,000 acres. The history of different strains of 



