34 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD. [Vol.35 



results for three years show a yield of S2.8 bu. per acre and a range from 79.9 

 to SS.5 bu., the strain ranking first being Maine No. 340. 



An experiment of seeding oats at the rate of 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 20 pk. per 

 acre gave results decidedly in favor of the seeding with 14 pk., and indicated 

 that when the crop is seeded with 3 or 3i bu. per acre the yield is likely to be 

 as great as when seeded with 4 or 5 bu. The experiment was planned to be 

 repeated in 1916. 



Oats in Washington, E. G. Schafeb and E. F. Gaines {Washington Sta. Bill. 

 129 {1916), pp. 3-13, figs. 3). — This bulletin describes 16 varieties of oats and 

 reports the results of tests of a list of varieties in the nursery and the field. 



Regarding the average yield of all the varieties in the nursery test as 100, 

 the comparative yields ranged fi'om 121.4 for Sparrowbill to 51.5 for Chinese 

 Hulless. In the field tests Abundance, Banner, Swedish Select, and Sixty Day 

 led in yield. Averaging the results of the field and nursery tests the leading 

 varieties, given in decreasing order of yield, were Abundance, Banner, Sparrow- 

 bill, Swedish Select, and Sixty Day, all of which gave a yield above the average 

 of the eight varieties in the tests. 



[Experiments with, potatoes], C. D. Woods {Maine Sta. But. 2^6 {1916), pp. 

 16-27). — An experiment is reported on the effect of omitting potash from the 

 fertilizer application in growing potatoes. The four different mixtures used 

 contained 4 per cent of nitrogen, of which one-third was in the form of nitrate 

 of soda and 8 per cent of available phosphoric acid. The first plat in each of 

 the two series received no potash, the second 2 per cent, the third 5 per cent, 

 and the fourth 8 per cent. In each case the fertilizer was applied at the time of 

 planting at the rate of 1,500 lbs. per acre. The average yield on the two plats 

 receiving no potash was 302 bu. as compared with 320 l>u. on the plats receiving 

 2 per cent, 320 bu. on those receiving 5 per cent, and 331 bu. on those receiving 

 8 per cent of potash. It is concluded that while the results from the use of 

 the larger amounts of potash indicate that potash may be expected to increase 

 the yield of potatoes in Aroostook County, they also indicate that a profitable 

 yield can be obtained without its addition for at least one year. 



In a comparison of different methods of applying the fertilizer in potato ciil- 

 ture at Aroostook Farm, 1,500 lbs. per acre was used of a fertilizer carrying 4 per 

 cent nitrogen, 8 per cent available phosphoric acid, and 7 per cent water-soluble 

 potash. One-third of the nitrogen was in the form of nitrate of soda and the re- 

 mainder was high-grade organic nitrogen. The entire quantity was applied in 

 the planter or broadcast, or 1,000 lbs. was applied in the planter or broadcast 

 and 500 lbs. given when the crop was up. The average results of two years 

 show that there is little to choose between the methods compared, and the experi- 

 ment is to be repeated for further data. 



In a comparison of sulphate of ammonia and nitrate of soda as a source of 

 nitrogen in potato fertilizers, the results for two years show that the sulphate 

 of ammonia plats gave somewhat larger yields than the nitrate of soda plats. 

 The organic nitrogen did not appear to be as completely available as the two 

 other forms. 



The culture of the peanut, J. M. de Souza {Rio de Janeiro: Min. Agr. Indus, 

 c Com., 1915, pp. 3-13). — The culture of the peanut and its uses are briefly de- 

 scribed, and in this connection notes are given on the origin, history, synonomy, 

 geographical distribution, and climatic requirements of the plant. 



The botanical origin of the cultivated varieties of rice, O. Roehrich {A.tsoc. 

 Franr. Aranr. Sri., Compt. Rend., //3 {191J,), pp. Jf79-Ji87). — Historical notes on 

 the development and distribution of rice culture are given, together with 

 botanical descriptions of Oriza latifolia, O. hraehyantha, O. hrcrUigulata, O. 

 longistaminata, and O. sativa. 



