234 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.35 



An electric iiicubator for bacteriological work, W. M. Esten (Connecticut 

 Storrs Sta. Bui. 84 (1915), pp. 1S9-U6, figs. 5).— The author describes an elec- 

 tric inciibator which he has made that proves to be inexpensive, serviceable, and 

 durable. One of these incubators, made for the Carnegie Institution of Wash- 

 ington, was 30 by 18 by 14 in. inside measurement and cost, including labor 

 and material, $70.85. This has been in use for three years and has given ex- 

 cellent satisfaction. A trial incubator made by the author has been in con- 

 stant use for 10 or 12 years and has proved thoroughly satisfactory. 



FIELD CROPS. 



[Experiments with field crops in Barbados] (Rpt. Dept. Agr. Barbados, 

 1914-15, pp. 2-32). — Experiments with sugar cane conducted at 16 estates 

 included a comparison of seedling varieties with the White Transparent as a 

 standard. The results show that B. 6450 yielded on the average 5.76 tons of 

 cane, or 1,727 lbs. of saccharose per acre more than White Transparent, and 

 that B. 6032 yielded on the average 5.57 tons of cane, or 1,334 lbs. of saccharose 

 per acre more than B. 6450. Results are also reported on a comparison of 

 seedling canes, including B. 6450, with White Transparent when grown as plant 

 canes and rattoons on the blacli and red soils of the island. These results 

 also generally favored the seedling canes. In a fertilizer experiment with 

 sugar cane in which each fertilizer application supplied nitrogen at the rate 

 of 00 lbs. per acre, sulphate of ammonia apparently produced 101 lbs., nitrate 

 of ammonia 334 lbs., nitrolim 495 lbs., and nitrate of lime 547 lbs. of sac- 

 charose per acre more than was secured from the use of nitrate of soda. 



The results of selection experiments with cotton are reported in tables which 

 also include a description of the different varieties and strains which entered 

 into the test. The work in progress represents an effort to improve the in- 

 digenous varieties of cotton. 



The results of variety tests with cassava, economic Colocasieae, Caladiums, 

 and Xanthosomas, leguminous crops, yams, and grasses are presented in tabular 

 form with brief notes. 



[Experiments with field crops at the Tortola experiment station], F. 

 Watts (Imp. Dept. Agr. West Indies, Rpt. Agr. Dept. Tortola, 1914-15, pp. 7- 

 15"}.— In a variety test with sugar cane harvested as first rattoons, B. 6450 

 ranked first with a yield of 19.2 tons of cane per acre, and this was the only- 

 variety giving a high yield in an unfavorable season. Experiments with cot- 

 ton varieties showed that St. Vincent was larger and more vigorous than St. 

 Kitts and also exhibited a greater power of resistance to dry weather. In 

 a comparison of cassava varieties, Blancita ranked first with a yield of 7 tons 

 per acre. The results of tests with sweet potatoes in 1914-15 showed the 

 heavie.st yields from Harper, Anguilla, and Bourbon, producing 13,024, 11,584, 

 and 10,304 lbs. per acre, respectively. The best yields of peanuts 1,500 lbs. 

 per acre, were secured from the Gambia and Dixie Giant varieties. 



Various strains of cotton originated from St. Kitts seed were tested and the 

 yields of seed-cotton were found to range from 988 to 1,118 lbs. per acre. Field 

 and laboratory notes on the cotton-selection work are given. 



[Experiments with field crops at the St. Kitts-Nevis experiment stations], 

 F. Watts (Imp. Dept. Agr. West Indies, Rpt. Agr. Dept. St. Kitts-Nevis, 

 1914-15. pp. 2-14).— Jn a test of 13 varieties of sweet potatoes, Caroline Lee, 

 Playwell. and Brass Cannon ranked first and yielded in the order mentioned 

 over 1,500 lbs. of crop per acre. The results of variety tests with yams in 

 pro^civss for 11 years gave first rank to French No. 3 with an average yield of 

 14,376 lbs. per acre followed by Jackroe with 12,420 lbs. 



