1»1«1 FIELD CROPS. 339 



Field com in western Washing'ton, E. B. Stookey (Washington Sta., West. 

 Wash. Sta. Mo. BuL, 4 {1916), No. 2, pp. 7-9).— The possibility of growing corn 

 in western Washington is discussed and some of the experimental work with 

 corn by the substation is briefly noted. Conclusions based on general observa- 

 tions, as well as the results of experiments, are presented, and Minnesota No. 

 13, Rutherford Dent, Pearsall Dent, Northwestern Smoky Dent, Windus White 

 Dent, and King Phillip are described with reference to their adaptability to the 

 conditions and needs of the region. 



Wilt-resistant varieties of cotton, E. F. Cauthen (Alabama Col. Sta. Bui. 

 189 (1916), pp. 67-88, pi. 1, fig. i).— Tests made of wilt-resistant varieties of 

 cotton in cooperation with farmers having suitable lands are reported, and 

 notes are given on the nature of cotton wilt and on methods of controlling the 

 disease. The wilt-resistant varieties, Dillon, Modella, Cook, Wood, Covington- 

 Toole, Wilt-Resistant, Tri-Cook, Cook 307-6, Dixie, and Dix-Afifi, used in the 

 experiment, are briefly described. 



A comparison of the different varieties tested, based on the value of lint and 

 seed per acre as indicated by the average results of 15 experiments, showed 

 the following total values per acre : Cook, nonresistant strain, $26.78 ; Modella, 

 $28.96; Wood, $33.09; Dixie, $33.22; Cook 307-6, $34.17; Covington-Toole, 

 $34.42; and Tri-Cook, $40.53 per acre. The range of gains from resistant 

 varieties extended from 8.1 per cent with Wood to 51.3 per cent with Tri-Cook. 

 The average percentage of loss of plants from wilt in these tests was as follows : 

 Cook, nonresistant strain, 40.3 ; Wood, 15.1 ; Modella, 14.7 ; Covington-Toole, 

 10.5 ; Cook 307-6, 9.3 ; Dixie, 8.5 ; Tri-Cook, 7.3 ; and Dillon, 5.4 per cent. Dix- 

 Afifi lost no plants in the two experiments in which it was planted. 



It is pointed out that these wilt-resistant varieties differ slightly in their 

 relative earliness and that they are somewhat later in the time of opening than 

 such standard varieties as Cleveland, Cook, and Triumph. Among the resistant 

 varieties tested those ranking highest in total money value of seed and lint 

 per acre were the earliest and turned out about 40 per cent of lint. 



Methods and results of breeding flax, L. Althauzen (Althausen) (Zhur. 

 Opytn. Agron. (Rvss. Jour. Expt. Landw.), 15 (1914), No. 1, pp. 12-53, figs. 

 12). — This article describes the methods of flax breeding employed by the agri- 

 cultural chemical laboratory at St. Petersburg, together with the principles on 

 which they are based. The work is planned to bring practical results in a short 

 time and at a low expenditure of cost and effort. Some of the more general 

 results are briefly noted. 



It is pointed out that from a single selection made in 1909 there were obtained 

 from the same variety seven different forms, among them one presenting with 

 other characters an average length of stem of 80.6 cm. (31.4 in.) up to the 

 point of branching and another with only 47.9 cm. as the corresponding figure. 

 Selections made in 1911 of 24 commonly grown varieties of flax and propagated 

 for two generations showed that these varieties represented a mixture of forms. 

 The isolation of forms not only exhibited marked differences in height of plant, 

 length of stem, and similar readily recognizable characters, but also variations 

 in the color and size of the blossoms and other minor or less apparent qualities. 

 One of the forms isolated had an average blossom diameter of 1.95 cm. as com- 

 pared with 1.79 cm. and 1.67 cm. for a common variety grown as a check and a 

 small blossomed form, respectively. 



Natal grass, a southern perennial hay crop, S. M. Tracy ( U. S. Dept. Agr., 

 Farmers' Bui. 726 (1916), pp. 16, figs. 4).— Historical, descriptive, and cultural 

 notes are given on Natal grass, and its value and uses are set forth. An analysis 

 of Natal grass hay is included. 

 56493°— 16 4 



