640 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.35 



Observations on the blossoming of hemp, G. Havas {KisMet. Kozlem., 18 

 {1915), No. 5-6, pp. 908-919, pis. 2, figs. 3). — Hemp plants were grown in the 

 open in 1913 and observations were made every fourth hour from 4 a. m. until 

 8 p. m. during the blossoming period. 



It was observed that in both the staminate and pistillate plants blossoming 

 began at one of the upper nodes on the stem and progressed gradually upward. 

 In vigorous plants with branches from the lower nodes, the progress of blos- 

 soming was both upward and downward from the initial blossom, while on 

 the branches themselves the opening of the buds proceeded toward the point. 

 The blossoming of the male plants progressed in such a way that the buds at 

 the ends of the main stem and branches all opened at the same time. The 

 male flowers were found to develop on the leafless portions of the floral axis 

 and the female flowers grouped in pairs in the axils of the leaves. Late- 

 appearing and subordinate branches as a rule bore no flowers. It was further 

 observed that under identical conditions female flowers sometimes reached the 

 receptive stage before the male flowers were ready to supply the pollen. It is 

 stated that in Hungary pollen distribution generally begins during the first 

 half of July, continuing from four to six weeks ; that plants may be in blossom 

 from three to four weeks, and that several thousand blossoms may develop 

 on a single plant. The dehiscence in the staminate flowers took place to the 

 greatest extent during the night and early morning. The development of indi- 

 vidual buds from blossoming to pollination required about seven hours. 



Sorghum vulgare and S. halepense, G. C. Dudgeon {Min. Agr. Egypt, Agr. 

 Prod. No. la {1915), pp. 32). — A general article in encyclopedic form, dealing 

 with S. vulgare, under the principal headings of its botanical description, his- 

 tory, cultivation, value of the crop, uses of the grain, leaves, and stalks, areas 

 and yields, prices and returns, food value, sweet sorghum, and broom sorghum. 

 With regard to S. halepense only brief notes on botanical relationship and 

 its culture are presented. 



Sudan grass, N. Schmitz (Maryland Sta. Bui. 194 (1916), pp. 47-62, figs. 7).— 

 A general discussion of Sudan grass culture in Maryland is presented and the 

 results of cultural and other tests with the crop are reported. 



In 1913 better yields on soils of high and medium fertility, 4.4 and 3.3 tons 

 per acre, respectively, were secured from sowing on June 13 than on earlier 

 and later dates. The average results for three years indicated that under 

 favorable soil conditions 15 lbs. of good seed is sufficient for securing a satis- 

 factory stand. Sudan grass and soy beans as a mixed crop gave the best 

 yield when the Sudan grass was sown at the rate of 15 lbs. and the soy beans 

 at the rate of 6 pks. per acre. The composition of Sudan grass hay, cleaned 

 seed, and straw is given in a table and compared with the composition of other 

 common forage crops. In a digestion test with a bull, coefficients were obtained 

 of 60.6 per cent for dry matter, 35.4 for protein, 41.2 for fat, 50 for crude fiber, 

 and 62 per cent for nitrogen-free extract. 



Studies of variation and correlation of weight and sugar content of beets, 

 especially of sugar beets, W. Otken (Ztsclir. Pflanzenzucht., 3 (1915), No. 3, pp. 

 265-333, figs. 2). — This article deals mainly with the study of correlation be- 

 tween individuals and between the averages of groups of plants. The results 

 obtained are tabulated in detail and discussed at some length. 



The conclusions based on the data accumulated are drawn with reference to 

 the present status of sugar-beet breeding. Belief is expressed in the existence 

 of a series of factors influencing the increase in sugar content either directly or 

 indirectly, and in the combination of an increasing number of these factors 

 through the continued selection of beets high in sugar or the selection and re- 

 ciprocal crossing of families readily transmitting their characters. The breed- 



