^®^*1 FIELD CROPS. 83 J^ 



Analyses reported of maiden cane (Panicum hemiHmomum) at different 

 stages of maturity show that during the early stages of growth this grass Is rich 

 in feeding value. 



Studies on oat breeding.— IV, Pure line varieties, F. M. Surface and J 

 ZiNN {Maine Sta. Bui. 250 (1916), pp. 95-11,8, pla. 2, figs. 5).-Thls bulletin de^ 

 fines and illustrates the meaning of a pure line, discusses the general methods 

 used in the pure-line breeding of cereals, and describes work in oat breeding 

 begun in 1910 with 460 individual oat plants representing 18 different com- 

 mercial varieties. A method used for correcting the yield of individual plats for 

 differences in soil fertility is also briefly outlined. Similar work has been pre- 

 viously noted (E. S. R., 32, p. 38; 35, p. 33). 



By means of selection the number of pure linos in 1915 had been reduced to 

 12, representing only 3 of the original commercial varieties. Banner. Irish Victor, 

 and Imported Scotch. The results for three years, given in tables, show that 

 these pure lines averaged in yield 80.8 bu. per acre against 75.2 bu. for 11 com- 

 mercial varieties, only 4 of which gave a better yield than the poorest of the pure 

 lines. In all cases the average yield of the pure lines selected from a given 

 variety exceeded the yield of the parent variety. As the pure lines closely re- 

 semble their respective parent varieties in morphological characters, such as 

 type of head, character of grain, and other features, the changes in the physio- 

 logical characters which result in higher yield are regarded as not necessarily 

 associated with morphological characters in the plant or grain. 



Of the 12 pure lines, Maine 340, an Irish Victor selection with an especially 

 stiff straw, a high weight per bushel and per 1,000 kernels, and a relatively low 

 hull percentage, is regarded as the best for conditions of the experiment, 

 although standing second in average yield. Maine 355, a Banner selection, 

 ranked second in value and gave the best average yield of any of the lines, but 

 It has a slight tendency to lodge on heavy soil. Maine 247, 286. and 357 appeared 

 slightly inferior to the rest in yielding capacity. It is stated that each of the 12 

 pure lines is well adapted to conditions In the southern and central part of 

 Maine, and that, being bred from single plants, they tend to ripen much more 

 evenly and are more uniform in all their characters than most commercial 

 varieties. 



Irish potato spraying, H. P. Stuckey and B. B. Higgins (Georgia Sta. Bui. 

 125 (1916), pp. 115-124. fiffs. 4).— Spraying tests carried on in 1915 and 1916 

 are described and the results, including the cost of spraying each season, are 

 reported. 



Willie the outcome of the two years' tests is not regarded as warranting very 

 definite conclnslons, It Is considered as Indicating that early blight may be very 

 destructive and that during such seasons spraying with Bordeaux mixture as 

 •w^ as arsenate of lead may be practiced success-fully. Two applications of 

 mixed Bordeaux and arsenate of lead were found sufficient for controlling both 

 early blight and potato beetles on early-maturing varieties, and it is recom- 

 mended that the first application be made when the plants are about 6 to 8 in. 

 high and the second about three weeks later. 



Lime-sulphur versus Bordeaux mixture as a spray for potatoes, IV, M. T. 

 MuNN (New York State Sta. Bui. 421 (1916), pp. S11-S17. pi. 1; abs. (1916), 

 pp, 2). — This bulletin describes experiments conducted in 1915 in continuation 

 of work pursued the four preceding years and previously noted (E. S. R., 33, 

 p. 40). 



The results are reported as agreeing essentially with those previously ob- 

 tained, showing that lime-sulphur Is harmful rather than beneficial to potatoes. 

 Bordeaux mixture prevented tlpburn to a considerable extent, made the foliage 



