FIELD CEOPS. 635 



Comparisons of yield between hybrids and selections in oats, H. H. Love 

 (Amer. Breeders Mag., 3 {1912), No. 4, pp. 289-292). — This paper gives data on 

 yields which show that in a 3-year average 10 selected varieties of oats did 

 not produce as well as their hybrids, the yields being 53.1 and 54 bu. per 

 acre, respectively. In a 2-year average the yields were 5S.1 and 59 bu., resix'c- 

 tively. In the best yields of the hybrids a single variety figured largely, thus 

 indicating the iwssible advantage of some one variety in making crosses for 

 given localities. 



" These results show the possibilities of improving the oat crop by the 

 selection of good plants from a variety or by the combination through hybridi- 

 zation of the desirable qualities of different varieties." 



Report on the experimental potato fields, 1911-12, G. Seymour {Jour. 

 Dept. Agr. Victoria, 11 {19 IS), No. 3, pp. 166-174, figs. 2).— In variety tests 

 and manurial experiments during the season 1911-12, the use of 265 lbs. of 

 Thomas phosphate was followed by an average of 4 tons 8 cwt. 39 lbs. of 

 potatoes per acre, whereas with 224 lbs. superphosphate the average was 4 

 tons 68 lbs. Descriptions are given of a few new seedling varieties. 



The culture of rice in Madagascar, L. Galtie {Bui. Econ. Gouvt. Gen. Mad(i- 

 gascar, 12 {1912), I, No. 1, pp 18-29). — This paper gives a description of the 

 cultivation of rice in Madagascar, including the classification, method of cul- 

 ture, preparation of the soil, seeding, work in the nurseries, harvesting, and 

 returns per acre, together with discussions on threshing, decortication, and a 

 description of the cultivation in marshes and on upland farms. 



Sugar-beet culture in South Dakota, J. H. Shepard {South Dakota Sta. Bui. 

 142, pp. 163-184. figs. 4)- — This bulletin gives a brief historical resume of work 

 carried on at intervals since 1888, some of which was in cooperation with this 

 Department. Methods of cultivation are described whereby yields of beets have 

 reached from 26,515 lbs. to 47,593 lbs. per acre, with a percentage of sugar 

 ranging from 16.2 to 22. By severe seed selection from analyzed mother beets 

 the percentage of sugar has been greatly increased, one individual reaching 

 25.4. Great improvement has also been made in the uniformity of percentages 

 of different individual beets. The number of beets of a single mother beet 

 falling below 15 per cent was at first from 50 to 100 per cent, while at the end 

 of the second sea.son only from 0.9 to 7 per cent fell below the standard, and 

 in 4 years' time the standard was raised to 18 per cent of sugar. It is noted 

 that the best product has been grown on upland rather than on low black, 

 mucky bottom land. 



See also a previous note (E. S. R., 25. p. 738). 



Storing' and marketing sweet potatoes, H. C. Thompson ( V. S. Dept. Agr., 

 Farmers' Bui. 548, pp. 15, figs. 9).- — This publication gives as important factors 

 in keeping sweet potatoes, maturit.y, careful handling, thorough curing after 

 being put in the house, and uniformity of temperature. Directions and a bill 

 of material for the construction of a storage house to meet these requirements 

 are given, as are also some good market varieties and directions for harvesting 

 and marketing. 



The Cornell experiments in breeding timothy, H. J. Webber {Amer. Breed- 

 ers Mag., 3 {1912), No. 2, pp. 85-99, figs. 5). — A discussion based largely upon 

 data previously noted (B. S. R.. 27. p. 535). 



Additional knowledge on the inheritance of the winter resistant character 

 of winter wheat, H. Nilsson-Ehle {Ztschr. Pflxinzenziicht., 1 {1912), No. 1, pp. 

 3-12). — The discu.ssion in this paper covers observations on the behavior of dif- 

 ferent varieties of wheat and their hybrids under various degrees of winter 

 severity during periods between 1900 and 1912. 



