140 EXPEEIMEISTT STATION RECOED. 



Within the ' pure line.' Of these, about 4,217 abnormal and 5,030 normal seed- 

 lings were transplanted to the field. In doing this great care was used to main- 

 tain precisely comparable conditions for both normal and abnormal plants. . . . 

 Of the 5,030 normal plants, 226 or 4.493 per cent died. Of the 4,217 seedlings 

 showing some morphological variation from type, 2S6 or 6.782 per cent failed to 

 reach maturity." 



Berseem, or Egyptian clover (Trifolium alexandrinmn) {Jour. Dept. Agr. 

 So. Aust., 16 (1913), No. 6, pp. 6S8, 689, fig. i).— This paper reports 2 trials in 

 which was produced a growth of from 15 to 24 in. in height at each of 5 cuttings 

 during the season under irrigation. It is stated that the crop made an excellent 

 food for poultry, cows, horses, and pigs. 



A manual of clover culture, W. II. Pyre (Waterloo, Iowa, 1913, pp. 10^, 

 figs. 39). — In the presentation of this book the author has attempted to empha- 

 size the value of clover as a soil improver, placing special stress upon the im- 

 portance of inoculation. He also discusses general facts about clovers, clover 

 troubles, the story of " nitragin," and clover varieties. 



The manag-ement of clover in corn belt rotation, J. A. Drake (Ann. Rpt. 

 III. Farmers' Inst., 16 (1911), pp. 83-94, flff-'<- -'/)• — The author points out the 

 element of uncertainty in seeding clover in early spring on light snow or honey- 

 combed soil, and advises waiting until the late spring and putting the seed in 

 with a harrow or disk drill to insure covering. If sown with rye the clover will 

 be well shaded, the likelihood of success in :;etting a good stand will be larger 

 than in the case of seeding with oats, and the ground can be disked and har- 

 rowed with little injury. Reference is also made to the practice of sowing in 

 wheat in the fall and spreading straw over the field, this resulting in a good 

 stand of clover in the spring coming up through the straw. 



Factors affecting' the production of long-staple cotton, O. F. Cook ( U. S. 

 Dept. Agr., Bur. Plant Indus. Circ. 123, pp. 3-9). — This paper points to the 

 fact that through the activities of this Department in the introduction of im- 

 proved early varieties, the cultivation of long-staple cotton introduces a new 

 factor into the problem of production. The author calls attention to the possi- 

 bilities of a temporary overproduction of this staple, but believes that the market 

 and manufacturing conditions will probably readjust themselves to meet the 

 conditions and permit of a gradual development of a long-staple industry. 



Egyptian co{ton culture in the Southwest, C. S. Scofield (U. 8. Dept. 

 Agr.. Bur. Plant Indus. Circ. 123, pp. 21-28, figs. 2).— This paper reports the 

 results of field trials with Egyjitian cotton on a small scale by the farmers in 

 the Southwest. 



The yields of this variety in 1912 from Salt River Valley varied from 4S8 to 

 747 lbs. of ginned cotton per acre, and in the Imperial Valley from 396 to 555 

 lbs. per acre. The cost of producing an acre, estimating a yield of 1,800 lbs. 

 of seed cotton, totaled $61, exclusive of interest on land investment. This crop 

 is reported as being one which fits admirably into the best rotation system for 

 the southwestern irrigated lands. When cotton was alternated with alfalfa 

 beneficial results were obtained from both crops. 



Behavior of seed cotton in farm storage, C. J. Brand and W. A. Sherman 

 iU. S. Dept. Agr., Bur. Plant Indus. Circ. 123, pp. 11-20, figs. 2).— From results 

 ^of tests made at Bennettsville, S. C, in which seed cotton was left for several 

 weeks in storage piles, loose and in tramped condition, it was found that from 

 43.5 to 64 per cent of the seed germinated when unaffected by heating. When 

 the heating reached 111° F., from 5 to 13 per cent of the seeds germinated, and 

 when the temperature reached 127 and 133°, no seeds germinated. 



Data as to temperature and moisture conditions in cotton stored in various 

 ways are also reported in tabular form. 



