FIELD CROPS. 233 



Sudan grass, a new drought-resistant hay plant, C. V. Piper (C. 8. Dept. 

 Agr., Bur. Plant Indus. Circ. 125, pp. 20, figs. 6). — This circular gives the history 

 of the discovery and introduction of this grass, or " gawari." into the United 

 States in 1909, and reports at a large number of experiment stations and by 

 farmers the results of trials which indicate that it will be a valuable hay plant, 

 especially for the semi-arid regions. At Chillicothe, Tex., 4 cuttings in a season 

 yielded at the rate of 4.4 tons hay per acre. Analyses are given showing the 

 composition of the Sudan bay cut at different stages of maturity. It grows from 

 3 to over G ft. high. 



Tunis grass is also described, but is apparently of much less value than Sudan 

 grass. 



Instructions for conducting comparative experiments with the different 

 varieties of sugar beets, E. Zaleski {Anleitung zur Amfiihrung Verglei- 

 chcnder versuche nut Verschicdenen Zuelzer riihensorten. Krakow, 1912, pp. 38, 

 tables 5). — This worli takes up the sources of error that may occur in field 

 work and in calculations, and discusses remedies and offers mathematical for- 

 mulas to aid in apportioning the probable errors in computing the results for 

 the most accurate comparison. 



The world's sugar production, with statistics, S. Ziegler (Die Zuclcer- 

 prodiiktiun dcr Welt und ihre StatistUc. Briinii, 1912, 2. ed., pp. VII+90).— 

 These statistics cover production and consumption of all sugar-producing coun- 

 tries from 1902-1911. Part 1 discusses the cane sugar industry, and part 2 the 

 beet sugar industry, with a chapter on storage and movement in European 

 markets. 



Fertilizer experiments with taro, W. McGeorge {Hawaii 8ta. Rpt. 1912, pp. 

 56~5S}. — The maximum yield reported, 1,751 lbs. of taro per acre (having 57.6 

 per cent of poi), was obtained with an application of 400 lbs. nitrate of soda, 

 450 lbs. superphospbate, and 400 lbs. sulphate of potash. A poi content, how- 

 ever, of 74.G per cent followed the substitution of 300 lbs. ammonium sulphate 

 for the nitrate, with a yield of 1.702 lbs. per acre. This indicated that the 

 nitrate of soda produces a bulb of greater weight and volume, but in so doing 

 causes a decrease in the carbohj'drate content. 



Quebec experimental tobacco stations, 1911, O. Chevalier {Canada Dept. 

 Agr., Tohacco Div. Bui. A13, pp. 19). — This bulletin reports work in progress 

 at the St. Jacques and St. Cesaire stations, covering selection of seed plants, 

 notes on beds, the growing of Turkish tobacco in Canada, chemical fertilizers, 

 rotations, and Cuban tobacco, with analyses of Quebec and Ontario soils. 



In various methods of cultivation with the Cuban tobacco, the greatest yield 

 was obtained when 1 bud was left to every leaf, being 774 lbs. per ari)ent 

 (921 lbs. per acre). 



The culture of tobacco in Gironde, A. Trichereau {Vie Agr. et Rurale, 

 1912, No. 13, pp. 326-330, figs. 5). — This article describes the method of growing 

 the Paraguay variety of smoking tobacco. An experiment is cited, in which an 

 application of 33.3 francs worth of Thomas slag per tract apparently produced 

 an increased valuation of 361.7 francs of tobacco. 



Vetch growing in the South Atlantic States, A. G. Smith {U. S. Dept. Agr., 

 Farmers' Bui. 529, pp. 21, figs. 6). — This describes 3 varieties of vetch com- 

 monly grown in the South, viz, Vicia angiistifolia, V. sativa, and V. viJlosa. 

 and discusses the fertilizing value of vetch, the time for planting, quantity of 

 seed required, inoculation, production of vetch hay, vetch silage, vetch seed, 

 and vetch honey, and gives rotations including vetch for bottom lands, uplands, 

 cotton farms, and dairy farms. 



>Durum wheat, C. Salmon and J. A. Clark {U. 8. Dept. Agr., Farmers' Bui. 

 53.'i, pp. 16, figs. 4)- — The authors give the dates of introduction of durum 



