FIELD CROPS. 831 



iiigs, the indications from tlie first year's results favoring the nitrate of 

 ammonia. 



Oats: Experiments on culture, varieties, and fertilization, J. F. Duggab 

 and E. F. Cauthen (Alahavui Col Sta. Bui. 173, pp. 121-144, figs. 4).— Experi- 

 ments on methods of sowing oats included sowing broadcast, with a grain drill, 

 and drilling in open furrow, and the results for several years show that drilling 

 with the ordinary grain drill gave most satisfactory results, although all 

 thorough methods were satisfactory when the winters were not severe. 



The advantages of fall over spring sowing were pointed out to be "(1) a 

 much larger yield, even after deducting the losses from partial winter killing ; 

 (2) the utilization of poorer land by the fall-sown crop; (3) the employment 

 of teams at a time when they are not needed in preparation of land for cotton 

 or corn; and (4) earlier maturity of fall-sown oats, permitting the use of the 

 crop and the use of the land at least 2 weeks earlier than when oats are sown 

 after Christmas." Fall seeding gave an average increase of 19.6 bu. per acre 

 over spring seeding. 



Tests of varieties ranging from 3 to 10 years showed yields varying from 

 2.5 to 61.5 bu. per acre. The Red Kust Proof type proved to be the best yielder. 

 with Appier at the head in a 9 years' test, followetl by Red Rust Proof in a 

 10 years' test. Six varieties of oats are described. 



In fertilizer trials nitrate of soda, cotton-seed meal, cotton seed, sulphate of 

 ammonia, calcium cyanamid, ground rock, acid phosphate, and barnyard 

 manure were used, and resulted in the following conclusions : " The yield of 

 oats has been profitably increased by nitrogen in almost every form in which 

 it has been tested ... Of the commercial sources of nitrogen the most effective 

 has been nitrate of soda . . . Acid phosphate proved more effective and 

 economical for oats than did ground-rock phosphate. A general fertilizer for 

 oats may well consist of 200 to 300 lbs. of acid phosphate per acre, and on poor, 

 sandy land 30 lbs. of muriate of potash (or equivalent), all applied at the time 

 of planting; and, in addition, 100 lbs. of nitrate of soda in ]Murch. However, in 

 a permanent system of farming most of the nitrogen for oats should be supplied 

 by a preceding crop of legumes, or in the form of stable manure." 



Oat smut is discussed and directions for treatment are given. 



Three and four-year oat experiments, W. Ohi.mee (Arh. Dent. Landw. 

 Gescll., 1912, No. 215, pp. 734)- — This reports results of numerous experiments 

 carried out under the direction of the German Agricultural Society. Two 

 series of experiments are discussed, one covering the period from 1905-1907, 

 and the other from 1905-1908. 



The 3 standard varieties gave average yields of grain ranging in 1905 from 

 2,348 to 2,400 kg.; in 1906 from 2,742 to 2,967 kg.; and in 1907 from 3,140 to 

 3,440 kg. per hectare. The average annual yields of grain for the second series 

 ranged from 1,947 kg. per hectare in 1905 to 2.945 kg. in 1907. Each experi- 

 ment is discussed, and the results tabulated in detail, giving yield of grain and 

 straw ; weight of 1,000 kernels, which ranged from 28.89 to 37.20 gm. ; weight 

 of 1 liter of kernels, which ranged from 485.3 to 553 gm. ; the percentage of 

 hulls to grain weight, which was from 21.32 to 29 ; and the content of ash, pro- 

 tein, fat, fiber, and nitrogen-free extract. 



An anatomical investig'ation of some oat families, with reference to the 

 relation between the anatomical structure and the physiolog-ical characters 

 of plants, O. W. Jakushkine and N. Wawilow (Zhur. Opytn. Agron. (Riiss. 

 Jour. Expt. Landw.), 13 (1912), No. 6, pp. 830-861).— -This paper reports work 

 on 17 varieties of oats planted in the experiment fields at Moscow in 1911-12. 

 A description of these varieties is given. The investigation was confined to the 



