FIELD CROPS. 737 



Inoculation, barnyard mannre, and fall seeding seem to have been essential 

 to success. 



Cooperative manurial experiments on lucern, T. G. W. Reinicke {Agr. 

 Jour. Union 80. Africa, 4 {1912), No. J,, pp. 523-528). — This is a report on 

 alfalfa experiments to determine whether superphosphate alone would con- 

 tinue to give good results, or whether better results would not be obtained 

 with superphosphate and potash or lime, or both ; to compare the action of 

 basic slag and the bone manures with that of superphosphate, and to ascertain 

 further what amounts of basic slag and superphosphate would give the most 

 economic results; and to compare the effect of barnyard manure with that of 

 artificial manures. Tabulated data give the results of these experiments. 

 Twelve tons of dry sheep's manure produced the largest net profit, followed 

 closely by a 400 lb. application of superphosphate. The total yields of hay per 

 acre ranged from 5,724 to 10,892 lbs. 



Broom com culture, A. G. McCall {New York and London, 1912, pp. 60, 

 figs. 2Jf). — This book describes the broom corn plant and discusses the soil and 

 climatic conditions, the enemies of broom com, the harvesting of the crop, by- 

 products, and the manufacture of brooms. 



Methods of corn breeding', H. K. Hates (Amer. Breeders Mag., S {1912), 

 No. 2, pp. 99-108, figs. 4)- — This paper, continuing previous work (E. S. R., 25, 

 p. 737), presents some evidence to show that practical corn breeding does not 

 at present take advantage of its full possibilities. Five inbred strains figure 

 chiefly in this work. After 5 or 6 years of inbreeding their yields ranged from 

 2 to 41.3 bu. per acre. The author states that inbreeding does not run out a 

 race but isolates biotyiies, that some biotypes can scarcely live unless in a state 

 of hybridity, and that the type after being isolated will not be further affected 

 by constant inbreeding. 



The study in reciprocal crosses of biotypes seemed to confirm tlie following 

 conclusions: (1) Reciprocal crosses are equal within the limits of fluctuating 

 variability, which shows that very nearly pure biotypes were used; (2) all 

 crosses between pure biotypes did not seem to be beneficial; (3) crosses from 

 nearly related types showed little benefit from crossing; (4) some crosses were 

 much more vigorous than others. Reciprocal crosses of these inbred types 

 showed yields ranging from 3.6 to 75.6 bu. per acre. In comparing the F and 

 F2 generations it was found that there was always a falling off in yield in the 

 F2 generation, which points to the necessity of making crosses of 2 distinct types 

 each year for maximum yields. 



Relative values of crosses between pure biotypes and between highly selected 

 varieties are discussed. 



In conclusion it is noted that " the utilization of Fi hybrids in corn breeding 

 will materially increase the corn yield. Selection is of importance in isolating 

 the better types and ridding the variety of the poorer types. The highest 

 yields of com will be received from carefully bred selections which when 

 crossed prove the most vigorous combinations by actual test." 



Maize experiments at the experimental farm, Potchefstroom, T. O. Bell 

 {Agr. Jour. Union 80. Africa, 4 {1912), No. 4. PP- 535-538). — This paper reiwrts 

 the results of variety tests of corn, in which the yields of shelled corn ranged 

 from 340 to 520 lbs. per acre. In an experiment as to the proper distance 

 in planting, better results were obtained when the rows were planted 2 ft. 

 apart, than when 2 ft. 6 in., 3 ft. 6 in., or 4 ft. 



Manurial experiments on maize, 1911-12, H. J. Vipond {Agr. Jour. Union 

 80. Africa, 4 {1912), No. 4, pp. 520-534) .—This paper reports in tabulated form 

 the results of fertilizer trials with com during the years 1910-1912. The 

 yields ranged from 4S4 to 2,220 lbs. per acre. 



