336 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD. 



Local fertilizer experiments with cotton in north. Alabama in 1913, 

 J. F. DuGGAR, J. T. Williamson, and L. J. Hawley (Alabama Col. Sta. Bui. 

 170, pp. Jf5-74). — Continuing previous work (B. S. R., 27, p. 34), tests conducted 

 on 7 soil types are reported in tabular form. 



It is noted that in 14 out of 16 conclusive experiments, cotton-seed meal was 

 more effective than either acid phosphate or kainit. In 75 per cent of the 

 experiments acid phosphate was needed to a greater or less extent, and in 44 

 per cent kainit was needed to a greater or less extent. 



" It was more effective and more profitable in both years to apply 100 lbs. of 

 kainit in a complete fertilizer than to use 200 lbs. of kainit. The average of 

 the conclusive experiments shows that 200 lbs. of cotton-seed meal applied 

 before planting was in 1912 practically equal in effect to 100 lbs. of nitrate of 

 soda applied after the plants were 6 in. high." 



The dasheen, a root crop for the Southern States, R. A. Yottnq ( U. S. Dept. 

 Agr., Bur. Plant Indus. Girc. J27, pp. Z5-3Ji, figs. 3).— (Continuing earlier work 

 (E. S. R., 22, p. 631), this paper reports subsequent trials of this crop in the 

 United States. In 1912, a total yield of 1,200 bu. was obtained from 7 acres. 

 Analyses shovp that the corms and tubers are similar to the potato in composi- 

 tion, but as they contain less water the content of starch (27§ per cent), as 

 well as of protein (3 per cent), is roughly a half higher. The plant is de- 

 scribed and its cultural requirements, harvesting, grading, storage, and utiliza- 

 tion are discussed. 



Irish potato investigations, 1909-1913, T. H. White {Maryland Sta. Bui. 

 172, pp. 105-129, figs. 4).— This bulletin supersedes Bulletin 132 (E. S. R.. 21, 

 p. 136), and contains seme additional notes on recent experiments. 



The average yields of 4 varieties during the years 1910-1912 were 171.7 bu. 

 per acre of "primes " from seed grown in Garret County, Md., 139.4 bu. from 

 the Maine grown seed, and 130.6 bu. from herae-grown seed. 



In a test to compare cold storage with cellar storage of seed potatoes it was 

 shown that those from cold storage produced a much higher percentage of 

 stand and larger yields than the cellar stored seed. Seed from which the 

 sprouts had been rubbed off gave slightly larger yields than those with the 

 sprouts left on. "Variety tests during 1910, 1911, and 1912 gave average yields 

 for the 3 years ranging from 106.1 to 195 bu. per acre of " primes " with early 

 planting, and with late planting, from 97.1 to 236.9 bu. per acre. 



Directions for cultivating, fertilizing, and controlling diseases and insects are 

 given. 



The culture of rice on the Kasai Eiver, Congo Free State, B. Mestdagh 

 (Bui. Agr. Congo Beige, 3 (1912), 2fo. 3, pp. 5S3-5S7, figs. 5).— This paper re- 

 ports the methods employed by the natives and discusses cultivation methods, 

 harvesting, storing, and improving the crop. 



The mineral composition of cane at various times of the year, P. Boname 

 (Stc. Agron. Mauritius Bui. 26, 1911, pp. 28-^9). — This report gives tabulated 

 results of analyses showing the content of mineral matter and nitrogen of 2 

 varieties of cane harvested in May, June, July, August September, and Novem- 

 ber, both of the plant as a whole and of the stem, leaves, and heads, on the 

 basis of green material and dry matter, together with total yields. The total 

 yield of dry matter showed a steady increase throughout the season, while 

 there was an increase of mineral matter during the first 3 months, followed by 

 fluctuations. Similar results were observed with the nitrogen content. 



Three-year cultivation experiment with various Squarehead varieties of 

 wheat, G. Bohmer (Arb. Deut. Lundw. Gesell., 1912, No. 224, PP- iS-S).— This 

 publication reports 158 expei-iments carried on in various parts of Germany 



