FIELD CROPS. 337 



under the direction of the German Agricultural Association from 1905-1907, 

 inclusive. The average yields of grain of the 3 best varieties were in 1905, 

 2,593 kg. per hectare (238 lbs. per acre) ; in 1906, 2,954 kg.; and in 1907, 

 2,426 kg. 



Intensive cultivation of grain, J. Dumont (Ann. Ecole Nat. Agr. Orignon, 

 2 (1911), pp. 62-66). — In an eiperiment ou the intensive cultivation of grain it 

 was found that the yield depended upon 3 factors, the number of stems per 

 given area, the strength of the stem, and the weight of the grain. Planted in 

 hills and cultivated, 25 hills per square meter gave 200 stalks, each yielding an 

 average of 4S kernels that weighed about 2.5 gni., equivalent to about 50 

 quintals per hectare (4,450 lbs. per acre). With the ox'dinary cultivation there 

 were often more than 300 stalks per square meter, yielding only 25 kernels 

 each, and weighing about 1 gm., equivalent to only about 30 quintals per 

 hectare. 



The wild oats (Avena fatua), A. Zade (Arb. Devi. Landw. Oesell., 1912, 

 No. 229, pp. 91, pis. IS). — This treatise gives an exhaustive study of the wild 

 oats, with discussions covering morphology, development, occurrence, rela- 

 tionship to the cultivated variety, and methods of eradication. 



In germination tests the wild oats was found to germinate best when in the 

 milk stage, with a percentage of 44, as against 22 per cent in the yellow ripe 

 stage. As to deptk of planting, from 5 to 10 cm. was more favorable than any 

 other depth down to 30 cm., when germination ceased. 



In a study to discover an intermediate form between the wild and cultivated 

 oats, 61 plants were grown from seed of A. fatua and 27.9 per cent showed the 

 sativa type, 54.1 per cent the intermediate type, and IS per cent the fatua type. 

 The following year 1,600 seeds in 40 series of 40 seeds each were planted from 

 these 61 plants, with practically the same results. The intermediate type series 

 gave 27.2 per cent of sativa type, 51.7 per cent intermediate type, and 21.1 per 

 cent fatuu type. The satwa type series divided into 2.5 per cent intermediate, 

 97.2 per cent sativa, and 0.3 per cent fatua type. The fatua type series divided 

 into 2.2 per cent intermediate type, 97.8 per cent fatua, without any of the 

 sativa type. 



Weeds of cultivated soils, O. Wehfarg (Arb. Deui. Landw. Oesell., 1912, 

 No. 226, pp. 87). — This publication reports results of investigations of soils in 

 various parts of Germany as to weed seeds, and the length of time the various 

 kinds may lie dormant in the soil. The soils were divided into 3 general classes, 

 (1) soils which for many years had not been used for cultivated crops and 

 produced only a few or no weeds; (2) those long under cultivation that pro- 

 duced weeds to some extent; and (3) weedy soils recently brought into in- 

 tensive cultivation. The work covers a period from 1905 to 1907, inclusive. 



Tabulated results are given for soils from sugar beet fields and for cereal 

 fields. The author concludes that the hardiness of the different kinds of weed 

 seeds varies considerably, and that the germinating of certain varieties takes 

 place within definite time limits. 



The Maryland seed law, C. P. Smith (Maryland Sta. Bui. 170, pp. 71-79). — 

 This bulletin includes the text of the Maryland seed law, which became effective 

 October 1, 1912, and the regulations formulated for its enforcement, together 

 with a brief discussion of the advantages of seed inspection. 



The control of agricultural seeds in Switzerland, J. Long (Jour. Bd. Agr. 

 [London], 19 (1912), No. 9, p-p. 726-7S2; Jour. Dept. Agr. So. Aust.. 16 (191S), 

 No. 7, pp. 773-778). — This paper gives a description of the methods employed to 

 test seeds, and notes that seeds are sent to Zurich for examination from every 

 important European country, as well as from the United States. Tables show 



