482 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD, 



were from 6 to 8 in. high in the case of ruta-bagas, and from 4 to 6 in. in the 

 case of carrots; for every day the tliinuing is postponed the decrease in the 

 yield of ruta-bagas (as in the case of mangels and turnips) may be estimated 

 at 1 cwt. of dry matter per tondeland (1.36 acres), and that of carrots at i 

 cwt. The percentage of dry matter was not affected by the time of thinning, 

 but only the gross yields of roots. If carrots are grown for feeding, roots and 

 tops, the thinning should be finished before the plants have, in general, 3 com- 

 plete leaves besides the cotyledons. 



The conclusions drawn from the experiments on distance of sowing root 

 crops were that when the work in the root field is crowding, it is advantageous 

 to give the mangels a distance of from 22 to 24 in. between the rows 

 and from 8 to 10 in. between the plants in the row, and ruta-bagas from 

 24 to 26 In. between the rows, with 15 in. between plants in the row. 

 On the other hand, when the farmer can easily take care of the work in the 

 beet field in due season, and where the question of complete eradication of 

 weeds is not vital, the distance of sowing, especially of mangels, may preferably 

 be I'educed 2 in. between the rows. For carrots a distance of 21 in. and no 

 thinning was found advantageous under all conditions. 



The results showed that the percentage of dry matter in roots grown on the 

 same land decreased regularly with increased size of the roots, and that the 

 decrease in dry substance for every jjound of increase in the weight of the roots 

 is largest for roots of a high dry-matter content and smallest for roots of a 

 lower dry-matter content, being about 0.9 per cent per pound of increase in 

 the former case, and from 0.5 to 0.6 per cent in the latter. 



The effects of different methods of thinning on the yields of roots with large 

 and with small tops were studied in a number of trials during a series of 

 years, and the results are presented and discussed. 



Cooperative tests with soy beans in 1912, C. G. Williams and F. A. Welton 

 {Ohio Sta. Circ. 132, pp. J/l-Sl). — This circular gives the results of tests and 

 trials by 32 cooperators in 21 counties. Yields from acre trials ranged from 

 8 to 28 bu. of seed per acre, and in variety plat tests as high as 50 bu. per 

 acre was reached. The dates of planting ranged from May 20 to June 21, and 

 some of the largest yields were obtained from about the middle of June plant- 

 ings. The amount of seed varied from 2 to 8 pk. per acre, the maximum yield 

 being secured from about 3 pk. of seed. Tables give some of the data obtained 

 in the tests and trials. 



Sugar beet culture in Eng'land, A. Halstead (Daily Cons, and Trade Rpts. 

 [U. S.], 16 {1913), No. 87, p. 267).— This article reports a heavier total yield of 

 sugar beets and larger quantities of sugar per acre in Cornwall for a series of 

 years than in other parts of England or on the Continent. These estimates 

 were based upon results of cooperative experiments with about 300 farmers, 

 and on areas ranging from i to over 5 acres each. 



Sugar beet investigation in the Cape Province, C. F. Juritz {Agr. Jour. 

 Union So. Africa, 3 {1912), No. 6, pp. 767-777, fig. i).— This article discusses 

 the sugar beet investigations begun in 1S97, and gives mechanical and chemical 

 analyses of 2 classes of soil upon which beets were grown, and measurements 

 of beets and analyses. The sugar content ranged from 6.33 to 17.57 per cent, 

 depending upon size and location. 



The world's cane-sugar industry, past and present, H. C. Prinsen Geer- 

 LiGS {AUringham, England, 1912, pp. XVI +399, pis. 20, figs. 7).— In this book 

 the author has endeavored to bring together in a coherent survey the past, 

 present, and probable future of the sugar-cane industry in the different coun- 

 tries of production. As among the most conspicuous causes which have con- 

 tributed to giving this industry new vitality are mentioned the Brussels Con- 



