FIELD CROPS. 531 



In general the increase in yield over the check plats gradually became 

 smaller with each year after the first, which gave the largest yields and the 

 greatest profits. The barnyard manure showed the greatest profit, but by the 

 fifth year seemed to be exhausted. The final results of the 5 years showed 

 the greatest increase in profits from the barnyard manure, followed by kainit, 

 then by the combined application of Thomas meal and kainit, and the least 

 by the combination of Thomas slag, potassium sulphate, calcium sulphate, and 

 straw ashes. Due to the high price of the other fertilizers and the low price 

 of hay, the author states that the remainder of the applications were made at 

 a loss. 



Experiments to determine the influence of the height of the ground water 

 table on the yield of grass and hay, O. Pitsch {Meded. Rijks Hoogere Land. 

 Tuin en Boschbouwsch. [Wagcningcn'], 6 (1913), No. 1, pp. 1-39, fig. i).— This 

 experiment was conducted with large galvanized cans sunk into the ground 

 and the water table maintained at approximately 40, 60, and 80 cm. in the 

 grass crop and 40, 50, and 70 cm. in the hay-crop experiments. Tabulated 

 results are given for 1909. 1910, and 1911. 



The most noteworthy results were obtained during the last 2 years. In 1910 

 the grass pots yielded 717.2 gm., 780.6 gm., and 845 gm., respectively, of dry 

 matter and 380.43 gm., 442.45 gm., and 454.45 gm., respectively, in starch ^alue. 

 The hay yields for the same year were 1,508 gm., 1,137, and 1,245 gm.. respec- 

 tively, of dry matter and 276.17, 307.91, and 335.46 gm., respectively, in starch 

 value. In 1911 the pots yielded 613.5 gm., 540.5, and 530 gm., respectively, 

 of dry matter, and 325.45 gm., 2S3..33 gm., and 276.43 gm., respectively, in starch 

 value, while the hay yields were 752 gm., 778, and 614 gm., respectively, of 

 dry matter, and 225.87, 206.21, and 153.73 gm., respectively, in starch value. 



Experiments on the culture and selection of some marsh crops made in 

 1908-9, M. J. B. Geze (Ann. Dir. Eydraul. et Am6lior. Agr., Min. Agr. [France'l. 

 1909, No. J/O, pp. 17-27, pi. 1). — In pot experiments it was the author's aim 

 (1) to determine distinctive characteristics and cultural requirements of 

 numerous varieties of Typha ; (2) to compare economic and cultural char- 

 acteristics of each species arising from different local conditions; and (3) to 

 investigate the influence of the nature of the soil and fertilizer applications 

 on the same crops. 



On the basis of the 2 years' work with pot cultures, it is noted that the rich- 

 ness of the soil in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash plays an important part in 

 the development of the Cyperacese and Typha. The influence of the mechanical 

 composition of the soil is almost nothing in comparison to that of the mineral 

 application. The application of sulphate of ammonia, superphosphate of lime, 

 and sulphate of potash distinctly favored the development and improvement 

 of the market qualities of these plants. Nitrogen apparently greatly reduced the 

 number, length, and width of the leaves, also the average weight of each, and 

 therefore the value and weight of the entire crop. Acid phosphate increased 

 the weight, length, and number of shoots and especially their size. The action 

 of potash was less conspicuous. In field experiments on marsh lands, sulphate 

 of ammonia gave even better results than in pot experiments. The addition 

 of potash and phosphorus favored the development of the species other than 

 Carex. 



Grazing investigations, G. A. Pearson (U. 8. Dept. Agr., Rev. Forest Serv. 

 Investigations, 2 {1913), pp. 9-13). — The results of trials of Kentucky blue 

 grass, orchard grass, bronie grass, redtop, Italian rye grass, timothy, and 

 alfalfa sown in open park areas, forests, fields, and pastures to improve the 

 range conditions showed all of these species to be failures when sown with no 

 other preparation than harrowing. It is noted that timothy, alfalfa, and brome 



