538 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Wheat investigations, A. Howabd (Rpt. Agr. Research Inst, and Col. Pusa 

 [India^, 1911-12, pp. 31-1/6). — This report includes results of trials of Pusa 

 wheat in various parts of India, with tabulated data, and discusses seed dis- 

 tribution, cultivation experiments, and wheat breeding. The wheat yields 

 varied from 645 lbs. per acre to 2,510 lbs. Methods of cultivation, curing, and 

 breeding tobacco, and experiments with gram (chick pea) and various fibers 

 are also discussed. 



Tillering as a factor in determining the desirable qualities of winter wheats, 

 A. E. Grantham {Proc. Amer. Soc. Agron., Jf {1912), pp. 15-81, fig. 1). — In 

 studying the relation of tillering to other characters of the wheat plant, the 

 author here reports some results of cultural experiments in which wheat plants 

 were grown on soils of different degrees of fertility and so placed as to allow 

 of the free expression of the tillering character. Comparisons of observations 

 recorded of the characteristics of these plants showed that tillering is appar- 

 ently a varietal characteristic. 



" With tillering there seems to be associated vigor and a capacity on the part 

 of the plant for better development under unfavorable conditions. . . . An in- 

 crease in the number of tillers per plant within a variety, as well as among 

 varieties, is accompanied by higher yield per spike." 



Determination of germination energy of seeds according to the average 

 time required for germinatiTig, G. D'Ippolito (Staz. Sper. Agr. Ital., If5 (1912), 

 No. 4, pp. 302-S20; abs. m Internat. Inst. Agr. [Rome], Bui. Bur. Agr. Intel, and 

 Plant Diseases, 3 {1912), No. 7, pp. 1535-1539). — This paper discusses the 

 methods usually employed and the unsatisfactory results obtained thereby, be- 

 cause high germination capacity may be accompanied by low germinating 

 energy. The author proposes that germination energy be determined not only 

 on the basis of the percentage of seeds which sprout within a determined time, 

 but also on the mean time required for germination, as calculated by a method 

 which he describes. 



Results of this method applied to germinating tests of seeds of white, red, 

 and crimson clover, alfalfa, sainfoin, sulla, bird"s-foot trefoil, fenugreek, vetches, 

 maize, rye grass, wheat, oats, rice, hemp, and beets are reported. 



Studies of the wild oat, W. M. Atwood {Abs. in Science, n. ser., 37 {1913), 

 No. 949, p. 3S0). — In studying the germinating qualities of Avena fatua it was 

 found to possess high vitality. It germinated poorly after harvest, but the 

 percentage of germination increased steadily up to the succeeding spring and 

 summer. The early delay in germination appeared to be due neither to the 

 chemical condition of the embryo nor to coat obstructions to water entry, but 

 rather to the supply of oxygen. 



Controlling Canada thistles, H. R. Cox {TJ. S. Dept. Agr., Farmers' Bui. 

 545, pp. 14, figs. 6). — Aside from giving the range, description, and methods of 

 distribution, the author describes the successful experience of an Ohio farmer 

 with methods of eradicating the weed which consist essentially in keepiag the 

 tops cut at or below the ground. 



EOETICTJLTTTRE. 



Respiration of fruits and growing plant tissues in certain gases, with 

 reference to ventilation and fruit storage, G. R. Hill, Jr. (New York Cornell 

 Sta. Bui. 330, pp. 377-408). — In this bulletin the author briefly reviews some of 

 the literature of the important phases of anaerobic respiration, together with 

 some current theories offered in explanation of it and of its relation to aerobic 

 respiration. Experimental studies of the production of carbon dioxid in hydro- 

 gen, in nitrogen, and in air by ripe cherries, blackberries, green i)eaches, ripe 



