138 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.43 



The results indicated that winter oats may he grown successfully in Arkansas 

 wlien proper attention is f;iven to the selection of varieties and the different 

 cultural I'equirenients. The varieties recommended for the northern part and 

 the higher elevations of the west central part of the State are Turf and 

 Culberson, for the lower elevations of the west central part the red oats 

 varieties, and for tlie southern part Fulghum and the ordinary red oats 

 varieties, Appier, Hundred-bushel, Bancroft, Ferguson 71, and Cook. It is sug- 

 gested that Dwarf Culberson and other early maturing Culberson selections 

 may prove more satisfactory than the red oats varieties on account of their 

 greater winter resistance, and that the usual Turf strains are not adapted to 

 southern Arkansas because of late maturity and possible injuries from lieat 

 and rust. 



With regard to soil preparation the results indicated the importance of a. 

 firm seedbed in reducing the extent of winterkilling. It is stated that a^ 

 firm seedbed may be secured by plowing at least 6 in. deep from tbe latterj 

 part of July to the earlier part of September and double disking and har-i 

 rowing inmiediately after plowing. It was found that winter oats seeded with "i 

 an ordinary grain drill or with an open furrow drill are much less affected 

 by winter weather than when broadcasted. Early seeded as compared with 

 late seeded winter oats were observed to be less subject to winterkilling. 

 Seeding dates recommended for the different sections of the State are as 

 follows: Northeastern, September 10 to October 10; west central, September 

 20 to October 20; and southern, October 1 to November 1. The earlier dates 

 mentioned in each instance are considered preferable. Proper drainage and 

 good soil fertility were noted also as efficient factors in reducing winter injury 

 to the crop. 



For spring seeding the strains of early maturing red oats, such as Burt 

 and FulghuHi, are considered best. Early northern varieties, including Iowa 

 103, gave good results when grown for hay, but proved less certain for yield 

 or quality of grain. The importance of early seeding is dwelt upon, and the 

 dates of safe seeding for different parts of the State are given as follows: 

 Northeastern, February 25 to March 15 ; west central, February 15 to March | 

 1, and southern, February 1 to February 25. Seeding at the rate of 10 pk.,j 

 per acre, with a grain drill, or from 12 to 14 pk., when the seed is broadcasted, \ 

 is recommended. 



[Experiments with potatoes], C. O. Appleman et al. {Maryland Sta. Kpt. 

 1019, pp. XLVI-XLVII). — Several projects bearing on the behavior of potato 

 tubers in the ground during growth and after the death of the vines, on the , 

 quality and seed value of the tubers as influenced by storage conditions, and 

 on the production and growth of sprouts on potato tubers, are described, and 

 some of the more important results .re briefly reported. 



Earlier results in studying the effect of various storage conditions on the 

 qimlity and seed value of potatoes have been previously noted (E. S. K., 29, 

 p. 230; 34, p. 523). INIore recently it has been shown that the seed value of 

 potatoes is greatly reduced when the tubers are in cold storage for a long time 

 after they have emerged from their rest period. The poor keeping quality of 

 potatoes after a period of cold storage Avas found to be due lai'gely to very high 

 respiration in the tubers for a time after they came from cold storage, which 

 favors decay, especially when ventilation is inadequate, through the heat aii'l 

 moisture produced. It was found also that the degree of ventilation greatly 

 influences the chemical changes in stored tubers. 



Some of the data pertaining to the growth and production of sprouts on 

 potato tubers have been noted previously (E. S. 11., 39, p. 536). Later results 



