FIELD CROPS. 35 



Alfalfa on land not naturally adapted to that crop, J. F. Baekeb (New York 

 State Sta. Circ. 39 {1915), pp. 8, pis. 2). — This gives cultural methods to be 

 followed in the production of alfalfa on noncalcareous soils of New York State. 



Migration of reserve material to the seed in barley considered as a factor 

 of productivity, E. S. Beaven {Abs. in Rpt. Brit. Assoc. Adv. Sci., 1914, pp. 

 660, 661). — An abstract of a paper giving results of a study of the ratio of the 

 dry matter accumulated in the seed to the total dry matter of the plant when 

 fully ripe. It is noted that this ratio frequently influenced the production of 

 grain more than any other factor, and that it varies considerably between 

 different varieties of barley, and therefore becomes important in selection. 



On the anatomy of the fruit and leaves of Bromus varieties with special 

 reference to the native sorts, B. Szartortsz {Kis&rlet. Kozlem.. 18 {1915), 

 No. 3, pp. 555-589, figs. IS). — This gives results of a microscopical study of 

 many new varieties of Bromus. It is noted that the anatomy of the fruit shows 

 remarkably the relation of the varieties to one another, while that of the leaves 

 emphasizes still stronger the ecological relations. 



Home-grown seed com, R. C. Doneghue {North Dakota Sta. Circ. 8 {1915), 

 pp. 13, figs. 9). — This circular gives directions for selecting, curing, and testing 

 seed corn grown in North Dakota. 



Manuring of maize on Government Experiment Farm, Gwebi, A. G. Hol- 

 i^oEow {Rhodesia Agr. Jour., 12 {1915), No. 4, pp. 498-501). — This notes the 

 profitable use of a complete fertilizer consisting of 35 lbs. of nitrate of soda, 65 

 lbs. of double superphosphate, and 25 lbs. of sulphate of potash per acre on land 

 that had been in cultivation for two years and planted to corn. Scarcely any 

 increase in yield was obtained where double the iabove formula was used. 



Additional fertilizer experiments at Government Experiment Farm, Gwebi, 

 A. G. H0LI50R0W {Rhodesia Agr. Jour., 12 {1915), No. 4, pp. 502, 503).— This 

 article notes the superiority of basic slag over double superphosphate in the 

 production of corn in experiments at Gwebi. 



Manurial experiments with cotton at Stirling plantation {Rpt. Dept. Agr. 

 Barbados, 1913-14, pp. 15-21). — In fertilizer tests with cotton the best results 

 and a net profit of $4.41 were obtained by the use of 30 lbs. of nitrogen as sul- 

 phate of annuonia, 60 lbs. of P2O5, and 10 lbs. of K2O per acre. 



Linseed as a fiber plant in British East Africa, R. R. Dedonckele {Dept. 

 Agr. Nairobi {British East Africa], Bui. 1 {1914), pp. 9, pis. 3). — This describes 

 methods for the cultivation of flax and the production of the fiber as employed 

 by the natives. 



Queensland hemp: Its possibilities as an economic forage plant for the 

 Southern States, J. C. Robert {Mississippi Agr. Col. [Pub.}, 1915, Oct. 1, pp. 

 7, figs. 5). — The economic value of Queensland hemp {Sida rhombi folia) as a 

 forage plant is discussed. Analyses showed water 6.86 per cent, protein 14.63, 

 fat 3.73, nitrogen-free extract 28.8, fiber 38.73, and ash 7.25 per cent. Some of 

 the principal characteristics noted are its rapid and vigorous growth, good growth 

 in shade, long taproot, and drought resistance. 



First report on the improvement of indigo in Bihar, A. and G. L. C. Howard 

 {Agr. Research Inst. Pusa Bui. 51 {1915), pp. 1-20, pi. i).— This article de- 

 scribes the method of cultivation and improvement of indigo and gives results of 

 experiments in pollination, selection, and tillage which are summarized as 

 follows : 



" The so-called ' disease ' of Java indigo, which ends in the wilting of the 

 plant, is due to long-continued wetness of the soil. This wetness leads to the 

 destruction of the young feeding roots, which is followed by leaf-fall and then by 

 the more or less complete wilting of the plant. For a time this wilting can be 



