434 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOED. 



eties varies widely. The most outstanding varieties whose yields throughout 

 the tests have remained uniformly good are White Australian, Martens "White 

 Dent, and U. S. Selection 133. 



The production of a new variety of giant sugar com, E. Heckel (Compt. 

 Rend. Acad. Ayr. France, 1 {1915), No. 17, pp. 551-55.'f). — It is noted that during 

 four .successive years the sugar content of a giant Serbian variety of sweet corn 

 was greatly increased by the removal of the tassel during August. In 191.5 the 

 total amount of sugar (saccharo.se and glucose) 20. 24, 26, and 28 days after 

 emasculation is given as 9.3.5, 13.57, 11.6, and 9.6 per cent, respectively, as 

 against 7.25, 6.6. 7.75, and 6.35 per cent f<ir plants not emasculated. 



[Fertilizer, varietal, and cultural experiments with, com on sandy loam 

 soils], B. W. KiLGORE, C. B, Williams, and R. W. Scott, Jk. {Bvl. N. C. Dept. 

 Agr., 36 (1915), No. 5, pp. 5-52). — This is a report of work with corn on the 

 Edgecombe Test Farm during the period 1903-1909, inclusive, along the lines 

 of previous reports (E. S. R., 31, pp. 629. 630; 33. p. 36). 



The general summary of the results of this work indicates that in the pro- 

 duction of corn on this soil, when only two fertilizer constituents are used 

 nitrogen and phosphoric acid produce the largest net returns; that lime will 

 prove beneficial when rightly applied; that a 3:1.5:7 fertilizer at the rate of 

 300 lbs. per acre may be expected to give the most satisfactory returns; and 

 that there was practically no difference in the fertilizing value of dried blood 

 and nitrate of .soda. 



Community production of Durango cotton in the Imperial Valley, A. 

 McLachlan (U. <S'. Dcpt. A(/r. Jiul. 32Jf (1915), pp. io*).— This bulletin gives a 

 history of the industry in the Imperial Valley, Cal. ; di.scusses the progress due 

 to organized effort and the varieties grown, viz, the short-staple, Egyptian, and 

 long-staple Upland ; notes that stabilization — i. e., the continuous production of 

 a crop with a fixed high (piality ctf fiber — is the great problem now confronting 

 the cotton industry in the Imperial Valley ; and comments on the relation of the 

 grower, ginner, banker, and manufacturer to stabilization. 



Flax culture for seed in Argentina, C. D. Girola (El Cultivo del Lino para 

 la Prodnccion dc la Scmilla en la Argentina. Buenos Aires: Cahaut cC- Co., 1915, 

 pp. 19Jt, pis. 7, figs. 48). — This book discusses the origin and the climatic and 

 cultural requirements of flax grown for seed, and presents statistical data on 

 the production and distribution of flax seed by countries and its importance as 

 an article of commerce, particularly with reference to Argentina. Among the 

 subjects specially treated are the history of flax culture in Argentina and the 

 ai'eas devoted to the crop by provinces, varieties cultivated and the growth of 

 the plant in general, composition of the different parts of the flax plant, the 

 use of fertilizers and rotations, soils adapted to flax and their preparation, 

 seeding flax and taking care of the crop, plant and animal parasites, and the 

 various phases of harvesting and marketing. The yield and total production 

 of flax seed in the principal producing countries are compared, and data are 

 given on the cost of production in Argentina. In addition, the chemical, botani- 

 cal, and physical qualities of Argentina flax seed are reviewed, and the produc- 

 tion of linseed oil, the uses of the oil cake and other residues, and the utiliza- 

 tion of flax straw are described. 



The fiber industry of Mauritius, F. A. Stockdale (Dept. Agr. Mauritius, 

 Gen. Ser., Bui. 5 {1915), lEnglish Ed.] pp. 15, figs. 2).— This bulletin describes 

 the varieties of Furcrwa gigantea that are gi-own in Mauritius, the methods of 

 cultivation, and the manufacture of the fiber, and gives data as to thq cost of. 

 production. It is concluded that "fiber production might become an important 

 industry in the colony." 



