FIELD CROPS. 529 



resulted in larger yields than when the beans were treated for three hours. 

 A treatment of the more delicate varieties with a 0.5 per cent solution of iron 

 sulphate for five hours was more satisfactory than the other methods tried. 



Corn, M. L. Bowman {Waterloo, loiva: Waterloo Publishmg Co., 1915, pp. 

 y/+475+XX, pis. 11, figs. 199). — This is a completely revised edition of the 

 boolv by the author and B. W. Crossley, previously noted (E. S. R., 21, p. 134). 



Tui'ther evidence of the immediate effect of crossing varieties of corn on 

 the size of seed produced, T. K. Wolfe {Jour. Amer. Soc. Agron., 7 {1915), 

 No. 6, pp. 265-272). — This gives the results of weighings of kernels of crosses 

 made between eight varieties of corn, five of which were white dents and 

 three yellow dents. The factors of dominance of yellow color and of xenia 

 were used to identify the pure-bred from the hybrid seeds on the same ear. 

 Mixed pollen was used in each case. 



" The beneficial effect due to crossing varieties in corn frequently appears in 

 the current crop as well as in the first generation, being manifested in the 

 increased weight of the hybrid seeds. In the crosses obtained, 56.8 per cent 

 produced profitable increases in yield (weight of kernels) and in 13.5 per cent 

 the increase was slight. In 24.3 per cent of the crosses the decrease was 

 marked and in 5.4 per cent it was slight. The largest increase was 16.04 per 

 cent and the greatest decrease 13.45 per cent. ... 



" The increases and decreases are not confined to any certain varieties. How- 

 ever, Gold Standard and Collier Excelsior gave decreased kernel weights in 

 a larger number of cros.ses than any of the other varieties used. All the crosses 

 were made between distinct varieties and not between strains of the same 

 variety. In a previous experiment [at the Virginia Station (E. S. R., 29, p. 533) ] 

 larger increases in yield were obtained in the latter case than in this experi- 

 ment." 



Farm practice in the cultivation of com, H. R. Gates {U. S. Dept. Agr. 

 Bui. 320 {1916), pp. 66, figs. 40). — This piiblication reports an extensive study 

 of cultural practice with corn, in line with that previously noted (E. S. R., 28, 

 p. 233). It gives the results of surveys of 21 regions in the corn belt, each 

 repre.senting about 25 farms, with a view to determining the causes of existing 

 differences in practice. A record was taken from each farmer visited, showing 

 in detail his tillage practices with corn and also the general practices and con- 

 ditions on his farm. These conditions are discussed and data given in tabular 

 form, but " no attempt has been made to make recommendations based on the 

 results of these studies." 



Growing- com in Kansas, C. 0. Cunningham {Kansas Sta. Bui. 205 {1915), 

 pp. 7-46, figs. 10). — This bulletin gives information based in part on experi- 

 Imental data and in part on the practices of farmers in different sections of the 

 State. The subjects discussed include rotations for corn, varieties, cultural 

 methods, and behavior of corn in storage. A chapter on insects injurious to 

 corn, by J. W. IVIcColloch, is included. 



Fertilizer experiments with corn, L. E. M. Vakgas (Estac. Agr. Cent. [Mex- 

 ico] Circ. 49 {1914), pp. 8, pis. 3). — Fertilizer experiments carried out in the 

 federal district of Mexico showed that the application of a complete fertilizer, 

 Including lime, gave the largest yields per unit area, but that lime, potash, and 

 phosphoric acid without the nitrogen gave the largest net returns. 



Community production of Egjrptian cotton in the United States, C. S. 

 ScoFiELD, T. H. Kearney, C. J. Brand, O. P. Cook, and W. T. Swingle {U. S. 

 Dept. Agr. Bui. 332 {1916), pp. 30).— This bulletin tells how Egyptian cotton 

 production became established in the Southwest as a result of community 

 action, describes the present status of the industry, and gives the reasons for 



