822 EXPEEIMEXT STATION KECOED. 



and pea trials which were dressed with radio-active ore showed considerable 

 superiority over those grown in plain soil, but the cost of the ore far outweighed 

 the worth of the la-ger crop. . . . 



" No material difference in results was apparent between the trials with ore 

 incorporated with the soil and those with ore placed at the bottom of the 

 boxes or pots. The quantity and degree of radio-active material to insure the 

 best return can not be definitely stated, but it would appear that a light dressing 

 is likely to give as good results as a larger amount. In the trials with rape 

 seed, the influence of the radio-active material in accelerating germination was 

 most consistent in all the tests, but it was evident that a very small quantity 

 of low-grade residue proved as effective as a considerable amount of ore con- 

 taining a much larger proportion of radium." 



In the laboratory germination tests " there is no indication that better results 

 are obtainable with ore possessing considerable radio-activity than with residue 

 of low value, nor have these trials generally proved superior to the ' controls.' " 



The influence of radio-active earth, on plant growth and crop production, 

 H. H. KvsBY (Radium, 4 {1915), Nos. 4, pp. 68-74, 5, pp. i)4-104).—The sub- 

 stance of. this article has been previously noted from another source (E. S. R., 

 33, p. 123). 



Some chemical aspects of the peat problem, G. T. Morgan {Dcpt. Agr. and 

 Tech. Imtr. Ireland Jour., 16 (I'Jl.j), Xo. 1, pp. 39-46, pis. 4).— This article 

 deals with the products of the peat industry, referring in particular to the 

 production of ammonium sulphate and peat ash as fertilizers. 



Conunercial fertilizers, H. E. Curtis and W. Rodes (Kentucky Sta. Bui. 196 

 (1915), pp. 239-371). — This bulletin contains the results of analyses and esti- 

 mated valuations of 734 samples of fertilizers and fertilizing materials offered 

 for sale in Kentucky during 191.5. 



" The results of these analyses .sliow that in most cases the samples analyzed 

 have come fully up to the guaranty, or where there is a slight deficiency in one 

 ingredient, it has been made up by an excess in one or botli of the other 

 ingredients. In a few instances, the deficiency in one ingredient, while fully 

 made up by an excess of the other Ingredients, is still too large to be considered 

 acceptable." 



AGRICULTURAL BOTANY. 



Experimental studies in the physiology of heredity. F. F. Blackman et al. 

 (Abs. in Rpt. Brit. Assoc. Adv. t<ci., 84 (1914), pp. J45-247 ) .—This is a report 

 on work being conducted by Edith R. Saunders, R. P. Gregory, and Miss A. 

 Gairdner. 



In the study of half-hoariness in stocks and its relations to the glabrous and 

 lioary forms a new half-hoary race has been obtainetl, which is being employed 

 in a new series of experiments. Progress is reported in the further study of 

 gametic coupling. 



It has been found that the double-flowered plants, at least in some strains, 

 make a more rapid and vigorous growth than the singles. 



A beginning has been made in the work of obtaining a complete series of 

 types of known factorial constitution for use in further study of the inter- 

 relations between the factors determining hoariness and sap color. 



Experiments investigating the cytologj' and genetics of certain giant races 

 of Primula sinensis found to be in tetraploid condition have given results which 

 are summarized in the statement that retluplication of the chromosomes is 

 accompanied by a reduplication of the .series of factors. 



The investigations of Gregory on inheritance of green, variegated, and yel- 

 low leaves in Primula have been noted previously (E. S. R., 34, p. 226). 



