FIELD CROPS. 829 



It was observed that the rate of loss of moisture after cutting differed in 

 different v'arieties of the same crop as well as in different crops. Arabian 

 alfalfa lost moisture faster than Peruvian or ordinary alfalfa in the first one 

 or two hours after cutting, but the total percentage of moisture was about the 

 same in the three varieties. A high percentage of leaf surface in alfalfa was 

 correlated with a rapid loss of moisture immediately after cutting, but it did 

 not indicate a high moisture content. 



Studies of the shrinkage in hay after storing and variation of moisture 

 content due to changes in atmospheric humidity showed that at Chico, Cal., 

 baled oat hay in 1914 lost 8.1 per cent in weight betwecMi June 1 and August 31, 

 and gained 5.9 per cent of the original weight from August 31, 1914, to Feb- 

 ruary 25, 1915. The results at this point indicated that even baled hay re- 

 sponds noticeably to changes in atmospheric humidity. Results secured at 

 New London, Ohio, with loose timothy indicate a shrinkage of 8.6 per cent 

 in one lot and 15.6 per cent in another lot when the hay was stored in a barn 

 for about three months. The effect of a week of rainy weather was indicated 

 by an increase of weight In the loose hay, 



A method of correcting for soil heterogeneity in variety tests, F. M. Sub- 

 face and R. Pearl (U, 8. Dept. Agr., Jour. Agr. Research, 5 {1916), No. 22, 

 pp. 1039-1049, figs. ^). — This article, from the Maine Experiment Station, pro- 

 poses a method for use in correcting for differences in the soil of different 

 plats, when the plats are arranged In a certain definite way. 



The method involves in the first place the determination of the probable 

 yield by the contingency method. This calculated yield is taken as repre- 

 senting the most probable yield of each plat on the supposition that they have 

 all been planted with a hypothetical variety whose mean yield is the same 

 as the observed means of the field. This calculated yield is used as a basis 

 for determining a correction factor. If the calculated yield of a given plat 

 is above the mean of the field, it is regarded that the soil of this plat is 

 better than the average of the field and a corresponding amount is deducted 

 from the observed yield. If the calculated yield is below the average, a pro- 

 portional amount is added to the observed yield in order to make the plats 

 comparable. The results are considered still more comparable if the correction 

 factors are based upon the percentage of the mean rather than upon the 

 absolute figures. An application of the method upon experimental plats led 

 to results which are believed to represent the truth more nearly than do un- 

 corrected yields. 



Colonial plants. — Textile plants, H. Jumelle (Les Cultures Coloniales.— 

 Plantes Textiles. Paris: J. B. Baillidre d Son, 1915, vol. 6, 2. ed., en-l., pp. 118, 

 figs. S3). — This is part 6 of the second revised edition of the author's work 

 (E. S. R., 33, p. 437), treating of kapok, cotton, coconut fiber, New Zealand 

 hemp, Sansevieria, abacS,, sisal hemp, agave, ramie, jute, hibiscus, and sann. 



The curing' of blue-grass seeds as affecting their viability, H. Gakman 

 and E. C. Vaughn {Kentucky Sta. Bui. 198 {1916), pp. 27-39, i)ls. 5).— Germina- 

 tion tests of blue-grass seeds subjected to different temperatures in the process 

 of curing showed that seeds allowed to heat to 140° F. even for a short time 

 are worthless, and that the seeds should never be permitted to heat above 122° 

 F., as prolonged heating even at this temperature reduces the percentage of 

 germination. 



To show the influence of handling on the quality of the seeds, the following 

 averages are given of germination percentages taken from records made in 1915 ; 

 12 tests of samples taken from bags at warehouses averaged 33.25 per cent; 

 18 samples from ricks at warehouses averaged 57.44 per cent; 12 samples from 

 ricks in barns averaged 56.2 per cent; 10 samples from ricks out-of-doors 



