88 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.41 



growing the crop In tbe northern part of the State are indicated from observa- 

 tions at the station and elsewhere, and the comparative yields of different varie- 

 ties and results of cultural tests are reported. It is stated that 24,722 acres 

 were devoted to field pea production in 1918, an increase of 15.5 per cent over 

 the 1917 crop. About 50 per cent of the crop was grown in two northern 

 counties in place of the summer fallow. 



Blue Prussian has given the highest returns in market value and White 

 Canada the highest yield per acre. Inoculation was found to be essential. 

 Wheat following peas is said to yield equally as well as that after summer 

 fallow. Important insect pests of the crop are briefly described. 



Position in the pod and productiveness; seed weight and abortiveness: 

 Peanuts, O. C. ScHtn-Tz {New Jersey Stas. Rpt. 1917, pp. J,0 1-404) .—Further 

 observations with peanuts (E. S. R., 39, p. 739) on the effect of the position 

 of the seed in the pod upon the type of pod produced, the average weight of 

 seeds for different positions in the pod, and the amount of abortiveness for 

 each type of pod are briefly described. 



The results are held to suggest that seeds from 1-seeded pods may yield 

 the largest number of pods and those from 4-seeded pods the smallest crop. 

 Seeds from 1-seeded pods also produced the largest percentage of 1-seeded 

 pods, this percentage decreasing as the number of seeds in the parent pods 

 increased, Indicating a possible inheritance of pod type. The seeds of 1-ovuled 

 pods were the heaviest, while the basal halves of all other pods contained 

 heavier seeds than the upper halves. The seeds of the 4-ovuled pods were on 

 the average the lightest, the number of 5-ovuled pods being too few for con- 

 sideration. All basal seeds averaged much heavier than the tip seeds. 



Abortiveness was lowest in the 1-ovuled pods, 11.61 per cent, and highest 

 at the base of all other pods, the percentage increasing from 36.95 for the 

 2-ovuled pods to 60 per cent in the 5-ovuled pods. There was a positive corre- 

 lation between the size of the seeds and the amount of abortiveness, the basal 

 position in all pods yielding the larger seeds and the greater amount of 

 abortiveness, both of these results depending upon the position of the ovules. 



[Work with potatoes at the Sitka Station], C. C Geop.geson (Alaska Stns. 

 Rpt. 1917, pp. 6-8). — This describes the progress of variety tests with potatoes 

 and efforts to develop new sorts from seed, as previously noted (E. S. R., 39, p. 

 137). It is stated that by selecting early varieties, sprouting the seed potatoes 

 in the light before planting, and planting on elevated ground, preferably with a 

 southern slope, excellent crops of good quality potatoes can always be secured 

 in Alaska, even north of the Arctic Circle. 



An improved method of potato seed treatment, I. E. Melhus and J. C. 

 Oilman {Iowa Sta. Circ. 57 {1919), pp. S, figs. 10). — A modification of the form- 

 aldehyde treatment for seed potatoes is described whereby the tubers are im- 

 mersed for 2 minutes In a solution of 2 pints of formaldehyde to 30 gal. of 

 water maintained at a temperature of from 118 to 122° F. The hot solution is 

 said to have had no deleterious effect upon germination, as indicated by field 

 tests made during the past 3 years. 



Control of weeds in rice fields, H. H, Laude {Texas Sta. Bui. 239 {1918), 

 pp. 5-11, figs. 2). — Tests conducted at the Beaumont substation from 1914 to 

 1917, inclusive, have led to the conclusion that planting rice in rows and culti- 

 vating the crop before irrigating will effectively control the weeds, increase 

 yields, result in cleaner land with each succeeding crop, and lengthen the period 

 of profitable rice production. It is also recommended that narrow, steep levees 

 be replaced by broad, sloping ones, and that only pure seed be employed for 

 planting purposes. 



