1919] FIELD CROPS. 335 



Silage from legumes, while superior in protein content, is somewhat inferior 

 to corn silage in total digestible nutrients. With a proper amount of dry 

 matter present, the loss of feeding value while in the silo was found to be no 

 greater with legume silage than with corn silage. 



Sudan grass was preserved readily in the silo with no special attention 

 necessary to the amount of dry matter, its feeding value ranging from two- 

 thirds to three- fourths that of good corn silage, depending upon the maturity 

 of the crop when put into the silo. Wheat supplied a silage of reasonably good 

 quality, having a feeding value approximately that of corn silage. It is stated 

 that wheat should be put into the silo when the grain is in the dough stage, 

 no special precautions being deemed necessary to insure proper preservation. 

 Rye was preserved readily in the silo, but the resulting silage was not pala- 

 table. For best results rye should be put into the silo in the blossoming stage 

 or earlier. 



Frost injury to grain and legumes, H. Fischer {Zentbl. Agr. Chem., Jfl 

 {1918), No. 7, pp. 212, 213). — Observations on the effect of low temperatures on 

 rye, oats, peas, and beans are noted, the author concluding that the death of 

 the plant cell due to cold may be attributed to an irreversible mixture of the 

 colloidal substance of the cell. The dark green color of the leaves accompany- 

 ing frost injury was observed to occur with temperatures ranging from — 4 

 to —6° C. (24.8 and 21.2° F. and to be complete at from —8 to —10°. The stems 

 of the cereals showed some injury upon exposure to temperatures of from 

 — 4 to — 6° and were frequently split with temperatures of from — 8 to — 12°, 

 resulting in their subsequent collapse. 



With temperatures of — 8° or less, frosted spikes which were about to blossom 

 showed marked injury, while spikes still remaining in the sheath were only 

 slightly injured with temperatures of from — 10 to — 12°. Rye pollen from 

 spikes cooled 12 hours at — 8° still exhibited a few grains capable of germina- 

 tion, while exposure for 4 hours at — 10° resulted in complete loss of vitality. 

 Free pollen exposed to a temperature of — 4° for 5 hours was entirely killed. 

 The extruded stigmas of the rye blossoms were rendered unfruitful at — 2°. 



Ligowo oats showed the least injury from freezing of the four varieties 

 studied. Although varying widely with different sorts, it is stated that in 

 general the greater the fi'ost injury the more vigorous was the development of 

 new shoots. 



Soil inoculation for legumes, W. A. Albrecht (Missouri Sta. Circ. 86 

 (1919), pp. 15, figs. 6). — This comprises a popular discussion of the nature, pur- 

 pose, and value of legume inoculation, together with brief descriptions of the 

 soil and pure culture methods. 



The improvement of the barley crop, H. Hunter (Dept. Agr. and Tech. 

 Instr. Ireland Jour., 19 (1919), No. 2, pp. 139-159, pis. 10, figs. 2).— The improve- 

 ment of the crop in Ireland through pure-line selection and hybridization is 

 descriljed and some of the results secured indicated. 



Late planted variety tests of corn, B. F. Cauthen (Alabama Col. Sta. Circ. 

 Ill (1919), pp. 4). — Limited var^'-^ty tests with corn, following a winter grain 

 crop on sandy upland soil arr neld to indicate that certain varieties are better 

 for early planting than for late planting. Station Yellow, Dwarf Mexican 

 June, and Goliad are said to give good results viith late planting, while large 

 one-ear types, such as Henry Grady and Calhoun Red Cob, are regarded as 

 unpromising. It is stated that the planting may be deferred until the latter 

 part of June, although earlier planting is deemed advisable. 



Local fertilizer experiments with cotton in south Alabama, 1914—1918, 

 inclusive, J. T. Williamson and J. F. Duggar (Alabama Col. Sta. Bui. 207 

 (1918), pp. 153-2JfO).— This bulletin reports the results of 44 coaclusive fer- 



