1919] FIKLD CROPS. 82 



formation is also given relative to legislative measures adopted in various 

 countries coucernins the production, trade, and consumption of cereals. 



[Fiber plants of Brazil], M. P, Cobr6a (Fibras Texteis e Cellulose. Rio dc 

 Janeiro: Min. Agr., Indus, e Com., 1U19, pp. XV+276, pis. 31, fiys. 57).— This 

 comprises a detailed account of textile tibers and of paper-making materials 

 found in Brazil. 



The agaves, A. Bekgeb {Die Ayaven. Jena: G. Fischer, 1915, pp. V1I+28S, 

 figs. 81). — This comprises a monograpli on the agaves. Three subgenera, Man- 

 freda, Littsea, and Euagave, are recognized, and 274 species described. A brief 

 note on the cultivation of agaves is included. 



Australian saltbush, R. McKee {U. S. Dept. Agr. Bui. 617 {1910), pp. 12, figs. 

 Jf). — This comprises an account of the distribution, climatic and soil require- 

 ments, drimght resistance, diseases, seeding, harvesting, and utilization of Aus- 

 tralian saltbush {Atriplex seniibaccata) , said to have been introduced into the 

 semiarid regions of the United States about 25 years ago. 



Plantings failed in practically all cases except along the coast and in the 

 San Joaquin and Imperial Valleys of California, and in the Salt River, Yuma, 

 and Santa Cruz Valleys of Arizona. The plant was found to be tolerant of 

 alkali and quite drought resistant, although not to the same extent as other 

 species of Atriplex and other desert plants. While not so palatable as most 

 forages, the crop is said to be readily eaten by sheep, goats, cattle, and horses 

 when other feeds are scarce, having its gi-eatest value as a succulent feed in 

 late summer. It is also regai'ded as a suitable soiling crop, but of little value 

 for hay. 



The cultivation of barley in Chile, R. Opazo G. {Cartilla Practica sobre 

 Cultivo de la Cebada en Chile. Santiago de Chile: Serv. Agron. Rejion. i En- 

 senailza Agr. Ambulante, 1918, pp. 3,3, figs. 11). — Cultural methods and field 

 practices employed in growing the crop are described. 



The barley of Tripoli, E. De Ciixis {Agr. Colon. [Italy], IS {1919), No. 8, pp. 

 259-273. figs. 3). — Racial and cultural characteristics of Trinolitan barley are 

 described. 



Buckwheat, C. E. Leighty {U. S. Dept. Agr., Farmers' Bid. 1062 {1919), pp. 

 24' flos- 6). — This publication comprises a discussion of the soil and climatic 

 adaptations of the crop and the field practices and cultural methods employed 

 in its production. The utilization of buckwheat is also described. 



Selection of pseudo-starchy endosperm in maize, D. P. Jones {Genetics, 4 

 {1919), No, 4, PP- 364-393, 2>?s. 8, fig. 1). — The appearance of amylaceous seeds 

 in an extracted recessive progeny from a cross of starchy and sweet varieties 

 of maize is held to indicate that an imperfect segregation or contamination of 

 the two allelomorphs may have occurred, and led to selection experiments at 

 the Connecticut State Experiment Station iu an effort to recover both parental 

 types. 



Apparently pure sweet and pure starchy strains were obtained after five 

 generations of selection in self-fertilized lines, which remained constant during 

 four or five additional generations of self-fertilization and selection. The sweet- 

 and starchy-appearing selections behaved alike when crossed with ordinary 

 starchy maize, segregating into starchy and sweet seeds in the F2 in the ratio 

 of 3:1. An examination of the starch grains of the two selections showed 

 them to be quite similar and to lack full development as compared with starchy 

 varieties. In chemical composition the starchy selection was found to be more 

 like other starchy types, particularly in soluble and insoluble carbohydrates. 

 Because of its behavior in inheritance, the nature of its starch grains, and the 

 qualities of the seed, however, this starchy-appearing form of endosperm has 



