FIELD CHOPS. 339 



Careful anrl full data were kept of selections along pure lines resulting in 

 pedigreed varieties grown in various parts of Java. The largest j-ield men- 

 tioned as attained was 6,G11 kg. per hectare (5,884 lbs. per acre). Cross 

 breeding is also mentioned as giving satisfactory results, especially with the 

 first generation of hybrids. 



The principles of paddy manuring, W. II. Harrison (Jour. Bd. Agr. Brit, 

 diiiana, 6 {1912), Nos. 1, pp. 37-40; 2, pp. 7jr-77).— From results of manurial 

 tests with rice the following principles are laid down: 



" Paddy soils need nianuring with bulky organic manures which readily de- 

 compose under anaerobic conditions yielding humus. Nitrates are unsuited 

 for the purpose, whereas ammoniacal manures or manures which yield 

 ammonia under anaerobic conditions of fermentation are of great value. 

 Nitrogen and phosphoric acid must be applied to all paddy soils, whereas 

 potash should only be applied when the soil is in particular need of that 

 ingredient." 



The crops mentioned as used for green manures are Seshania aculeata, 

 Crotalaria juncca, TcpJirosia purpurea, and Phaseolus mungo. Two methods 

 of green manuring were employed, viz, turning under a green crop, and incor- 

 porating with the soil green leaves cut and brought from other areas. The 

 latter is mentioned as being most efficient, as phosphorus is also added to the 

 soil, while with a plowed-under crop phosphorus was added in the form of 

 superphosphate. After the addition of green leaves as a fertilizer 4,490 lbs. 

 of paddy and 5,811 lbs. of straw were obtained per acre, after green manure 

 4,200 lbs. paddy and 4,400 lbs. straw, and 3,392 lbs. paddy and 3,124 lbs. straw 

 with no treatment. In another experiment an addition of 112 lbs. of super- 

 phosphate to green manure apparently increased the yield from 2,814 lbs. 

 paddy and 2.691 lbs. straw, to 3,733 lbs. paddy and 4,043 lbs. straw per acre. 



A study of the colors of the grain in rye, von Kuemkeb (77. Conf. Internat. 

 Gen^tiquG Paris, Compt. Rend, ct Raps., 1911, pp. 332-335). — " Selection accord- 

 ing to the color of the grain, the yield, and the hardiness, has been continued 

 for 12 years, and the following facts have been established: In order to 

 obtain pure races as regards grain color, selection should be continued for 

 7 or 8 years. The phenomenon of xenia occurs, as in maize. The color of 

 the grain is a constant character. This color is produced by a pigment in the 

 aleurone layer, next the epidermis. Those races (greenish-blue and yellow) 

 which have hitherto been in commerce are satisfactory both for milling and 

 baking. The different colors of the grain are correlated with other physiolog- 

 ical and morphological characters ; for instance, the greenish color appears 

 to be connected with an increased tillering capacity and a shorter straw than 

 the yellow colors. The great difficulty in maintaining the purity of a variety 

 of rye, on account of the danger of cross-fertilization, is increased in direct 

 proportion to the size of the neighboring plats of rye. 



" The author believes that the possession of races pure as regards color 

 supplies a criterion by which the occurrence of crossing will at once be visible 

 in the grain, and that this will be a material aid in maintaining the purity of 

 varieties of rye." 



Soy beans, E. H. Jenkins (Connecticut State Sta. Bnl. 179, pp. 3-13, figs. J,).— 

 This bulletin briefly describes the soy-bean plant, its composition and yield as 

 compared with some other crops, and its uses as silage, hay, green manure, 

 seed, and hog pasture under Connecticut conditions. 



It is noted that the best method of inoculation has been with 500 lbs. of soil 

 per acre from a field where the crop has grown well. For seed production rows 

 drilled 24 to 36 in. apart with seeds 2 to 4 in. apart in the row and for grow- 

 ing forage 1^ bu. seed per acre sowed with a grain drill is advised. 

 32052°— No. 4—14 4 



