436 EXPERIMENT STATION RECOED. 



A droufflit-resisting adaptation in seedling's of Hopi maize, G. N. Collins 

 (C7. S. Dept. Agr., Jour. Agr. Research, 1 (1914), No. 4, pp. '293-302, pis. 4, 

 flgg^ 2), — This paper discusses the morphology of the maize seedling and 

 ascribes the value of the Hopi variety as a drought-resistant crop to the fact 

 of the elongation of the mesocotyl. 



In laboratory studies it was found that Navajo maize seedling appeared at 

 the surface when the seed was planted to a depth of 32 cm. (12.5 in.) or less, 

 Boone County White planted at the depth of 20 cm. or less, and Chinese maize 

 at 10 cm. or less. In the field it was found that the Indians in New Mexico 

 and Arizona had often planted to a depth of 25 cm. 



"A study of the varieties grown by the Hopis and other agricultural In- 

 dians shows that these varieties possess two special adaptations: (1) A greatly 

 elongated mesocotyl that permits deep planting, and (2) the development of a 

 single large radicle that rapidly descends to the moist subsoil and supplies 

 water during the critical seedling stage." 



A bibliography is appended. 



Influence of distance of planting on the yield and nutritive value of fodder 

 com, J. Weisee and A. Zaitschek (Kiserlet. Kozlem., 15 {1912), No. 4, pp. 

 543-617, fig. 1). — ^A thin stand yielded somewhat more protein and fat than 

 close planted corn. The digestibility seemed to be about the same in both cases. 

 In a wet season the close planted corn gave the higher yield, while in a dry 

 season the reverse was true. In a fermentation test the fodder from the thin 

 stand suffered greater loss than the thick stand product. Late cutting of the 

 thin stand caused greater difBculty in preparing the stubble for the next crop. 



The influence of K-P-N" on the growth and production of corn, T. N. Vibab 

 iPhilippine Agr. and Forester, 1 {1911), No. 10, pp. 175-187) .—The author 

 surveys earlier work in the United States on this subject and gives results 

 of his own investigations. Methods are given of soil preparation, cultivation, 

 and harvesting in regard to the 9 plats. The results showed the fertilizers to 

 rank in the following order: Kainit, basic slag, with tankage of least value, 

 when applied singly; when 2 were combined the order of rank was tankage 

 and basic slag, tankage and kainit, and kainit and basic slag. The combination 

 of the 3 fertilizers gave the greatest increased gain, viz, 475.86 kg. of husked 

 corn per hectare (425 lbs. per acre). 



Experimental hybridization of cotton, T. Thornton {Dept. Agr. Trinidad 

 and Tohago Bui. 11 {1912), No. 70, pp. 100-102) .—The results obtained by 

 crossing varieties of cotton showed increased yields for the first generation. 

 With this point in view a method is described by which a laborer can readily 

 be trained to pollinate from 300 to 360 plants per day, thus producing hybrid 

 seed for the following season at a slight cost in comparison with the expected 

 increased yield of the succeeding crop. 



Distribution of cotton seed in 1914, R. A. Oakley (U. S. Dept. Agr., Dis- 

 tril)utiofi of Cotton Seed in 1914, PP- 16). — This publication announces details 

 as to the distribution of cotton seed by this Department in 1914, includes an 

 ictroductory statement by O. F. Cook explaining how the seed may be utilized 

 to the best advantage by the farmer, and describes 7 varieties of cotton, giving 

 their origin and adaptation. 



Tiber plants, .J. Beauveeie {Les Textiles Y^getaux. Paris, 1913, pp. XIII+ 

 730, figs. 290).— The first of the 3 parts of this book treats of morphological, 

 anatomical, botanical, and physical and chemical characters of fiber plants in 

 general, and of retting, methods of investigations, and classification of fibers. 

 The second and third parts treat of the characteristics, varieties, culture, dis- 

 eases, and enemies of the fiber, and the retting and uses of each of the following 



