FIELD CROPS. 633 



Germination experiments with cereals in light and in darkness, A. Bujj- 

 OERSTEiN {Ztschr. Lttudw. Versuchsw. Osterr., 16 U91S), No. 8, pp. 849-861).— 

 From experiments carried out in 1912 and 1913 the author concludes that 

 cereal seeds germinate somewhat more slowly in diffused light than in dark- 

 ness, but that light or darkness has little influence on the germinative ability. 

 The temperature was maintained at between 18 and 20" C. It is noted that 

 large oat seeds show a greater germinntive energy than small ones. 



Observations on cereals in trial plats, W. G. Smith and T. Anderson 

 (Edinb. and East of Scot. Col. Agr. Rpt. 30 (1913), pp. 26, pis. 3).— It is noted 

 that when these plats were covered with a small mesh wire netting the ripen- 

 ing of the cereals was retarded more than 3 weeks in some cases, esp(>cially 

 during cool wet seasons. It was found that, as a rule, grains of barley with a 

 smooth rachilla produced plants with stronger straw and better grain than 

 those from the same sample with a hairy rachilla. Two years' selection with 

 barley did not seem to have any influence in reducing the number of spikes. 

 In crossing barley it was observed that serrated dorsal veins of the kernels 

 and the hairy rachilla appeared as dominant characters in the Fi generation. 



The influence of local conditions on the development of cereals with spe- 

 cial reference to Gottingen variation, voN Seelhorst {Jahrb. Dcut. Landw. 

 Qesell., 27 {1912), No. 2, pp. 374-S86, pU. 4, fig. i).— Similar work by Polio has 

 already been noted (E. S. K., 30, p. 136.) 



The influence of different spacing on the growth of the plant, K, Grund- 

 MANN (Dcut. Landw. Prcsse, 40 (1913), Nos. 71, pp. S46-S4S; 72, pp. 856, 857).— 

 This article reports results of an investigation covering observations on the 

 development of the plant, yield of grain, and character of the grain of wheat 

 and rye as influenced by the spacing of breeding plants, so that each received 

 from 36 to 200 sq. cm. From the results of 2 years' work the author concludes 

 that a spacing of 5 by 20 cm. is the most favorable for selected plants which 

 are to be used in breeding, and that a spacing of 3 by 20 cm. is the best suited 

 for the multiplication plats. 



Experiments bearing" on feeding off cereal crops with sheep, A. J. Perkins 

 and W. J. Spatford (Jour. Dcpt. Agr. So. Aitst., 16 (1913), Nos. 9, pp. 935-964, 

 figs. 11; 11, pp. 1225-1238, figs. 5). — This gives results in tabular form of 3 

 years' experiments carried on to determine the effect produced upon yields by 

 removing by pasturing or cutting the early growth of wheat, barley, and oats. 

 The data show (1) that hay yields suffered by even judicious pasturing, (2) 

 that in order to avoid lodging, pasturing was found advisable when there was 

 an " overrank " winter growth, and that it should be done as rapidly as pos- 

 sible by crowding with sheep, (3) that pasturing should not be done in wet 

 weather, late in the season, in frosty weather, and (4) that the percentage of 

 Bmut in the grain was reduced by pasturing. 



On the mechanics of the unfolding of the embryo of the Gramineae, A. 

 BuEGERSTEiN (Ztschv. Latidw. Vetsuchsw. Osterr., 16 (1913), No. 2, pp. 47-60, 

 pi. 1). — This article discusses observations and results of experiments espe- 

 cially covering (1) the mechanical function of the first leaf sheath of cereals; 



(2) the mechanics of the unfolding of the radicle of cereals and legumes; 



(3) the abnormal germination of awned grass seeds; and (4) the mechanical 

 function of the trichoma in the appearance of the Coleorrhiza. The grasses 

 studied were Lolium perenne, L. italicnm, L. xcestcrwoldicum, Poa pratcnsis, 

 Arrhenatherum elatius, Alopecur^s pratcnsis, Agrostis stolonifera, A. pratcnsis, 

 Avena flavescens, Cynosurus cristatus, Dactylis glamcrata, Fcstuca ovina, 

 F. pratensis, F. rubra, and Holcus lanatus. 



New strains from the Alpine forms of pasture grasses, T. von Weinzierl 

 {Ztschr. Laiidxc. Versnichsw. Osterr., 16 (1913), No. 7, pp. 790-820, pis. 10, 



