FIELD CROPS. 737 



annual consumption increased from an average of 2,500,000,000 lbs. in ISSl- 

 1885 to practically 7,000,000,000 lbs. in 1901-1910, and in the fiscal year 1912, 

 to a total of 7,900,000,0<XJ lbs. 



" The large increase in consumption was coincident with a greater home pro- 

 duction. The cane-sugar output increased considerably, while beet sugar, the 

 production of which amounted to little in the early eighties, far exceeded that 

 of cane sugar in contiguous United States in the last few years. . . . 



"The sugar supply of the United States proper has always been derived 

 chiefly from abroad, and, even with a greatly increased home production in 

 190G-1910, the portion of supply received from domestic factories made only 23 

 per cent of the total consumption; this was more than twice the corresponding 

 percentage for 1SS1-18S5. The insular possessions— Hawaii, Porto Kico, and 

 the Philippine Islands— furnished nearly 22 i>er cent, and the rest, amounting 

 to 55 per cent, came from foreign countries during 190G-1910." 



Tables show the production of sugar in the United States and its insular pos- 

 sessions ; the consumption of sugar in contiguous United States and its sources ; 

 average yield of refined sugar per acre of beets or cane in contiguous United 

 States, and of cane in Hawaii ; production of cane sirup and cane mola.sses in 

 the United States, 1899-1909; sugar production in Louisiana, Hawaii, and Porto 

 Kico; production of sorghum sirup, sorghum cane, maple sugar, and sirup 

 in the United States; monthly prices of sugar; freight rates; and international 

 trade in sugar. 



The sugar industry {Thirteenth Census U. S., 10 {1910), pp. 471-J/83). — 

 Statistics for 1909 of the cane and the beet sugar industry of the United States, 

 its territories and possessions are reported in detail. 



Tobacco culture, W. W. Gaenee {U. S. Dept. Agr. Farmers' Bui. 511 {1914) 

 pp. 15, figs. If). — This bulletin contains cultural and curing notes of several 

 varieties of each of 3 general classes of tobacco : Cigar tobaccos, export tobaccos 

 and manufacturing tobaccos. 



The growing of tobacco for nicotin extraction, G. H. Gaer.u) {Jour. South 

 east. Agr. Col. Wijc, No. 19 {1910), pp. 262-317, pis. 4, fig. 1; No. 20 {1911), pp 

 867-393; No. 21 {1912), pp. 429-438) .—This paper discusses the value of nicotin 

 as an insecticide, the factors influencing the nicotin content of tobacco (variety 

 soil and climate, manuring, time of harvesting, and spacing of plants), the 

 botanical characters of tobacco, and the practical management of the crop. 



The results of the experiments of 1910 showed (1) that a rich soil produced 

 a higher percentage of nicotin, (2) that an excess of nitrogenous fertilizer 

 seemed to increase the nicotin content, (3) that spacing the plants li by 3 

 ft. apart gave the greatest yields of nicotin per acre, (4) that neglect to top or 

 disbud reduced the yield of nicotin, and (5) that low topping (at 8 to 10 leaves) 

 gave greater yields than high topping. In 1911 the reverse was true in regard 

 to topping. 



The best time to cut was found to be at maturity. Varieties of Nicotiuna 

 rust tea seem to contain a higher percentage of nicotin than those of N. tahacum. 

 It is noted that a yield of from 70 to 150 lbs. of nicotin per acre may be ex- 

 pected. Analytical data are given in tabular form. 



The book of vetch, W. C. Smith {Delphi, Ind., 1912, pp. 157, pis. 25).— The 

 author has treated this subject with special stress upon the soil-improving 

 qualities of the plant. The chapters cover its history, varieties, characteristics, 

 seeds and seeding, vetch as a cover crop, vetch and bees, vetch as a green 

 manure and as a forage plant, the bad points of vetch, and vetch and potatoes. 

 There are also included the experiences of vetch growers in many parts of the 

 United States. 



