FIELD CROPS. 337 



succeeding years the annual yield ranged from 25 to 100 tons per acre. The 

 author summarizes his experience and ventures to assert that " there is no 

 other plant, wild or cultivated, that yields 100 tons per acre of green stuff 

 every year for a generation." 



A new fodder plant, E. G. Kenni' {Rhodesia Agr. Jour., 7 (1910), No. 5, pp. 

 139S-1400, fig. 1). — The author suggests the name of Napier's fodder {Pen- 

 nisetum sp.) for a plant resembling pearl millet (P. typhoideum) . He de- 

 scribes the plant, pronounces it very drought and frost resistant, and gives this 

 analysis: Water 55.33, ether extract 0.S4, protein 3.10, carbohydrates 21.16, 

 fiber 15.66, and ash 3.71 per cent. The plant is adapted to light dry soil and 

 propagated by subdivision of the roots and by cuttings or slips. 



Cloth made from seaweed, H. D. Bakee {Daily Cons, and Trade Rpts. [U.S.I, 

 13 {1910), No. 125, p. 790). — Posidonia australia, a submarine plant, yields 

 fiber which is not inllammable except at a very high temperature. It is suit- 

 able for bedding, upholstering, rope, string, mats, the packing of fruit and 

 eggs, paper making, and other purposes. Its libers are larger and finer than 

 those of P. oceanica, and when mixed with wool appear " to weave into an ex- 

 cellent cloth which may be dyed various colors." As a seaweed it grows on a 

 limestone bottom and is found in large deposits from 4 to 20 ft. in thickness 

 along the southern coast of Australia. Experiments indicate that the deposits 

 contain but 1 per cent of the pure fiber, the remainder being sand, shells, and 

 debris. 



Experimental work, 1909, F. Charlan {Canada Dept. Agr., Tohacco Div. 

 Bui. A8, pp. 2Jt, pis. 9). — This bulletin consists of 3 parts. 



I. Experiments in the growing of seed plants. — The exi)eriments reported 

 verify conclusions already noted (E. S. R., 22, p. 337). In the later germina- 

 tion tests it appeared that light had a considerable influence on the results and 

 that a higher proportion of seedlings may be expected from dry seeds germi- 

 nated before sowing. The objection to artificial germination is the weakening 

 effect produced on the germ by canrying on the work in the dark, 



II. Sterilization of soils. Seed tests. Thickness of seeding. — Steam sterili- 

 zation of the soil in beds to be u.sed for tobacco seedlings retarded the growth 

 of the seedlings, and formalin treatment proved preferable. Although the 

 l)lants started slowly after it, they rapidly overtook the plants in the un- 

 treated bed and were the first ready for setting out. Formalin treatment does 

 not destroy the weed seeds and for this purpose steam is more effective. A 

 solution of 2i, or, in doubtful cases, of 5 lbs. of formalin in 50 gal. of water is 

 suggested. The stronger solution may delay germination and early growth. 



Best results were obtained with seeds from 2 to 6 years old which is per- 

 fectly formed and is unimpaired in vitality. Seed 10 or more years old may 

 give excellent results but lapse of time causes partial loss of vitality. The 

 author suggests that the tobacco grower should collect seeds in the most favor- 

 able year and keep them available for 5 to 6 years. 



A good stand was secured by sowing 7 oz. of seed with a germination test of 

 90 per cent ou 100 sq. ft. Axillary capsules gave slightly earlier but less 

 vigorous plants, which yielded 1,161 lbs. per acre as compared with 1,.591 lbs. 

 from seeds out of other capsules. Late or imperfectly formed capsules should 

 not be harvested. 



III. The value to Canadian farmers of home-grown tobacco seed. — In a va- 

 riety test Wisconsin Special produced 1,163 lbs. per acre as compared with 

 1,241 lbs. from Canadian Wisconsin. Imported and Canadian grown Comstock 

 Spanish seed yielded 1,101 and 1,471 lbs. per acre respectively. 



Report of the tobacco expert, L. M. Stella {Rpt. Dept. Agr. Cape Good Hope, 

 1909, pp. 120-126, pis. 2).— The highest yield of tobacco, valued at £32 6s. per 



