634 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD. 



The breeding of agricultural plants, C. Fruwieth (Die Ziichtung der 

 LwndwirtscliaftUchen KuUarpflanzen. Berlin, 1910, vol. 4, 2. ed. rev., pp. XVI+ 

 460, figs. 39). — The first edition of this work has already been noted (B. S. R., 

 19, p. 427), as have revisions of other volumes (E. S. E., 21, p. 543). 



[Experiments at the Glen Innes Farm with grasses, clovers, and alfalfa], 

 J. E. O'Grady, {Agr. Gaz. N. S. Wales, 21 {1910), No. 12, pp. 1061,-1015, pis. 2, 

 figs. 2). — ^A description of the farm and its facilities is followed by a brief 

 progress report of experimental sowings of alfalfa, clovers, small grains, and 

 numerous grasses. Alfalfa gave better results when drilled at the rate of 8 lbs. 

 per acre than when seeded at higher or lower rates. 



The production of alfalfa, R. G. Oses (Estac. Agr. Expt. Bio Verde, San 

 Luis Potosl, Bol. 6, pp. 76, pis. 6). — This is substantially a reprint of a publica- 

 tion previously noted (E. S. R. 23, p. 535). 



Value of corn in holding moisture, L. R, Waldron {Farm, Stock, and Home, 

 27 {1911), No. 3, pp. 102, 103). — The author reports experiments in which corn 

 and wheat were grown continuously on two plats, while the Campbell summer 

 tillage system was used on a third. 



The most careful alternate summer tillage failed to save as much moisture 

 as was retained by gi'owing a crop of corn each year. On the corn plat the 

 moisture content was increased to a depth of at least 15 ft. and the tenth foot 

 contained nearly as much moisture as any. " Had wheat been grown part of 

 the time, moisture would not have penetrated so deeply." In the fall of 1910 

 after 4 years' test, the first 10 ft. of soil on the corn plat contained 22.8 in. of 

 water, the wheat plat 14.2 in., and the summer tillage plat nearly 20 in. 



Experiments in corn cultivation, E. Tarrag6 {Min. Agr. {ArgcnHna'^ Div. 

 Ensenanza Agr. [Pm&.], 4- ser., 1910, No. 10, pp. H, figs. 5). — The author states 

 the methods and describes the varieties used in the test. Morocho and Oriental 

 produced the highest grain yield. Piamontes and Quarantain had the shortest 

 growing periods, 103 and 79 days, respectively. Tables state the yield, shelling 

 percentage, weight per hectoliter, vegetation period, and dates of planting, 

 germination, and maturity for each variety tested. 



Preliminary observations concerning natural crossing in cotton, H. A. 

 Allard {Amcr. Breeders Mag., 1 {1910), No. 4, pp. 247-261, figs. 2). — The author 

 regards natural crossing as an overlooked factor in cotton breeding and dis- 

 cusses the arrangement of parent types to determine natural crossing. A table 

 shows that about 20 per cent of the bolls observed in a mixed planting of Keenan 

 and Okra were crosses, but he believes that there is strong probability that 

 40 per cent of the blossoms may be crossed and that crossing is beneficial in 

 selected, but detrimental in unselected, cotton. Cross pollination by various 

 insects is discussed and the results of observations of bees among cotton 

 blossoms stated. 



Cotton culture, M. Passon {Die Kultur der Baumwollstaude. Stuttgart, 

 1910, pp. 118, ftgs. 7). — A brief history of the cotton plant and statement of Its 

 original habitat is followed by a classification of the varieties and strains, and 

 discussions of its climatic, soil, and fertilizer requirements, the preparation and 

 planting of the seed, managing the fields, cultivating, topping, harvesting, and 

 ginning, and marketing the crop. Cotton breeding and the utilization of the 

 seed and its products are also dealt with. 



The chemistry of the Kafir corn kernel, R. O. Baird {Oklahoma Sta. Bui. 

 S9, pp. 3-15, figs. 2). — The author finds that the "Kafir kernel ranks close to 

 corn as a food, as shown by the analyses of the proximate constituents." Kafir 

 corn and Indian corn are estimated to contain 38 and 39.2 lbs. of fermentable 

 material per bushel respectively, capable of producing IS and 19 lbs. of 

 alcohol at a grain cost of 12 and 14 cts. per gallon of alcohol, with corn at 374 

 cts. and Kafir corn at 30 cts. per bushel. Kafir-corn fat is thought to excel 

 corn oil for the manufacture of soaps and fatty acids but proved valueless as 



