128 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Analyses of commercial fertilizers, W. Fkkak (Penii. Dept. Agr. Bui. J')}), 

 PI), li'.i). — Tliis bulletin rL-ports and discusses the results of analyses of 002 sam- 

 ples of fertilizers examined duriiii,' the pt^riod from January I to August 1, 1!)07. 



Licensed commercial fertilizers, 1908, F. W. Woll and G. A. Olson ( Wis- 

 consin, kita. Bui. 1U3, PI). 3-J9). — The results of inspection during the year are 

 reported, with a general discussion of commercial fertilizers and the main 

 principles governing their application. 



AGRICULTURAL BOTANY. 



The origin of the potato, ('. T. I>rui:uv (<l(tnl. Cliron., 3. scr., J/S (JUOH), No. 

 tlOa, pp. !').'/, i.7.7, figs. G). — An account is given of investigations of A. \V. 

 Sutton, which have been carried on for Jibout '20 years to determine the wild 

 species of Solanum that yields the potato of connnerce, and also, if i)ossilile, 1o 

 increase the resistant jiowers of the commercial potato against disease by 

 infusion of a stronger strain. The studies so far have failed to show the origin 

 of the cultivated ])ot:ito. In every case where the truly wild natnre of a species 

 was determined the offspring invariably came i»erfectiy true to the parental 

 l.vpe. 



In these studies one species, ,s'. cluhcnj.sum, has been under observation for 20 

 years, and although its name would imply that it is nontuber bearing, yet tubers 

 have been jjroduced that in the course of the experiment have increased from 

 less than an inch in diameter to tubers of marketable size, while in flavor they 

 do not differ from the ordinary potato. Tlie specittc characters of S. ctuberosuni 

 are such as to separate it quite distinctly from the cultivated potato, but it 

 apiiears promising as a source of edible tubers and of particular value on account 

 f»f its having proved resistant to the jiotattt disease due to Phyiophthora 

 infcstdiis. In all the experiments thus far carried on this fungus has never 

 been observed either on the stems or tubers of this species. 



Incidental to this investigation, attention is called to the similarity between the 

 variety known as Blue Giant and that described as the Violet variety of 

 S. commcrsonii. These two do not differ in any material character in the 

 foliage, method of branching, flower cluster, seed capsules, or pollen grains, and 

 both differ in common characters from cultivated material of the truly wild 

 species, »S. comnirrsonii. 



Texas honey plants, C. E. Sanborn and E. p]. Scholl {Texas Sta. Bui. 102, 

 pp. 31). — This bulletin contains brief notes on a large number of Texas honey 

 plants, relative to their geographical distribution and honey-producing qualities. 

 In many instances reference is made to the respective quality and yield of 

 pollen and px'opolis, aud data are given concerning the weather conditions and 

 their effects upon the yield of certain plants. The plants are discussed by 

 families, and wherever possible the common name is also given. 



The bulletin represents work of the department of entomology for several 

 years past, although the bulk of the work was accomplished by L. H. Scholl, 

 assistant and apiarist from 1902 to 1906. 



The poisonous properties of the beans of Phaseolus lunatus, W. R. DUN- 

 STAN and T. A. Henry {Jour. Bd. Agr. [London]. U, {1908), No. 12, pp. 722- 

 731). — Attention is called to the poisonous properties of certain varieties of 

 beans of the species P. hinatus. It has usually been stated that the white varie- 

 ties contain little or none of the glucosid which yields hydrocyanic acid when 

 acted upon by an enzym, and the authors have investigated a number of white 

 and colored varieties which were received from Burma to determine the possi- 

 bility of their containing glucosids iu toxic amouut, The red and white varie- 



