FIELD CROPS. 439 



of seeding 1 acre with the best 10 samples rauged from $1.95 to $2.10. A com- 

 parison of the results of analyses during the years 1906, 1907. and 1908 shows 

 practically no improvement in the total impurities present in the seed, but the 

 percentage of foreign seed shows a gradual decline. 



Cutting alfalfa at different stages of maturity gave the following yields at 

 the first cutting: First bloom. May 16, 1.36 tons of hay, one-tenth bloom, May 

 29. 1.76 tons, one-half bloom. May 31, 1.81 tons, and at full bloom, June 7, 2.04 

 tons per acre. 



In 1902. A. L. Cottrell found that 223 plants examined contained 6,335 stems, 

 or an average of 28.4 stems per plant. On the average 55 per cent by weight 

 of matured hay was found to be stems and 45 per cent leaves. This relation 

 showed some variations, however, as one group selected for leaf characteristics 

 had 49 per cent leaves and 51 per cent stems, while another selected for stem 

 characteristics contained 41 per cent leaves and 59 per cent stems. 



In 1905 the station hauled green alfalfa hay into a small shed above an ele- 

 vated, well-ventilated bottom, the hay being piled loosely from 4 to 5 ft. thick 

 but not tramped. A second cutting was later placed upon the first in a similar 

 manner. While alfalfa left in the field was very badly spoiled by the rains, 

 this green alfalfa cured out almost perfectly, showing only a little moldy hay 

 in the center of the mow. Directions and plans for the construction of hay 

 sheds adapted to this method of curing and storing alfalfa hay are given. 



As an average for 4 seasons the yields per acre of several hay crops compared 

 as follows: Common alfalfa 7,345 lbs., Turkestan alfalfa 6,080 lbs.. Medium 

 Red clover 5,490 lbs., Bromus inei-mis and alfalfa 5,473 lbs., timothy 4,779 lbs., . 

 timothy and red clover 4.604 lbs.. Mammoth clover 4,148 lbs., B. inermis and 

 red clover 4,133 lbs., B. inermis, orchard grass and red clover 3,825 lbs., timothy, 

 red clover and B. inermis 3,560 lbs., timothy and redtop 3.060 lbs., B. inermis 

 2,892 lbs., tall oat grass 1,707 lbs., meadow fescue (English bluegrass) 1,666 lbs., 

 orchard grass 1.414 lbs. 



Moisture determinations of green alfalfa cut at different stages of maturity 

 in 1906 showed the following total moisture content: Cut at the time of first 

 bloom. May 16, 74.64 per cent, cut at one-half bloom. May 31, 69.72 per cent, 

 and cut in full bloom, June 7, 64.18 per cent. Other determinations showed a 

 moisture content ranging above 80 per cent. 



Winter bur clover, W. C. Welborn (Tej-as Sta. Bui. 108, pp. 3-6). — The 

 culture and uses of bur clover are described. 



Cotton experiments, 1907, W. R. Perkins (Mississippi Sta. Bui. 113. pp. 7. 

 ehrtrt 1). — In comparison of 11 varieties of cotton, Cleveland Big Boll ranked 

 first in lint production w'itli 630 lbs. per acre and first in total value per acre 

 with $69.73. Russell Big Boll ranked first in seed production with 1.280 lbs. of 

 seed per acre. Russell Big Boll and World Wonder produced the longest staple, 

 H in. Topping cotton on August 3 and 26 gave inconclusive results. Cotton 

 plowed the last time on August 3 did not keep up its growth as late nor was 

 the number of late blossoms nearly so large as in cotton cultivated twice later 

 than this date, on August 13 and 27. The plat cultivated last on August 3 

 yielded 1,126 lbs. of seed cotton, while the plat cultivated last on August 27 

 yielded 1,236 lbs. per acre. 



Breeding work with cotton is briefly described. The work was begun in 

 1904 with a few selected stocks of Cook Improved, but although selection has 

 been carefully continued considerable variation is still found. 



Danger in judging cotton varieties by lint percentages, O. F. Cook ( U. 8. 

 Depf. Af/r.. Bur. Plant Indus. (Jirc. 11, pp. ,3-16). — This circular points out the 

 danger of too persistently basing the selection of cotton upon the single char- 

 acter of lint percentages, shows bow smaller or lighter seeds raise the lint 



