FIELD CKOPS. 147 



imrtial replacement of cotton-seed meal by nitrate of soda reduced Iwtli yield and 

 (luality. Sulphate of ammonia as a jmrtial substitute for cotton-seed meal slightly 

 improved the yield and the wrapper qualities of the leaf, but the flavor and the 

 aroma suffered a marked deterioration. Where double carbonate of potash and mag- 

 nesia was substituted for the sulphate of potash the leaf was more uniform and of 

 better texture and a slightly improved burning quality, without impairing the flavor 

 or aroma. The use of basic slag and the omission of a phosphate from the applica- 

 tion resulted in a low yield of poor quality. 



"jMost commercial tobacco manures contain much of their nitrogen in the form of 

 nitrate of soda or sulphate of ammonia. . . . Such manures are capa])le of improve- 

 njent for . . . the Lancaster county limestone clays by reducing the . . . nitrate of 

 soda and sulphate of ammonia to a very small fraction and increasing tlie quantity 

 of concentrated nitrogenous vegetable material used as a source of nitrogen and 

 hunuis." 



Physical ineasurem.ents of tobacco leaf from plats differently fertilized, 

 AV. Freak and J. A. Fries [ Fennsylvavia St<i. lipt. 1902, pp. 49-74). — The results of 

 a comparison of the wrapjser leaves from the Havana tobacco grown in the course of 

 the fertilizer experiments mentioned in the foregoing abstract are reported in tables 

 and briefly discussed. It was observed that the physical characters of the leaf were 

 much more influenced by the season than by the fertilizer application which in these 

 experiments, in all cases except where horse manure v>'as api^lied, furnished the 

 same quantities of nitrogen, potash, and phosphoric acid. The variations in total 

 yield and size and weight of single leaf were greatest in the best growing season, 

 while the percentage of rib and the thickness and density of leaf were less subject 

 to seasonal influences. 



The xise of horpe manure resulted in a large and heavy leaf with thick rib and vein, 

 but with low thickness of web and less densitj^ than the leaf from any other applica- 

 tion. The tobacco grown with cotton-seed meal, sulphate of potash, and dissolved 

 ))oneblack was smaller in size and weight, but tliicker and of greater density of web. 

 Where double carbonate of i>otasli and magnesia were substituted for the sulphate 

 of potash a good yield was obtained and the tobacco had a thin web, was generally 

 of a larger size, and had a thinner vein than the tobacco on adjacent i>lats. The use 

 of nitrate of soda in place of jiart of the cotton-seed meal reduced the size of the leaf 

 with a considerable increase in density. Where sulphate of anuuonia was substi- 

 tuted for the nitrate of soda the size and weight of the leaf were increased, and the 

 thickness of the vein, but the web was thinner and the density lower. 



Distribution of seed -wheat, A. K. Risser {Pemis'jlvania Sta. Bpt. 1902, pp. 2o8- 

 270). — A detailed report by counties is given of the results obtained in a cooperative 

 test of Relialjle wheat, a variety distributed by the station. Thirty-five replies were 

 received from 24 counties. The yields reported ranged from 17 to 35 bu. per acre, 

 with an average of 27 bu. The variety proved to be a good yielder, as compared 

 with other sorts, but several experimenters objected to its weak straw and tendency 

 to lodge. 



Selection of wheat and corn, E. F. Ladd {Xorth Dakota Sta. Rpt. 1902, pp. 27- 

 SO). — The selection of wheat was carried on at the station for the purpose of increas- 

 ing the protein and gluten content. The results obtained during the last 3 years are 

 given in a ta1)le without discussion. The corn selected for high nitrogen content in 

 1901 in nearly every case produced corn of a high nitrogen content in 1902. The 

 physical method of selecting corn of a high nitrogen content was found quite 

 reliable. 



Analyses of grasses, flax, and wheat, F. W. Traphacjen {Montana. Sta. Rpt. 

 1902, pp. .',8-61, (iH, 67). — The results of analyses based on the air-dried and water- 

 free substance of a list of grasses are tabulated. It is shown "that grasses of the 

 same species, gathered at different periods a:t different stages of growth, may differ 



