FIELD CROPS. 239 



ment of corn, wheat, oats, rye, barley, rice, cotton, hay, and forage crops in the 

 United States, and points out the influence wliich the work of tliis Department and 

 the experiment stations has had upon the results thus far o])tained. 



Experience and results in plant breeding-, O. Pitsch {Deut. Landw. Pren-ne, SO 

 {1903), Nos. 47, p. 415; 48, pp. 4^9, 430; 49, p. 40). — Breeding experiments with 

 mangels, sugar beets, and wheat are descril)ed. Golden Tankard and Petite Anglaise 

 mangels were planted together witli Kleinwanzlebener sugar l)eets, and natural crosses 

 were obtained. The work of selection carried on for several generations is discussed 

 and brief notes of the results are given. 



A comparative study of the anatomical structure of mangels and sugar beets is 

 reported, and the conclusion is drawn that in a measure the sugar content of mangels 

 is higher in proportion as the anatomical structure of the mangel ajiproaches the 

 finer structure of the sugar beet. It was found, however, that the anatomical struc- 

 ture did not serve as a guide in the selection of mother beets. Fiirther investiga- 

 tion, in which the dry matter was taken into consideration, showed that a high 

 percentage of dry matter, a fine anatomical structure, and a higli specific gravity are 

 closely related, and that these qualities are usually not found in specimens high in 

 weight. Specimens showing these 3 qualities, together with a relatively high 

 weight, are considered good mother beets. 



A new variety of wheat was originated by the author several years ago by crossing 

 Essex and Rouge Inversable, a Bordeaux wheat. This new variety, known as Bor- 

 deaux Bastard, has given better yields than Essex and other standard sorts. Later, 

 crosses between Squarehead and Challenge wheats were obtained, and these are here 

 described. The crosses showing the characters of the Squarehead wheat in the spike 

 were more productive and produced a heavier grain than the new varieties in which 

 these characters were absent. It was also observed that individuals of Bordeaux 

 Bastard wheat having the Squarehead type of ear were much more winter resistant 

 than plants with the common type. 



Congressional seed and plant distribution circulars, 1902-1903 ( U. S. Dept. 

 Agr., Bureau of Plant Industry Bui. 25, pp. 23-82, pis. 3, Jigs. 3) . — These circulars pre- 

 pared by different members of the scientific force of the Bureau of Plant Industry 

 and one V)y the chief of the Bureau of Soils, originally printed to accompany seeds 

 sent out through the Congressional distribiition, consist of descriptions of varieties 

 and directions for their culture and have been collected and published here for the 

 purpose of permanently recording them. 



Among the different subjects considered are the plan of distribution and allotments 

 of Congressional seeds and jilants in 1902-3, directions for planting bulbs, methods 

 of cultivating and ginning short and long staple upland and Sea Island varieties of 

 cotton, growing pure cotton seed of good quality, and the culture of different types 

 of tobacco. Historical and descriptive notes are given on the Rivers Sea Island cot- 

 ton and Sea Island cotton No. 224, varieties tested with reference to their resistance 

 to the wilt disease. A description with a history of the variety is also given of the 

 Iron cowpea, a variety "most noteworthy for its resistance to the cowpea wilt disease 

 and root knot. ' ' 



Variety tests with Swedish barley {Deut. Landw. Presse, 30 {1903), No. 32, p. 

 272). — The results of variety tests with Swedish barley are briefly noted. Hanna 

 barley ripened early and seemed well adapted to light soils in dry locations. Svan- 

 halskorn barley matured as early as Hanna, but api)eared to be better adapted to 

 heavy than to light and dry soils. Swedish Chevalier, a late variety, ranked second 

 in yield and last in quality and gave equally good results on light and heavy soils. 

 Princess barley ripened latest and as a rule gave the best yields on the heavier soils. 

 During the wet season of 1902 it also yielded well on light land. This variety ranked 

 third in quality. 



Nitrate of soda as a fertilizer for brewing- barley {J>eal. jAtndw. J'resse, 



