240 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



30 {1903), No. 38, p. 332). — Samplea of barley grown in cooperative fertilizer experi- 

 ments were examined with reference to the purity of tlie grain, the size, i^liape, 

 uniformity, color, and mealiness of the kernel and the texture of the hulls, resulting 

 in an average num])er of points of 21.39 for the samples grown without fertilizers, and 

 of 21. ()7 for samples from plats fertilized with nitrate of soda, Thomas slag, and 

 kainit. These results are considered as indicating that tlie use of nitrate of soda does 

 not injure the (luality of tlie barley for brewing jiurjjoses. Api)lications of nitrate of 

 soda in connectit)n with phosphoric acid and jjotash for the purpose of increasing the 

 yield are recommended. 



Variety tests with, red clover, 0. Pitscii {DcuI. Landw. Presse, 30 {1903), Non. 

 33, pp. 331, 332; 41, p. 362) . — The results of tests with 3 continental varieties and 

 American red clover conducted for 4 years are given. Maas, a continental variety, 

 ranked first in the yield of dry matter. 



The corn crop, C. G. Williams {Ohio /Sta. Bui. 140, pp. 67-88, fujs. 5). — This 

 bulletin discusses at some length the selection of seed corn and points out the desirable 

 and essential characters of corn used for seed. Directions for selecting the seed corn 

 with a view to increasing the protein content are given, together with descriptions of 

 the ears of 28 varieties grown at the station. The mean temjierature and rainfall at 

 the station for the 5 months of the corn-growing season for 15 years are given in a 

 table. The results of field experiments conducted Ijy the late J. F. Hickman are 

 reported. 



A comparison of drill and hill planting covering a period of 4 years shows that 

 planting 1 grain every 12 in. in the row gave the best yield. A distance of 18 in. 

 between single grains gave a marked reduction in the yield. Plantmg 2 grains every 

 24 in. gave practically the same results as 1 grain every 12 in. 



Experiments in deep and shallow cultivation were carried on for 9 j^ears. Deep 

 cultivation consisted in working the soil with a shovel cultivator to a depth of 4 in., 

 and shallow cultivation in stirring the soil with a spring-tooth cultivator to a dejith 

 of an inch and a half. The average results for the 9 seasons show that the shallow- 

 cultivated plats yielded 4 bu. of grain and 213 lbs. of stover more per acre than the 

 plats receiving deep cultivation. 



Of 47 varieties under test for a varying number of years, 22 never completely 

 matured. The best maturing varieties were Hess "White, Leaming, Leaming Cuppy, 

 Minnesota King, and Murdock 90 Day. The best yielding varieties stood in the fol- 

 lowing order : Missouri Leaming, Reid Yellow Dent, Henderson Eureka, Farmer 

 Favorite, Darke County Early Mammoth, and Leaming. Pride of the North, King 

 of the Earliest, Early Butler, and Extra Early Huron Dent are pointed out as good 

 early varieties. Leaming and Reid Yellow Dent are suggested as suitable for the 

 section of the State south of the 40th parallel ; Learning and Clarage for the section 

 between the 40th and 41st parallels, and Clarage and White Cap Yellow Dent for the 

 northern jiart of the State. 



Improvement of corn by seed selection, C P. Hartley ( U. S. Depi. Agr. Year- 

 fiool, 1902, pp. 539-552, pis. 7). — This article discusses the possibilities of increase in 

 yield and improvement in quality of corn; points out the importance of stalk, ear, 

 and kernel in selecting seed, and calls attention to other points to be considered in 

 this connection. Directions are given for the selection of seed, the planting and 

 cultivation of a seed patch, and the storing of seed corn. 



The results of 6 breeding experiments, show'ing the necessity of giving attention 

 to the characters of stalk, ear, and kernel in selecting seed are briefly rejiorted. A 

 stalk of Pedrick Golden Beauty corn, jiroducing exceptionally broad leaves was fer- 

 tilized with pollen from the same plant, and the seed from the I'esulting ear pro- 

 duced plants exhibiting the same character. The seed from these plants also 

 produced broad-leaved plants. In one exjierinient 3 short and very leafy stalks of 

 tall-growing white dent corn were cross pollinated one with another. The resulting 



