FIELD CUOPS. 241 



seed produced plants resembling tlie parent stalks. A test of seed ears varj-ing in 

 tlie percentage of shelled corn showed that each seed ear transmitted its character 

 in this respect to its offspring. Another test of seed eai's showed that the longer 

 the seed ear the greater A\as the average length of the ears produced. 



Experiments have also been made to test the extent to which the size of the germ 

 can be transmitted. The results ahuost without exception showed the germs of the 

 progeny of the large-germed ears to ])e plainly larger than tliose of the progeny 

 from the small-germed ears. The individuality of kernels was studied by planting 

 red and white kernels from a spotted ear of white dent. About one-half of the ears 

 produced had kernels like those planted and the rest of the ears were white. In a 

 second test of this kind various kernels of a hybrid ear followed the same rule of 

 transmitting their individual characters. 



The commercial grading of corn, C. S. Scofield {U. S. Dept. Agr., Bummof 

 Plant Industry Bid. 41, pp- ^4, P^s- 4)- — This bulletin discusses the methods and pur- 

 poses of grading corn; points out the value of definite grade standards and grade 

 uniformity, and describes the methods of determining the percentage of moisture, 

 color, damaged grains, and broken grains and dirt in a cargo of corn. The rules 

 recently recommended by the Chief Grain Inspectors' National Association for the 

 grading of corn are given, and the classes and grades of corn are defined. 



"In grading commercial corn there are two classes of elements to be considered: 

 First, those which indicate condition — moisture, percentage of moldy, rotten, or 

 otherwise damaged kernels, and percentage of broken grains, dirt, and other foreign 

 material; and second, those which indicate quality — Qplor, plumpness, relative pro- 

 portion of starchy to hard material, and relative size of germ." Moisture, percent- 

 age of colors in mixtures, percentage of damaged grains, and percentage of broken 

 grains and dirt are regarded as the essential elements in determining the grade. 



Improvement of cotton by seed selection, H. J. Webber ( U. S. Dept. Agr. 

 Yearbook 1902, pp. 365-SS6, pis. 3, dgm. 1). — This article describes the methods of 

 selection which may be used by cotton planters and breeders, and points out some 

 of the important improvements and results that can be produced by such means. 

 Improvements in the yield of fiber and seed, length of staple, strength of fiber, 

 season of maturing, resistance to disease and storms, and adaptation to soil and 

 climate are considered. 



Flaxseed production, commerce, and manufacture in the United States, 

 C. M. Daugherty ( V. S. Dept. Agr. Ycarhooh 1902, 2>P- 421-43S) . — After considering 

 the growth and development of flaxseed i^roduction and manufacture in the United 

 States, the author discusses the products from flaxseed and their uses and describes 

 the manufacture of linseed oil. Statistics on the cultivation and production of flax- 

 seed, the internal commerce in the product, and the production of linseed oil are 

 presented. 



Preliminary report on the commercial fibers of the Philippines, J. W. Gil- 

 more {J'Jiilipplne Bnrrav. ^Igr., Farmers' Bid. 4, pp. 5S, pis. 4)- — Brief general infor- 

 mation is given on the fibers exported from the Philippines and those largely used 

 by the natives. The fiber jilants discussed include Manila hemp, maguey, pineapple, 

 cotton, ramie, pangdan, burri or talipot palm, nipa, and rattan. A partial list of the 

 fibrous plants of the Philippine Islands is given. The text of the bulletin is in 

 English and Spanish. 



Forage conditions and problems in eastern Washington, eastern Oregon, 

 northeastern California, and northwestern Nevada, I), (tkifkiths {(J. X Depl. 

 Agr., Bureau of J'lant Lid.ustrg Bid. 38, pp. 52, pis. 5).— The field work of 1902, which 

 is here reported, was largely supi)lementary to that of 1901 (E. S. R., 14, p. 136). 

 The investigations of the season were confined to the drainage area of the Cohnnbia 

 River and to the Great Basin. A general account of these regions is given, and the 

 range is described with reference maiidy to its 'condition and its flora. The occur- 



