FIELD CROPS. 243 



Fertilizer experiments with hops [Deut. Landw. Prexse, 30 {1903), No. ^9, j). 

 324)- — The results of 8 years exi)eriments with nitrate of soda are reported. All 

 plats received 720 kg. of Thomas slag and 360 kg. of 40 per cent potash salt per 

 hectare. Nitrate of soda was applied at the rate of 400 and 650 kg. per hectare, 

 either the entire quantity applied in the spring or \ of it applied in the fall. -One 

 plat received barnyard manure instead of nitrate of soda. As compared with the 

 chec-k plat, the increase in yield per hectare on the various plats receiving different 

 fertilizers was as follows: Barnyard manure, 91 kg. ; 400 kg. of nitrate of soda applied 

 in the spring, 109 kg. ; the same application ^ applied in the fall, 120 kg. ; 650 kg. of 

 nitrate of soda applied in the spring, 204 kg. ; and the same amount, ajjplying I in the 

 fall, 215 kg. 



On the check plat where no nitrate of soda was applied, and on the plat receiving 

 barnyard manure, many strobiles ripened early and the lower leaves of the plant 

 turned yellow, which is considered due to the insufficient supply of nitrogen in the 

 soil. Where the largest quantity of nitrate of soda was applied the hops matured 

 latest and were in general of a better quality than where only 400 kg. per hectare 

 were used. The hops from the plats receiving the heaviest application of nitrate 

 were stronger in aroma and the strobiles were of a deeper green in color, as com- 

 pared with the crop obtained on the other plats. As a rule plants best supplied with 

 nitrogen were most resistant to drought, plant disease, and insect enemies. 



In a separate experiment with the same fertilizer applications, but confined in each 

 instance to a single hill, the yields were as follows: Without nitrate of soda, 195 

 gm. of dried hops; with 400 kg. of the nitrate per hectare, \ applied in the fall, 256 

 gm. ; and with 650 kg., ^ applied in the fall, 317 gm. 



Time of harvesting horse beans, A. Gregoiee {Bui. Agr. ^Brussels}, 19 {1903), 

 No. 4, pp- 526-531). — A study was made of the composition of the horse bean at dif- 

 ferent stages of growth and the results of the analyses made on different dates are 

 shown. It was found that the formation of organic substance in the horse bean 

 continues very actively up to the close of the vegetative period. During the last 2 

 months of growth the plant accumulates only nitrogenous substance and carbohy- 

 drate material, with the exception of fat and cellulose. The composition of these 

 substances at the close of the vegetative period was found to be the same as during 

 the early growth. The percentage of nutritive matter and its digestibility increased 

 continually during the growing season. With these results in view the author rec- 

 ommends late harvesting. 



Ten years' experiments -with oats, C. G. Williams {Ohio Sta. Bui. 138, pp. 39- 

 52). — Previous results in this series of experiments have been noted (E. S. R., 11, p. 

 234). The results for the different seasons are here shown in tables and discussed. 

 American Banner, Improved American, Colonel, and Clydesdale, all varieties of the 

 Welcome type, gave the largest average yield per acre and heaviest weight per meas- 

 ured bushel. Plowing sandy clay soil as compared with merely disking it proved 

 profitable. The use of 9 to 10 pecks of seed per acre gave better results than the use 

 of a smaller quantity. Using only the heaviest seed was found very advantageous, 

 and sowing not over 1 inch deep gave better returns than deeper seeding. Broad- 

 casting gave heavier yields than drilling 2 or 3 inches deep. The author does not 

 conclude that broadcasting is better than drilling, but believes that oats are com- 

 monly drilled too deep. 



Tests of yellow and. green grained, strains of different varieties of rye, A. 

 Geerkens {Fuhlmgs Landw. Ztg., 52 {1903) Nos. 8, pp. 269-274; 9, pp. 311-315).— 

 The experiments here reported were at once variety tests and breeding experi- 

 ments. Petkuser rye proved to be the hardiest variety under test, and its superiority 

 in this respect was esi)ecially shown on light soils. On heavy soils Russian Stauden- 

 roggen was fully equal to Petkuser in resisting winter weather. Gottingen rye showed 

 the lowest degree of hardiness. The best yields were obtained from strains origi- 



