244 EXPEKIMENT STATION UK<^()KD. 



iialol by till- selection of jireeiiish grain. sun coiujJaiHMl with strains derived from yellow- 

 ish kernels. The greater i)roduetiveness of the progeny of the green kernels, was 

 most apparent where the plant food supjjly of the soil was smallest. 



01 nervations were also made to determine the relation ])etween the color of the 

 grain and the form of the head. Former experiments have indicated that apparently 

 there is a relation l)et\veen green grains and short and compact heads, and yellow 

 grains and long loose heads. The author does not consider this relation a very close 

 one, because it is observed only in classifications based on thecomjiactnessand length 

 of the si)ike and never becomes apparent where th(.' classilication is made according 

 to the cok>r of the grain. This feature is not regarded as hereditary. The strains 

 with the least comjiact heads were the most productive. The author concludes that 

 breeding for green grain and, within certain limits, for loose heads may be done 

 simultaneously without connecting these two characters. 



The cultivation of sisal in Hawaii, F. E. Conter {Ilaimii Sta. Bui. 4, l>p- 31, 

 tiijs. !)). — This bulletin after briefly noting the history of the sisal industry and 

 describing the 2 varieties, Agave rigida elonguta and Agave rigida sisalaiia, contains 

 an account of the culture of sisal and its preparation for market, with notes on the 

 diseases and insect enemies of the plant and the prospect of the sisal industry in 

 Hawaii. 



Culture and composition of the soy bean, G. Lechartiek {Ann. Sci. Agron., 2 

 sei:, 1 {1903), Nu. 3, pp. 3S0-396). — The results of culture and fertilizer experiments 

 in progress for several years are reported, and analytical data for the green crop and 

 the ripe seed are given in tables. It is estimated that the soy bean is capable of 

 producing under the climatic conditions of Brittany a yield of 20,000 to 30,000 kg. of 

 green forage per hectare. When sown in April the crop can be utilized in Septem- 

 ber. The pods were found to constitute about one-third of the. entire crop by weight. 

 The analyses presented show that the pods contain more nitrogenous matter and 

 more fat than the stalks and leaves. The seed is especially rich in tliese substances 

 and is considered superior in this respect to that of other leguminous crops. 



The yields of seed in the experiments varied from 1,500 to 1,800 kg. per hectare. 

 The seed did not mature completely in Brittany in cool and moist seasons, and for 

 this reason the culture of this crop for the seed is considered Ijetter adapted to the 

 warmer and drier provinces of France. It is concluded from the result that the 

 yield of 2,000 to 3,000 kg. of green crop withdraws from the soil 32 to 48 kg. of phos- 

 phoric acid, 125 to 188 kg. of lime, 41 to 62 kg. of magnesia, and 71 to 106 kg. of 

 potash per hectare. These figures for i^hosphoric acid and potash corresi)ond to 200 

 to 300 kg. of superphosi)hate and a maximum quantity of 200 kg. of chlorid of potash. 

 The crop contains from 100 to 150 kg. of nitrogen per hectare. From 100 to 200 kg. 

 of nitrate of soda per hectare is thought to be the proper quantity of nitrogenous 

 fertilizer for the crop. 



Sugarhouse refuse as a fertilizer for sugar beets, F. Strohmer ( Mitt. Chem. 

 Tech. Vers. Stat. Centralnr. Riibenz. Ind. Oesterr.-Ungar., 1903, No. 149, pp. 1-31). — 

 Results obtained in 1902 are reported, but in summarizing the work the results of 

 the previous year are also taken into consideration. In no case did the use of sugar- 

 house refuse prove injurious to the quality of the beets. The substance did not show 

 any special advantage, l)ut is regarded of value simply for the nitrogen and potash it 

 contains. The nitrogen of the refuse acts like the nitrogen given in the form of 

 nitrate of soda, and the potash similar to the potash given in the form of the 

 sulphate. 



Beets for distillery and forage purposes, L. Malpe.vux {La bctterave de disiU- 

 lerie et la hetterave fonrragire. Paris: Ifassoa A Co., j^p- 194, .figs- 13). — A popular 

 treatise on the history and culture of beets for distillery and forage purposes. 

 Chapters are also given on the feeding of beets and the manufacture of alcohol. 



The California sugar industry, G. W. Shaw {Califurnia Sta. Bid. 149, pj). 54, 



