FIELD CKOPS. 349 



of some of the fundamental principles underlying the use of fertilizers and insecti- 

 cides, together with their chemical composition, and a Hst of dealers and agents who 

 handle commercial fertilizers in this State." Analyses of (37 sanij)les of fertilizers 

 and S) Hamj)]es of insecticides examined in accordance with State law, and 7 samples 

 of miscellaneous fertilizing materials, inc^luding tobacco waste, goat and sheep manure, 

 barnyard manure, and spent boneblack from a sugar refinery, are reported. 



Fertilizers, 1903, T. Macfaklane {Lab. Inland Eei\ Dept. Ottawa, Canada, ludS, 

 Bid. 86, pp. 41)- — Analyses are reported of 128 samples of fertilizing materials sent 

 to the department of internal revenue by manufacturers, importers, or vendors, in 

 accordance with the provisions of the fertilizer act of 1890, as representing the goods 

 to be offered for sale in Canada during the season of 1903-4. The tabulated analyses 

 are accompanied by notes on the extent of the fertilizer trade in Canada, on the 

 " citric soluble " phosphoric acid of fertilizers (that is, the phosphoric acid soluble 

 in 1 per cent citric acid), and on the use of fertilizers and manures in general, the 

 latter including determinations of moisture, ash, and nitrogen in 24 samples of peat 

 moss. 



Commercial fertilizers in Portugal, O. Klein [ZtHchr. Angetv. Chem., 16 (190,3), 

 No. 34, pp. <?5'9-6'5i).— Statistics of the trade are given. It is stated that from 75,000 

 to 80,000 tons of fertilizers are annually used in Portugal. 



Is the assimilation of free nitrogen due to bacteria or is this a chemical 

 process? II, A. A. Bonnema {Chem. Ztg., £7 {1903), No. 67, pp. 8^5, 826).— In 

 continuation of previous investigations (E. S. R., 14, p. 850) the author reports 

 observations on the iron content of the root tubercles of leguminous plants, which 

 he believes show that iron hydroxid is present in considerable amounts and is essen- 

 tial to the process of assimilation of free nitrogen by the root tubercle organisms. 



FIELD CROPS. 



Report of the Upper Peninsula Substation for the years 1901 and 1902, 



L. M. Geismar and C. D. Smith {Michigan Sta. Spec. Bid. 20, pp. 1-W).—Xtiev describ- 

 ing the station grounds and discussing the weather conditions which prevailed during 

 1901 and 1902, the authors report the results of culture tests with a large number of 

 cereal, forage, and horticultural crops. 



Of 4 varieties of winter wheat Dawson led, with a yield of 41 bu. per acre, fol- 

 lowed by International No. 6, with 33.23 bu. In the tests with Spring wheat for the 

 2 years, Wild Goose yielded from 6 to 10 j bu., Velvet Chaff over 19, Saskatchewan 

 Fife 12, and Minnesota No. 163 and Stanley each 17J bu. per acre. Nicaragua gave 

 a very small yield and Canadian Blue Democrat proved to be a weak variety. 



Plat tests were made with 10 varieties of barley in 1901 and 6 varieties in 1902. 

 The first season all varieties lodged badly. Swan, which seemed to have the stiffest 

 and longest straw, ripened earliest. The second year Manchuria led, with a yield 

 of 41.66 bu. per acre, followed by Oderbrucker, Canada Six-Rowed, French Cheva- 

 lier, and Canadian Thorp, with yields of 30.83, 25.5, 25.5, and 24.5 bu. per acre, 

 respectively. 



The season of 1901 was not very favorable for oats. Black Beauty and Daubeny 

 gave the best results in strength of straw and weight and yield of grain. These 2 

 varieties yielded over 42 bu. per acre, while Silver Mine ranking next in yield pro- 

 duced only 33.33 bu. In 1901, 5 varieties, Columbus, Black Beauty, Lincoln, Ameri- 

 can, Banner, and Dupauper, produced 63.75, 53.75, 52.50, 48.75, and 37.50 liu. per 

 acre, respectively. 



Among the large number of varieties of corn grown in 1901, (Hlman and Wernich 

 Sweet Pearl Dent proved superior. Neither in 1901 nor in 1902 did any variety 

 mature perfei;tly. Minnesota King came nearest to reaching maturity, followed by 



