354 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The effect of breeding in clianging the composition of the different physical i)arts 

 of the kernel is shown by tlie fact that the germs from the low-oil corn contained 

 about 25 per cent of oil and those from the high-oil corn nearly 42 par cent, while 

 the endosperms from the low-protein ears contained less than 6 per cent of protein 

 and those from the high-i)rotein ears nearly 14 per cent. Results further show that 

 breeding for high or low protein produced no marked effect upon the ash content or 

 the oil content of either the germs or the endosperms, and that it only slightly 

 influenced the protein content of the germs. As calculated on the basis of 100 lbs. 

 of corn, there was a maximum difference of only 0.75 lb. of protein in the germs 

 from 100 lb.«. of low-protein and high-protein corn, and a difference of 7.06 lbs. of 

 protein in the endosperms. 



The composition of parts of the corn kernel separated l)y hominy mills is com- 

 pared with the composition of these same parts separated by hand. 



Field experiments ■with maize, G. L. Sutton {Agr. Gnz. New South Wales, 14 

 {1903) , No. 7, pp. 6.56-664, figs. 19). — Descriptions of 25 varieties of corn tested at the 

 Hawkesbury Experimental Farm in 1902 and 1903 are given. The details enumer- 

 ated have reference mainly to the ear. A number of the varieties were imported 

 from the United States. 



Why popcorn pops, 31. I. Wilbert (Amer. Jour. Pharm., 75 {1903), No. 2, pp. 

 77-79). — Observation and experiment led the author to the conclusion that the pop- 

 ping of popcorn is caused by the expansion of moisture in the starch cells. It was 

 found that old and dry corn did not pop readily. Such corn " will at best only split 

 open from a number of cells near the center of the corn kernel. If the application of 

 heat be made slowly, it is possible to dry the kernels of corn, parch, and even char 

 them without rupturing the outer coat in any way." 



It was also noted that "at the base of the kernels, or at the point of attachment to 

 the cob, the cells are less compact and are seldom, if ever, ruptured by the generated 

 steam. It is from this point too that the kernels of corn appear to dry most rapidly. ' ' 

 The bearing of this point on the theoiy that popping is caused by an explosion of 

 steam is found in the fact that " popcorn invariably l)ursts first at the densest portion 

 of the kernel, and never at or near its base or point of attachment." 



When old and dry corn was soaked for 12 hours and then dried for an equal time 

 it did not pop well. If kernels were allowed to dry on the surface for 24 hours 

 longer "the resulting kernels of popped corn were not only very large, light and 

 flaky, but had absolutely no suggestion of toughness." 



As regards the loss of weight in popping, the author noted that 100 grains of whole 

 or unpopped corn weighed 13 gm., the same quantity partially popped 11 gm., fully 

 popped 9.2 gm., and dried and parched 7.5 gm. 



The author states that studies should be made of the changes in cell structure 

 caused by popping, as well as determinations of the amount of material rendered 

 soluble by the heating of the starch. 



Cotton in the United States, Y. Henry {Le colon aux Etats-Unis. Paris: Angus- 

 tin C'haUamel, 1903, pp. 61, fig. 1, maps 3). — A brief review of cotton culture in the 

 United States, including descriptions of a number of varieties grouped according to 

 the period of their maturity. 



Experimental investigations on hemp, M. Molliard [Bui. Soc. Bot. France, 

 50 {1903), No. 2, pp. 204-313). — The influence of the size, number, and weight of 

 the akenes on crop production of hemp is shown, as well as the effect of soil, humidity, 

 light, etc., on the growth and seed production. The effect of the weight of seed on 

 the sexuality of the plants was investigated, and while the weight of the seed 

 seemed to have an influence on determining the sex of the plants, the results obtained 

 were not sufficiently marked to warrant generalization in this respect. 



Pasture and forage plants for South Dakota, E. C. Chilcott {South Dakota 

 Sta. Bui. 81, 2)p. 1-36). — This bulletin discusses in a popular manner the culture and 



