FIELD CROPS. 355 



uses of corn, saccharine and nonsaccharine sorghums, rape, oats and peas, sand 

 vetches, spurry, millet, winter rye, and root crops in South Dakota. In connection 

 with this discussion some of the results obtained at the station with these crops dur- 

 ing the last 10 years are briefly reviewed. Directions are given for the extermina- 

 tion of weeds in pastures by sheep, and a scheme of cropping is suggested which it 

 is believed would furnish green forage continuously throughout the season. 



Of all the grasses grown for pasture at the station, Broinus inennv^ is reported as 

 having given the best results. In 1896 experiments were made with corn and 

 sorghums grown for silage and for seed. The yields, together with the quantity of 

 seed sown per acre of corn, Kafir corn, Jerusalem corn, amber cane, and yellow 

 millo maize are tabulated. Amber cane stood first, with a yield of 6,850 lbs. of 

 green forage per acre, and Jerusalem corn ranked last, with a yield of 3,075 lbs., while 

 corn gave about an average between the two. 



The results in the test for seed production were largely in favor of corn as com- 

 pared with Kafir corn and Jerusalem corn. Early Essex and Victoria rape were 

 found equally good. A mixture of 2 bu. of vetch and 1 bu. of oats sown at the rate 

 of 120 lbs. per acre produced 18,440 lbs. of green forage per acre. Vetch grown 

 alone yielded about 5 tons of green forage, which amounted to 2,532 lbs. of hay per 

 acre. Spurry, 7 weeks after sowing, yielded 18,680 lbs. of green forage, or 2,920 lbs. 

 of dry feed per acre. Three varieties of winter rye sown in the fall came through 

 a severe winter in almost perfect condition. 



Some native and exotic grasses at Bathurst Farm, R. W. Peacock {Agr. Gaz. 

 New South Wales, 14 {190S), Xo. 7, pp. 579-58S, figs. 11).— The adaptability of differ- 

 ent grasses to Australian conditions as observed at the farm is discussed and the value 

 of each species is briefly noted. 



Nitrate of soda and muriate of potash as top-dressing for grass land, C. D. 

 Woons [Maine Sta. Bui. 94, pp. 107, 108). — A brief account is given of an experiment 

 in applying these substances in solution by means of an automatic spray j^ump, such 

 as is used for spraying potatoes. The season was unfavorable and the potash seems 

 to have been of no benefit, but tlie nitrate of soda was probably profitable. 



Hydrocyanic acid in fodder plants, J. C. BRtJNNicH [Jour. Chem. Soc. [London], 

 83 {1903), No. 488, pp. 788-796). — The author made a study of the conditions under 

 which hydrocyanic acid is formed in sorghum and other plants. It was found that 

 the amount of hydrocyanic acid gradually diminishes as the crop matures, but it was 

 impossible to state at what age the cro^) becomes absolutely safe for use. As a rule, 

 however, it may be assumed that sorghum is safe for fodder as soon as the seeds are 

 fully developed. Drying sorghum does not remove the hydrocyanic acid. The 

 amount of poison appears to be increased by the use of heavy nitrogenous fertilizers. 

 A certain amount of the poisonous glucosid was found in corn in various stages until 

 the formation of the cobs, but never in dangerous quantities. The author recom- 

 mends that all forage plants related to sorghum should be used with discretion in 

 the green or dried state and should not be fed in an immature stage or to animals 

 which have fasted for a long time. 



A monograph on rice, C. D. (tirola ( Monografla del. arroz. Buenos Ayres: Min. 

 Agr., 1899, pp. 65, figs. 5). — After giving brief general notes on the rice plant the 

 author discusses the climatic conditions suitable to the culture of the plant, describes 

 different species and varieties under cultivation, and gives directions for the culture 

 and harvesting of the crop with special reference to Argentine Republic. The com- 

 position of a number of varieties is shown in tables. The culture of rice in different 

 countries is Ijriefly noted. 



Variety tests with rye, E. Sierig {Deut. Landw. Presse, 30 {1903), No. 72, p. 

 ei"/).— Eight varieties were under test; the yields are given and the growth of the 

 different varieties is compared. An application of 100 kg. nitrate of soda per hectare 

 seemed to be the maximum utilized by Hanna, Petkus, Pima, and Selchow, while 



11776— No. 4—03 4 



