358 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The manufacture of cane sirup, H. II. IIakkington {Tc.nix Sta. Bid. r,S,pp. 20, 

 figs. 12). — After briefly noting the manufacture of glucose sirup this t)ulletin discusses 

 the culture of sugar cane for sirup making and describes the niamifacture of the 

 product. A plan of a sirup mill is shown. The chemical composition of cane, sor- 

 ghum, maple, and glucose sirups is given in a table. 



The cultivation and treatment of the Kumara (sweet potato) by the primi- 

 tive Maoris, Walsh ( Tram, and Proc. Netr Zealand Inst., 35 {1902), pp. 12-24). — The 

 mi'tliods of cultivating the sweet potato {Ipormea ehrijsnrrMza) grown 'hy the New 

 Zealand natives before the introduction of European foods are described, as well as 

 nietiiods of harvesting, storing, and cooking. 



Tobacco, O. J. A. Collet (Le tahac. Paris: Augusiin Challamel; Brussels: Falk, 

 1903, pip. 282, ph. 30, figs. 34) ■ — A detailed description of the tobacco industry on the 

 eastern coast of Sumatra, with special reference to Deli. 



Fertilizer experiments with tobacco in Japan, M. Lehmann {Landir. Vers. 

 Stat., 58 {1903), No. 5-6, pp. 439-470; ahs. in Deid. Landw. Presse, 30 {1903), No. 74, 

 p. 643) . — Fertilizer experiments conducted during 1900 and 1901 are described and 

 the results and conclusions reported. The tobacco plants under investigation were 

 grown in wooden frames and pots. The work will l)e repeated to determine whether 

 the results thus far obtained will be confirmed by the results of future tests. 



The tobacco ])lants seemed to be more in need of nitrogen than of either potash or 

 phosphoric acid. The nitrogen was required in equal degree by all parts of the 

 plant, while potash was apparently mainly utilized by the leaves and roots and phos- 

 phoric acid by the stems. After nitrogen, potash was most needed and its effect was 

 especially marked immediately after transj^lanting. The best results with the differ- 

 ent nitrogenous fertilizers applied were obtained wath nitrate of soda, but satisfactory 

 returns were also obtained where sxdphate of ammonia and dried blood were used. 

 The tobacco fertilized with dried blood showed an especially good glow. Of the vari- 

 ous potash fertilizers, "martellin" seemed to be decidedly the best, followed by 

 wood ashes, nitrate of soda, and carbonate of potash in the order named. 



Liming the soil appeared advantageous to the plants during early development, 

 but later on its influence seemed to cease and the difference between plants in limed 

 and unlimed soil gradually disappeared. It is, however, recommended that the lime 

 supply of the soil be not allowed to become exhausted, because a strong development 

 in the early stages of growth gives to the plant greater resistance to injurious agents. 



Soy-bean cake was apparently more economical as a tobacco fertilizer than rape 

 cake, and this is considered of importance to Japanese agriculture, because soy-bean 

 cake is much the cheaper. The glow of tobacco fertilized with soy-bean cake was 

 very good. "Martellin" and carbonate of potash also seemed to have a good effect 

 on the glow, while the chlorids and sulphates apparently reduced or totally destroyed 

 it. Very heavy applications of fertilizers are considered injurious on account of the 

 resulting high-water content of the leaves and stronger development of the roots and 

 stems at the expense of the leaves. From 0.5 to 2 per cent of perchlorate in nitrate 

 of soda did not seem to act injuriously. The results indicate that the perchlorate in 

 this proportion had a favorable effect on the development of the leaves and especially 

 of the roots. 



Description of wheat varieties, C. S. Scofield {U. S. Dept. Agr., Bureau of 

 Plant Indnxtrg Bui. 47, pp. 19, pis. 7). — This iHilletin presents a form on which are 

 given in regular order a list of adjectives considered of the most importance in describ- 

 ing a variety of wheat, together with an explanation of all the listed terms. The 

 adjectives proposed for use in variety descriptions are grouped under the following 

 heads: Young stool; half -grown plant; mature plant; head (field notes); head (lab- 

 oratory notes); awns; spikelet; grain; milling qualities; general characteristics. 



The stooling of wheat, F. Antonis ( Ann. Sta. Agron. Oise [ France'] , 1903, No. 35, 

 pp. 11-13). — A discussion of the subject which chronicles an instance of a stool of 

 wheat yielding 4,875 grains from one grain of seed. 



