FIELD CEOPS. 573 



These differences in the results are considered due to the action of lime on the min- 

 eral constituents of the soil in some cases, and on the nitrogenous organic substances 

 in others. 



Wheat and yellow lupines gave an increase in yield as the amounts of lime applied 

 were increased to 1 per cent of the weight of the soil. This result with lupines was 

 unexpected. In acid clayey soils, oats was benefited when lime was applied at the 

 rate of i or 2 per cent of the soil weight, but when the lime was increased to 1 per 

 cent the yield was greatly reduced. From these experiments the author concludes 

 that lime on other than sandy soil may be beneficial to lupines, while on some soils 

 too great amounts may prove injurious to cereals. In studying the influence of lime 

 on the nitrogen content of the soil in the absence of plants the author found that an 

 application of 0.2 per cent of the soil weight very appreciably increased nitrification 

 in chernozem soil. — p. fireman. 



Top-dressing: for moorland pastures, H. von Feilitzen {Svensk. MossktUt. 

 Tidskr., 16 {1902), No. 2, pp. 171-185). — The results of cooperative fertilizer experi- 

 ments on 24 different farms during the year 1901 indicate that top-dressing moorland 

 pastures is profitable. 



The author states that, if the moor is of such a character that a yield of about 4,450 

 lbs. per acre may be expected, an application of about 85 IIjs. of potash per acre with 

 large quantities of phosphoric acid is advisable during the first years of cultivation. 

 The application can later be decreased to such (juantities as are taken off in the hay 

 crop or washed out with the rainfall. From 30 to 35 lbs. of phosphoric acid per acre 

 is considered an average application. On land kept in grass for several years a top- 

 dressing with barnyard manure or compost has proved advantageous, especially on 

 incompletely decayed moors. — f. w. woll. 



On the improvement of natural meadows on humus soils, H. von Feilitzen 

 and R. Tolf {Svensk. MosskuU. Tidskr., 16 {1902), No. 4, pp. 311-322). 



Cooperative forage experiments in Southern Victoria, F. J. Howell {Jour. 

 Dept. Agr. Victoria, 2 {1903), No. 2, pp. 97-120, pis, 13).— Corn, Amber cane, teo- 

 sinte, Egyptian corn, Kafir corn. Pearl millet, mangels, beets, and alfalfa were tested, 

 and the yields together with the increase on plats receiving commercial fertilizers are 

 given in tables. Brief notes on the tests and apparent value of the different crops 

 are presented. 



The experiments showed that these crops may be grown in succession and sup- 

 ply green forage from the time the spring pastures fail until early-sown winter crops 

 are available. For improvement of corn for forage a greater stooling tendency and a 

 larger proportion of leaf are considered requisite. Amber-cane sorghum and Japan- 

 ese millet proved successful, and rai)e produced very* large yields. For Long Eed 

 and Yellow Globe mangels, yields of 31.31 and 47.56 tons respectively are recorded. 

 The superior yield of the Yellow Globe is believed to be due to the fact that this 

 variety is better adapted to shallow and not very friable soils than the Long Red. 

 Rape and mangels showed the same wide range of adaptability to the soils of the 

 region. Cowpeas and soy beans gave promise of value; and the use of commercial 

 fertilizers on soils of poor and medium quality producing forage crops was found 

 profitable. 



Forage plants, D. O. Nourse ( Virginia Sta. Bui. 145, pp. 15-19).— This bulletin 

 presents in brief notes the results obtained with a number of forage crops at the sta- 

 tion in 1901 and 1902. Several varieties of sorghum, cowpeas, and soy beans were 

 grown in this connection. 



Competitive culture of fodder beets, E. Voglino {Concorso per la coltimzione 

 delle hariiahielole daforraggio. Turin: <1. Deremi, 1903, pp. 27, fig. 1). — Nine varieties 

 of f(j(lder beets were grown in a prize contest and the methods of cultivation are 

 described and the results reported. The sugar content ranged from 3.66 to 8.28 per 

 cent, and the yields from 367 to 594 cwt. ner hectare. It is concluded from the 



