FIELD CEOPS. 665 



region. Nitrate of soda in ordinary seasons is regarded as being the more effective in 

 increasing the yield of grain and straw, but as showing a lesser influence with regard 

 to quality of grain. 



On light gra.velly land a complete application of commercial fertilizers for cereals 

 was unprofita1)le, and pasturing a crop of green mustard proved of greater advantage 

 than plowing it nnder. 



Cooperative fertilizer experiments with, potash in Alsace-Lorraine, A. 

 Wolf {Deut. Landw. Presse, SI {1904), No. 1, pp. 3, 4, figs. 8). — In these experiments 

 barley, potatoes, and fodder beets were grown on light and heavy soils, and clover 

 on heavy soils only. Each test consisted of a check plat, 1 plat receiving super- 

 phosphate or Thomas slag and nitrate of soda, and another receiving, iji addition to 

 these, either 40 per cent potash salt or kainit. The clover received no nitrogen. In 

 all the experiments the application of potash resulted in a profit. The most profit- 

 able resnlts in the series were obtained from fodder beets on light soil, receiving an 

 application of 450 kg. of superphosphate, 400 kg. of nitrate of soda, and 300 kg. of 

 40 per cent potash salt per hectare. Potash also gave very profitable results on both 

 kinds of soil when used as a fertilizer for potatoes in combination with nitrate of 

 soda and superphosphate. 



Cooperative experiments in top-dressing- grass land, H. J. Wheeler {Rhode 

 Island Sta. Bid. 95, pp. 19). — Previous work of this character has been noted (E. S. E., 

 15, p. 32) . In 1902 cooperative experiments were conducted on 11 farms, in various 

 sections of the State. The application used as a top-dressing during the latter part 

 of April consisted of 350 lbs. nitrate of soda, 300 lbs. muriate of potash, and 600 lbs. 

 acid phosphate per acre. 



Results obtained at the station indicate that a reduction of 50 to 100 lbs. in the 

 quantity of muriate of potash and of 100 lbs. in the quantity of acid phosphate applied 

 would have been more profitable. The experiments in general showed the necessity 

 of carefully preparing the seed bed and of seeding heavily for the purpose of obtain- 

 ing a good stand of grass. The greatest loss per acre in the tests was $11.23 and the 

 greatest net profit $23.59; the next greatest loss and gain were $5.18 and $18.64 per 

 acre, respectively. In some of the experiments, owing to the natural fertility of the 

 soil and the kinds of grass grown, smaller applications would have been profitable 

 where the full application resulted in a loss. The average result of all experiments, 

 estimating the hay at $16 per ton, shows a net profit of $3.60 per acre and a return 

 of 20.9 per cent on the investment in top-dressing. In addition to the report on the 

 experiments, directions for grass culture in Rhode Island are given. 



Composition of the oils contained in the seed of Robinia pseudacacia, 

 Caragana arborescens, Trifolium repens, and T. pratense, V. Jones {Ahs. in 

 Chern. Ztg., 27 {1903), No. 93, Repert. 21, p. 302). — Brief notes are given on the com- 

 position of the oils in the seeds of the different plants. Tlie oil in the seed of red 

 clover belongs to the series which unites the drying and nondrying oils. The solid 

 fatty acids in the oil of this seed contain palmitic and stearic acids and the liquid 

 fatty acids, oleic and linoleic acids, the oleic being predominant. The oil in the seed 

 of white clover was of the same composition, with the exception that it contained a 

 higher percentage of oleic acid. 



The content of dry matter, sugar, and nitrogen compounds in fodder 

 beets at different stages of growth, J. A. Le Clerc {Landiv. Vers. Stat., 39 [1903), 

 No. 1-2, pp. 27-81; ahs. in Chem. Centhl., 1903, II, No. 23, p. 1291).— This article has 

 been noted from another source (E. R. R., 15, p. 351). 



Culture experiments with red clover from different countries, (iisevius 

 {Arb. iJevt. Landw. GcselL, 190.3, No. 83, pj). 182). — Under the direction of the Ger- 

 man Agricultural vSociety cooperative culture tests by 9 different experimenters were 

 made with red-clover seed from Germany, Russia, Austria, Italy, France, Canada, 

 and the United States. The collection of seed represented 15 different sources, and 



