28 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



A form for registering the numbers and descriptions of all the seed ears used in 

 corn breeding and also for recording their performance records is given, together 

 with notes on the multiplying plat and the commercial field. Complete directions 

 for describing individual cars arc given and a method of keeping the performance 

 record of tield rows is illustrated. 



The manuring of cotton, G. P. Foaden (Khediv. Agr. Soc. [Pamphlet] 1, pp. 16, 

 figs. ,?).— The manuring of cotton is described and the effect of the different plant 

 food elements on the growth and development of the plant is pointed out. The 

 results of two different experiments showed that commercial fertilizers w T ere applied 

 with profit, The application used consisted of about 200 kg. of superphosphate, 70 

 kg. of nitrate of soda, and 30 kg. of sulphate of potash per acre. 



Notes on the bacteria active in flax retting, M. W. Beijerixck and A. van 

 Delden (K. Akad. Wetensch. Amsterdam, Proc. Sect. SeL, G (1904), pt .', pp. 4-62-481, 

 pi. l,figs. 4).— The author discusses the subject of flax retting, which is due largely 

 to the solution and softening of the rind of the flax stock by the removal of the 

 pectose, in consequence of which the bast bundles are separated. 



This retting is caused largely by the action of certain bacteria, and may be consid- 

 ered a form of pectose fermentation. Where the retting takes place in the tield it is 

 due to the action of various molds, bacteria, and other organisms, and the product is 

 of an unequal character. When, however, it takes place in water the organisms are 

 principally anaerobic bacteria, the chief of which is called Granulobacter pectinovo- 

 runi. The action of this organism and its associated forms is described at length. 



Selection of seed potatoes, F. Parisot (Jour. Agr. Prat., n. ser., 9 (1905), No. 6, 

 pp. 174-176). — The results of the experiments here reported indicated that the selec- 

 tion of seed potatoes, based on the size, composition, and hereditary characters of the 

 tubers and the number of eyes, is incomplete if no account is taken of a perfectly 

 healthy condition of the seed. Of normal tubers 81.2 per cent produced plants, 

 while of those not perfectly healthy only 41.6 per cent grew. The yield obtained 

 from normal tubers was nearly again as large as from the inferior tubers. 



Potato experiments at Pare des Princes, L. Grandeau (Jour. Agr. Prat., n. 

 ser., 9 (1905), No. 5, pp. 141, 142)- — Fertilizer experiments in 1904 with Thomas 

 slag and Cierp phosphate, and either one of these substances in combination with 

 nitrate of soda, sulphate of ammonia, and lime nitrogen are reported. 



The phosphatic fertilizers were given in quantities furnishing 200 and 300 kg. of 

 phosphoric acid per hectare, the larger quantity being applied inl902and the smaller 

 being given in 2 equal portions, one in 1902 and the other in 1904. The nitrogenous 

 fertilizers supplied 45 kg. of nitrogen per hectare. All plats had received a dressing 

 of 200 kg. of potash per hectare. 



The smaller application of Thomas slag produced a heavier yield than the larger 

 quantity, but in the case of Cierp phosphate the larger application gave the heavier 

 yield. The yields for the 2 phosphatic fertilizers taken together show the best results 

 from the use of 200 lbs. of phosphoric acid per hectare. The plats receiving Cierp 

 phosphate produced on an average 1,536 kg. of tubers per hectare less than the plats 

 receiving Thomas slag. The yields on plats given nitrate of soda, sulphate of ammo- 

 nia, and lime nitrogen were 11,258, 10,771, and 10,545 kg. per hectare, respectively. 

 An average yield of 5,499 kg. per hectare was obtained on the check plats. 



The degeneration of potatoes, P. Ehrenberg (Landw. Jahrb., So (1904), No. 6, 

 pp. 859-915, dgms. 4)- — This article discusses at some length the degeneration of 

 potato varieties as possibly due to continued propagation by means of the tubers, to 

 unfavorable local conditions, and to poor selection of seed tubers. The literature on 

 the subject as well as experiments along this line are reviewed. 



The author concludes that in all probability the age of a potato variety is not a 

 factor in its degeneration, but that unsuitable environment, especially a poorly 



