32 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



sive, the average sugar content of the beets secured was 14.10 per cent, The aver- 

 age yields of beets and sugar as calculated amounted to 17.37 tons and 4,900 lbs. per 

 acre, respectively. 



According to the report on Wisconsin beet-sugar factories for 1904-5, 125,928 tons 

 of beets, containing an average of 14.4 per cent of sugar with an average purity of 

 83.7, were worked. The total acreage in 1904 was 14,400. Reports on 75 culture 

 tests in 1904 give information concerning methods of culture and show that, on an 

 average, 2.8 acres of beets were grown in each test, the average sugar content in the 

 beets being 15.1 per cent; the yield, 16.5 tons per acre; the net receipts, $70.57, and 

 the average expense, $29.09 per acre. 



Brief notes on the individual experiments and discussions on the soil and culture 

 requirements of the crop are given. The expense of growing an acre of beets is con- 

 sidered and compared with the cost of growing cereals, potatoes, and tobacco. The 

 fertility removed by different crops and the influence of a preceding crop on the 

 yield and quality of beets are shown in tables. The text of contracts in force 

 between the factory and the grower is given. 



Culture of tobacco, G. M. Odlum (London: British South Africa Co., 1905, pp. 185, 

 ph. 8, Jigs. 101). — A treatise on the culture of tobacco, in which the different phases 

 of the production, preparation, and marketing of the crop are discussed. In addi- 

 tion to treating of the tobacco plant and its varieties in relation to soil, climate and 

 cultural operations, its insect enemies, diseases, methods of curing, buildings for 

 curing, grading, and fermenting the leaf, packing and marketing the product, and 

 miscellaneous topics are considered. The book is a report on tobacco culture based 

 mainly on an investigation of the tobacco industry in America. 



Report on tobacco investigations in Wisconsin for 1903 and 1904, E. P. 

 Sandsten ( Wisconsin Sta. Bui. 124, pp. 45, figs. 13). — This bulletin is a report on 

 work in the improvement of Wisconsin tobacco seed, on fertilizer experiments, and 

 on growing Sumatra tobacco under cover. A preliminary report has been previously 

 noted (E. S. R., 16, p. 68). 



In addition to the experiments previously reported, fertilizer tests were made in 4 

 other localities. The soils and conditions were unlike, and the results are applica- 

 ble only to the particular localities in which the work was carried on. At Rio and 

 Westby the use of commercial fertilizers gave a smaller yield than that of barnyard 

 manure. Early in the season the plats receiving commercial fertilizers showed the 

 best growth, but later they were overtaken and outstripped by those receiving barn- 

 yard manure. 



At Soldier's Grove on sandy-loam soil in a high state of cultivation commercial 

 fertilizers gave better results than barnyard manure, the greatest gain, 508 lbs. per 

 acre, or 36 per cent, being secured from the plat receiving 300 lbs. of nitrate of soda 

 per acre. The plat treated with 200 lbs. each of nitrate of soda and sulphate of 

 potash per acre gave a smaller yield than the barnyard-manure plat, the manure 

 having been applied at the rate of 20 tons per acre. The results at Janesville were 

 not conclusive on account of the poor physical condition of the soil at planting. 

 The cost of commercial fertilizers and their influence on the burning quality of 

 tobacco is discussed. 



Experiments in growing Sumatra tobacco undercover were conducted in 1902 and 

 1903. Directions are given for tent construction, the culture of the crop, and its 

 fermentation. The total cost of growing 2 acres of Sumatra tobacco in 1902 and 1903 

 was $3,395.03, and the total net receipts were $1,681.27, or a net profit of $420.32 per 

 acre per year. The total yield of fermented tobacco was 2,314 lbs. in 1902 and 2,110 

 lbs. in 1903, which was sold at prices ranging from 50 cts. to $2 per pound. 



Tobacco investig-ations in Porto Rico during* 1903-4, J. van Leenhoff, Jr. 

 (Porto Rico Sta. Bui. 5, pp. 44, pis. 5, fig. 1). — The methods of tobacco growing now 

 practiced in Porto Rico are described. 



