FIELD CROPS. 181 



A preceding leguminous crop largely increased the yield of rye. The use of nitrogen 

 did not influence the proportion of grain to straw, bul where rye followed potatoes 

 the grain constituted 32.5 percent of the plant where nitrogen was applied, and 30 

 percent w here no nitrogen was given. Winter wheat after peas lodged on the nitrogen 

 plats, !>nt when following rape and flax nitrogen in the fertilizer application was 

 beneficial. 



When- potatoes were grown after beans potash was more effective than nitrogen, 

 but the highesl yields were secured where both elements were applied together, 

 while alter cereals the use of nitrogen gave a greater increase in yield than the use of 

 potash. 



Tests of the vitality of seed grain and other seeds, \V. T. Ellis [Canada 

 Expt. Forms Rpts. 1904, pp. /-'-/?).— This class of work, carried on at the Central 



Experimental Farm at < >ttaw a, is briefly described. 1 luring the Beast >n 2,285 samples 



Of seeds were tested, and tables are given summarizing the results ;is a whole, as well 



as the results with wheat, barley, and oats for each province. 



Trials of varieties of barleys | County Norlhumb. Ed. Com., Ann. Rpt. 1904, pp. 

 89-44). — Of 6 varieties Chevalier, Goldthorpe, and Golden Melon gave the highesl 

 yields of grain and straw. Chevalier also stood first in the percentage of germination. 

 Bowing in drills 12 in. apart showed a slight advantage in yield of grain and straw, 

 and in weight per bushel, over sowing in drills »> in. apart, hut the narrower drilling 

 gave a little more good grain than the other. 



The castor oil industry, (\ M. Daugherty ( U. S. Dept. Agr. Yearbook 1904, pp. 

 V87-291). — This article discusses the manufacture and uses of castor oil, the sources 

 of supply of castor beans, and the distribution of the crop. The production of castor 

 beans in the United States since the Civil War is reviewed. 



Improved methods of corn growing and intense cultivation, J. B. Arm- 

 strong [Shenandoah, Iowa: Author [1905], pp. 156, pi l,figs. IS).— A popular book 

 treating of subjects of general interest to the tanner, and discussing more in detail 

 and at greater length the culture of corn and potatoes. 



Cotton cultivation [Buenos Ayres: Argentina Dept. Agr., 1904, }>]>■ 7). — A brief 

 discussion of cotton culture in Argentina. Sea Island cotton as well as a number of 

 upland varieties, including Peerless, Peterkin, and Russell Big Bdll, are reported to 

 have been introduced from the United states. 



Relation of weather conditions to growth and development of cotton, .1. I'.. 

 IIarbury i U. S. Dept. Agr. Yearbook 1904, />/>■ 141-150, <l<ims. 6).— This article dis- 

 l OSSes t he influence of moisture and of sunshine on the yield of cotton, and review - 

 the weather conditions throughout the cotton belt for the years of Lrreatest and of 



smallest yields in the decade beginning with 1893. Diagrams are given comparing 

 the precipitation for the months of June, July, August, and September, and the 

 yields of cotton for the years 1893 to pin:;, inclusive. The climatic conditions of each 

 year are considered with relation to the yield, hut no general deductions are drawn. 



Cotton culture in Guatemala, < >. K. Cook i U. 8. Dept. Agr. Yearbook 1904, pp. 

 $76-488, pis. ./. fig. 1). — The native agriculture of Guatemala and cotton culture as 

 practiced by the Kekchi Indians is described and the kelep in its relation to c, tton 

 growing is discussed. The introduction of the kelep into the United States with a 

 view to demonstrating the possibility of keeping the cotton boll weevil in check is 

 also briefly noted. 



In discussing the American origin of upland cotton the author concludes that "the 

 upland cotton which Linnseus correctly recognized as distinct from the Old World 

 farbaceum, and to which he gave the Latin name Gossypium hirsutum, is a native of 

 tropical America Both the upland and the Sea Island cottons were originally 

 described from the West Indies ' 



Report of experiments with forage crops at the coast land experiment 

 station, 1904, J. s. Newman and W. I>. Garrison {South Carolina Sta. Bul. 103, 



