FIELD CROPS. 245 



in breeding Petkus rye by selecting differently colored grains for seed are briefly 

 reviewed, and the results Becured up to date are summarized. 



Green-colored grains showed an indefinite transmission of the color, the progeny 

 varying from green to a dull gray. As the dullness of the color in the Kernel In -can if 

 more distinct the power of transmitting the color was apparently decreased. Yellow 

 kernels did uot readily transmil their color, but in some stools it was found to be 

 very definite and showed regular progress. Bluish and brown veins were very strong 

 in transmission of color. 



Plants from short grains showed a marked reduction in the length of the straw. 

 The longest straw was produced by the green-colored grains, followed by the blue, 

 yellow, and brown kernels, mentioned in decreasing order. The green-colored grains 

 produced a softer and looser straw than the other forms, while the straw from blue 



kernels was tough and hard. The hest formed culms and head- were found in the 



plants from blue seed, in weight of grain the browu group stood last 



Data on the comparative winter resistance of the different strains, obtained only 

 for the season of L903, showed that the blue Beed ranked first with 84.66 per cent, and 

 the short seed last with <>6 per cent of the stand secured in the fall. 



Method of tobacco-seed selection, W. W. Cobey {Maryland Sta. Bvl. 103, pp. 

 925-235, figs. ./). — This bulletin contains popular directions for the selection of seed 

 plants in the field, and the method of bagging the flower heads and securing the 

 seed. The work in tobacco-seed selection at this station is carried on in cooperation 

 with the Bureau of Plant Industry of this Department. 



Tobacco experiments, W. Fbeab ( Pennsylvania Sta. Rpt. 1904, PP- 30-39, pis. 

 12). — The work here reported represents shelter-tent experiments with Sumatra leaf. 



The site and the soil under which the experiments were conducted are described 

 and the method of constructing the tent over one-half acre of ground, with the out- 

 lay involved, is given in detail. The planting, cultivation, harvesting, curing, and 

 sweating of the crop are briefly discussed and the results are reported. The weighl 

 of the cured leaf produced was 856 lbs., which was reduced to S14 lbs. by sweating. 

 The sorting of the leaf as to color and size gave the following results: First quality — 

 light, 7..") per cent; medium, 22 per cent; dark. 12. V per cent. Second quality — light 

 seconds, L8.6 per cent; dark, L3.5; trash, 25.5 per cent. 



After the finishing sweat the tobacco was compared with Connecticut tent-grown 

 Sumatra of the same season. There was no apparent difference in the quality of the 

 2 lots, neither of which was considered equal to the imported article. In the opin- 

 ion of the author the results at present do not warrant the encouragement of this 

 method of culture, but indicate the desirability of continuing the experiments in a 

 more favorable season and possibly on lighter soil. 



Experiments with fertilizers on tobacco, C. E. Thobne | Ohio Sta. />'"/. /'</. 

 ;</'. 913-228, figs. .% dgms. ?). — Notes on the establishment of a test farm in the Miami 

 Valley to be devoted chiefly to work with tobacco are given, the plan of the fertilizer 

 experiments inaugurated is outlined, and the results thus far obtained are reported. 



In one series of experiments the tobacco is grown in a .'1-vear rotation with wheat 

 and clover, and in a second series it is grown continuously on the same land. As 

 the experiments have just been begun, only the most general conclusions are drawn. 

 Barnyard manure proved very effective and profitable. Commercial fertilizers also 

 produced a good effect, but the net gain was not so large as from barnyard manure. 



The results show that the greatest total yield and net profit were produced by a 

 fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphoric acid, ami potassium, in approximately the 

 ratio to each other in which they are found in barnyard manure. The large quantity 

 of nitrogen required in this application greatly increased the cost. As a carrier of 

 nitrogen, nitrate of soda appeared much more effective than tankage. 



Experiments in fertilizing- tobacco, C. Dubbeebb [Ami. Agr. Sitttae, 6 [1905), 

 No. 5, pp. 199-203). — A cooperative study was made of the effect of sulphate and 



