246 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



carbonate of potash used alone or with superphosphate. The quantities used per 

 hectare were as follows: Three hundred kg. of sulphate of potash; 246 kg. of car- 

 bonate of potash, in quantities furnishing 150 kg. of potash; and 500 kg. of super- 

 phosphate containing 75 kg. of phosphoric acid. A general dressing of barnyard 

 manure was given at the first plowing in the spring. 



In one of the tests superphosphate increased the yield of leaves, and sulphate and 

 carbonate of potash also produced a small increase. A second test gave inconclusive 

 results in this connection. The proportion of phosphoric acid in the leaves was not 

 at all increased in one test and but slightly in the other by the use of phosphatic 

 fertilizers. The lime content was slightly increased in the product from land ferti- 

 lized with superphosphate. 



The use of potash salts increased the potash content of the leaves. The super- 

 phosphate produced large leaves of good maturity and of good strength, while the 

 influence of potash salts was less marked. In general, the fertilizers applied did not 

 appreciably affect the burning quality. 



Winter wheat, T. L. Lyons and A. Keyser (Nebraska Sta. Bui. 89, pp. 52, jig. 

 j). — The results of variety tests of winter wheat in 1902, 1903, and 1904, conducted 

 in cooperation with this Department, are described. Among the varieties tested 4 

 were from Hungary and a large number from Russia. Previous accounts of these 

 varieties are recorded in a former bulletin (E. S. R., 14, p. 36). 



The results in general indicate that the variety best adapted to Nebraska is Turkish 

 Red, although Kharkof, one of the new Russian sorts, has proved hardier in the 

 extreme northern part of the State. Several of the Hungarian varieties, although 

 somewhat better in quality than Turkish Red, are later in maturing and consequently 

 less productive. It is reported that these late-maturing Hungarian and Russian 

 wdieats are becoming earlier and may, therefore, be of value. 



The observation of the station with reference to "yellow berry" in hard winter 

 wheat has led to the conclusion that the chief causes of this condition are allowing 

 the wheat to become overripe and the failure to stack the sheaves. As compared 

 with the hard, red normal kernels, these kernels or " yellow berries" have a lower 

 gluten content and are lighter in weight. 



Tests of seed wheat from various sources resulted in the best yields in every case 

 from locally grown seed of the same variety. In this test locally grown Turkish 

 Red seed yielded better than imported Crimean for each of the 3 years tested. 

 Turkish Red seed from western Kansas yielded nearly as well as Nebraska-grown 

 seed and was of better quality during the dry years, but suffered more from scab or 

 blight in 1903 and 1904. 



The importance of good tillage was shown by growing very poor seed w r heat on 

 well-tilled land, which resulted in a yield of several bushels more per acre than the 

 average of the county or State for each of 3 successive years. This favorable result 

 is ascribed to the rotation of crops, the use of barnyard manure, and good tillage. 

 In studying the effect of season and climate on the composition it was found that 

 wheat stores up more nitrogen in the form of protein in dry seasons and more starch 

 in wet seasons. 



The yautias, or taniers, of Porto Rico, (). W. Barrett (Porto Rico Sta. Bui. 6, 

 pp. 27, pis. 4)- — This bulletin gives a description of these plants in general and of the 

 various types in particular. 



The cultivated varieties of Porto Rico are classified under the following 6 types: 

 Blanca, Manola, Amarilla, Martinica, Vino, and Violacea. The semicultivated vari- 

 eties and the so-called false yautias are also noted. Cultural directions are given and 

 the uses of the plant are described. The plant proportions of the principal varieties 

 are reported as follows: 



