FIELD CROPS. 655 



applications of ammonium sulphate furnished the Bame quantities of nitrogen. The 

 yields obtained with the heavier applications were practically the same, while with 

 the lighter applications of sulphate of ammonia the yield of roots was only 75 per 

 oenl of thai w ith the nitrate of soda and of grain 67 per cent, bo thai on the whole 

 nitrate of soda proved the more profitable. 



Experiments with oats on a clay soil 1"\\ in nitrogen indicated thai calcium 

 cyanamid, which decomposes in the Boil and gives off ammonia, approximates 

 ammonium sulphate in fertilizer value. 



The average results of 9 series of experiments with oats <»n humus soils Bhowed 

 that superphosphate and WTborgh phosphate were aboul equal in value, while 

 Bteamed bone meal and raw bone meal were inferior to these 2 soluble phosphat 



The kernel weighl of the grain crops was considerably higher on the fertilized plats 

 than on the check plats. The average weight in 31 series of experiments of L,000 

 of the kernels in the check tests was 45.22 gm. and for the plats receiving the 

 heaviest fertilization, 47.06 gm. In 20 series of barley experiments 1,000 grains on 

 the control plats weighed 45.01 and on the fertilized plats 16.79 gm. The Lowest 

 kernel weights were obtained with the heaviest application of phosphatic fertilizers, 

 indicating that phosphoric acid hastens the maturity of the grain and shortens the 

 growing period, so that a smaller amount of starch is deposited in the kernels than 

 when a well-balanced fertilizer is applied. — f. w. woll. 



Report of the government agrostologist and botanist for the year ending 

 June 30, 1904, J. Buktt-Davy ( Transvaal Dept. Agr. Ann. Rpt. 1904, pp. 261-820, 

 pis. .'1. maps 5). — This report contains brief notes on the different field and forage 

 crops tested during the year, and a review of observations on the stock range and 

 native economic plants. 



The author points out the wastefulness of veld burning, which is practiced all over 

 the Transvaal for the purpose of destroying the ticks and of providing early green 

 feed. A list of noxious weeds is given, and the more important species are discussed. 



The effect of press drilling on grain crops in 1904-5, Falke {Beat. Landw. 

 Presse, 32 (1905), Xos. 74, pp. 626, 627; 75, pp. 629, 630). — Comparative and coop- 

 erative tests made with press drilling spring and w inter wheat, winter rye, and win- 

 ter barley resulted in every case in higher yields than those Obtained from ordinary 

 drilling, hut the increase was not uniformly large. 



The press-drilled plats showed a quicker and more even growth, and stronger as 

 well as better developed plants in both fall and spring, than the plats drilled in the 

 ordinary way. Not only did press drilling increase the yield when the precipitation 

 was scant, but also when the rainfall was quite ample. In one test on a light soil 

 well provided with moisture an increase of 21.9 per cent in the yield of grain was 

 secured. 



Farm grasses of the United States, W. .1. Spillman I New York: Orart<j< Judd 

 Co.; London: KeganPaul, Trench, Trubner&Co., Ltd., 1905, pp. XII 948, figs. 54)- — 

 This book is a practical treatise on the grass crop and contains directions for the 

 seeding and management of meadows and pastures, descriptions of the best varieties 

 of grasses and their distribution, discussions on grass seed and its impurities, a con- 

 sideration of grasses for special conditions such as wet, dry, and sandy lands and 

 alkali soils, ami an outline on lawn making. Notes on commercial grades of hay 

 and straw and rules for measuring hay in the stack are given, and the improvement 

 of grass is discussed. 



The cause of growth in barley, YV. WiNDiBCE and K. Schonewaud [Wchnschr. 

 Brau., .'? (1905), X<>. /.;.• abs. in Biochem. Centbl., 4 {1905), No. l f p. 24). — It was 

 found that barley sterilized by means of an alcoholic solution of corrosive sublimate 

 germinated as readily as unsterilized barley. This work was done to test Nilson's 

 theory that certain acid-producing bacteria found on the hulls of barley are necessary 

 for germination. 



