FIELD CROPS. 659 



interior towns, on plantations, in mills, and in transit, and 176,655 bales of the crop 

 of L905 ginned to September 1. 



In addition to this supply, 124,469 bales of foreign cotton were imported. The 

 data with reference to the distribution -how that 8,834,929 bales were exported; 

 1^278,980 bales consumed by mills, about equally divided between mills in the North 

 and mills in the South, and thai 1,305,309 bales represented the stocks on hand 

 Augusl 31, 1905. The domestic consumption equaled aboul 30 percent ami the 

 exports about 61 per cent of the total supply for the year, Leaving a surplus of about 

 B per cent, including stocks in mills, at ports, in interior towns, on plantations, and 

 in transit. 



statistical data regarding the production, commerce, and manufacture Of cotton 

 art- given, and the growth of cotton production and consumption in the United States 

 as well as the world's cotton consumption and production by countries is tabulated 



and discussed. 



Distribution of cotton seed in 1904, II. J. Webbeb and A. J. Pieters | ! § 

 Jkpt. Agr., Bur. Plant Indus. [Oirc], Jan. 9, 1904; pp. 11, pis. 8).— The distribution 



of cotton seed in 1904, together with the varieties distributed, is described, direc- 

 tions for cultivation and ginning and for growing pure seed of good quality are given, 

 and the results desired for publication are outlined. 



Thirty-seventh annual report of the Flax Supply Association for the 

 Improvement of the Culture of Flax in Ireland (Ann. Rpt Flux Supply Assoc. 

 Ireland, 87 I 1904), pp. 64 + 46). — Statistics on the production, manufacture, exports, 

 and imports of flax for different counties are given for a series of years, including 

 1904. 



Information concerning- flax grown on the Russian steppes, A. Herzog 

 [Separate from Textil u. Farb. Ztg., .' (1904), No. 40, pp. 8, figs. ..').— A microscopical 

 and chemical study on Russian steppe-grown tlax is reported. 



The microscopical data include measurements of the bast cells and a comparison 

 of anatomical data with reference to this variety and Pernauer flax. The metrical 

 number, that is, the number of times the weight of a single dry fiber 1 km. in length 

 is contained in 1,000 gm., is given as follows: Russian flax 2,4H9; Pernauer flax, fiber 

 from the root 1,456, from the lower portion of the stem 2,198, from the middle por- 

 tion 3,992, and from the upper portion 7,407. 



The middle portion of the Russian flax contained 5.17 per cent of lignin, as com- 

 pared with 2.36 per cent for Pernauer flax. It is pointed out that the woodiness of 

 the fiber has an unfavorable influence on its softness, elasticity, and strength. The 

 Russian flax was also higher in the protein content of the dry matter of the fiber. 



Sets and their position in the soil as influencing the yield of potatoes, 

 A. Axdouard (Bui. Sta. Agron. Loire-lnf. } 1903-4, pp. 47-60) . — Experiments made 

 with whole and cut tubers showed that the position of the buds on the tubers and 

 the position of the tubers in the soil did not influence the yield to any appreciable 

 extent. 



The new potato, <i. Boxxier [Fermeset Chdteaux, 1 (1905), Xo. l,pp. 29,30, figs. 

 4). — The history of Solanum comrru rsonii is reviewed and the work carried on for the 

 improvement of the plant discussed. The aerial and underground tubers produced 

 by the plant are described and figured. The experimental work here referred to 

 has been previously noted ( E. S. R., 17, p. 244). 



Rye and some of its uses, J. M. Jamison (Breeder's Gaz., 48 (1905), Xo. 14. pp. 

 S80). — A method of growing rye and clover is described. 



The rye is fall sown and pastured during the winter and in the spring the land is 

 seeded at the rate of 1 pk. of clover seed per acre. The rye is allowed to ripen and 

 is then harvested by turning sheep and hogs into the field. This results in a heavy 

 volunteer crop mixed with the clover for fall pasture. The following season the clover 



