856 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



higher yields than cut sets, but the experiment did not show whether the lower 

 yield in the case of cut sets was due to the cutting or to the smaller quantity of 

 ±o<u\ used. 



The results of culture tests with sugar cane were in favor of the Poona 

 system of irrigation beds about 1»> ft. square and the Behar system of planting 

 in double lines in trendies 3 ft. wide, separated by ridges of equal width. 



Annual report of the Dumraon Experimental Farm for the year 1903^4, 

 1 ). X. Mooker.ti (Ann. Rpt. Dumraon Expt. Farm [India], 1903-4, l>l>- 9). — 

 A brief description of the farm, together with chemical analyses of the soil and 

 meteorological data for the season are given. The best yields of grain and 

 straw of paddy were secured where either 2,960 lbs. of cow manure or l;456 lbs. 

 of cow manure and 260 lbs. of castor cake were applied per acre. Among 6 

 varieties of paddy Sukbavel. a Bombay variety, and Badshabhog and Basmati, 

 Bengal varieties, gave the best yields. 



The highest yields of wheat for 2 successive years, as well as the best finan- 

 cial returns, were obtained on land fertilized with 0,084 lbs. of poudrette per 

 acre. The Behar and Poona systems of planting sugar cane showed an ad- 

 vantage over the local system of planting. Planting whole sets of potatoes 

 gave larger yields than the use of cut sets. The local variety of oats was 

 more productive of grain and straw than Canadian Welcome. 



Brief notes are also given on the culture of corn, mustard, rape, sweet pota- 

 toes, and forage crops. 



Successful yields of small grains, G. W. Carver (Alabama Tuskegee Sta. 

 BuL 8, pp. i<>. {iii*. 6). — Cultural tests with wheat, rye. barley, and oats are 

 reported, with estimates of cost of production and return. The results indi- 

 cated that for the small grains in that section deep plowing, clean seed, and 

 proper crop rotation arc essential to their profitable culture, and that a crop 

 of pea vines turned under is a very valuable fertilizer in this connection. 



Lodged grain, P. Harcoubt {Ann. Rpt. Ontario Agr. Col. an<l Expt. Farm. 

 ■ 11 (1905), i>i>. HI. 92). — In connection with a study of preventing the lodging 

 of oats the composition of the soil on which standing and lodged grain was 

 found was determined, and is reported in a table. The plats on which the grain 

 lodged contained the least lime and the most nitrogen. 



Nutrients taken up by plants in different stages of growth, PI. Wilfarth, 

 H. Romer. and G. Wimmeb (Landw. Vers. Stat., '»'•? i 1905), No. 1-2, pp. 1-70). — 

 Pot and field experiments were conducted for several years to study the quan- 

 tities of fertilizing materials taken up by different crops in various stages of 

 growth. The work is described and the analytical data secured are reported 

 in tables. 



Barley, spring wheat, peas, and mustard were found to have taken up the 

 maximum quantity of fertilizing materials at the time of blossoming, or at the 

 beginning of fruit formation. With the exception of phosphoric acid, part of 

 this quantity of food elements returned to the soil as the crops approached 

 maturity and this movement seemed to be dependent upon the supply of avail- 

 able plant food. As determined for potash, relatively larger amounts returned 

 to the soil when the supply was inadequate than when it was sufficient. 



Potatoes continued to take up plant food until ready to be harvested and a 

 return movement to the soil did not take place. When the food supply was 

 normal the quantity of dry matter increased until the plants were ripe. Starch 

 also increased up to maturity in all plants except mustard, in which fat is 

 substituted for the starch grains. 



Alfalfa, <;. A. Billings i Veto Jersey Stas. Hal. 190, />/). 1-19, pis. }>.— The 

 value of alfalfa as a forage crop is discussed and the methods of culture, includ- 



