1060 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



not only the percentage. It was found that subsoiling for fodder beets increases the 

 average weight and size of the roots, gives much larger total yields, and decreases 

 the density and the percentage of dry matter, the beets being larger and containing 

 more water. Although the percentage of dry matter is lowered, the total yield is 

 generally increased, especially in dry years. A considerable increase in yield of 

 beets was also secured by irrigation. 



Corn culture, R. J. Redding {Georgia Sta. Bid. 69, pp. 41-60). — Twenty varieties 

 of corn tested in 1905 gave an average yield of 38 bu. per acre. The leading vari- 

 eties, Albemarle and Marlboro, yielded 47.36 and 46.20 bu. per acre, respectively. 



Residual effects of fertilizers applied to cotton in 1904 were not apparent in the 

 corn crop of 1905. The plants fertilized this year yielded an average of 30.24 bu. and 

 those not fertilized since 1904, 25.82 bu. per acre. This increase of 4.44 bu. from the 

 use of fertilizers was secured at a cost of 80 cts. per bushel. A second fertilizer test 

 gave similar results and it is concluded that the use of commercial fertilizers is not a 

 reliable means to permanently increase the productiveness of soils. 



Applying one-half of the quantity of cotton-seed meal at planting and one-half on 

 May 19 was found inexpedient. Substituting the equivalent in nitrate of soda for 

 one- half the quantity of cotton-seed meal did not prove profitable. As in previous 

 years, cotton-seed meal was more effective than cotton seed applied directly to corn. 



Corn improvement, J. A. Jeffery (Michigan Sta. Spec. Bid. 34, pp. 23, figs. 15). — 

 This bulletin is a popular discussion on the improvement of corn by a more care- 

 ful selection of seed and better cultivation. Directions are given for the selection, 

 storing, and testing of seed corn, and the different cultural operations connected with 

 growing the corn crop. Cross breeding corn for the improvement of quality and the 

 fixation of character are discussed and outlines for judging or scoring corn are given. 



Experiment with corn, G. A. Crosthwait (Idaho Sta. Rpt. 1905, pp. 33-35). — 

 In 1904 26 varieties secured from various sources were tested and the earliest ears 

 selected for seed. Seed was saved from 9 dent and 2 flint varieties. Only a few ears 

 were secured from each variety making seed, and 5 of those saved were from seed 

 grown near Moscow. In 1905 over 50 varieties were tested and seed selection was 

 made with reference to earliness. 



The germination of seed corn, J. W. T. Duvel (U. S. Dept. Agr., Farmer* 

 Bui. 253, pp. 16, figs. 4). — The value of making germination tests is pointed out and 

 complete directions for carrying on the work are given. Percentages of germination 

 of seed corn as determined in individual ear tests of 10 kernels each from the crop 

 of 1905 are shown in tables. 



Of 67 lots of corn secured from various sources in different States 60 showed an 

 average germination of less than 95 per cent, 48 of less than 90 per cent, and 10 of 

 less than 80 per cent. The average germination of all ears tested was 86.3 per cent. 

 The poorest lot contained only 2 good ears in 50, with 16 dead ears and an average 

 germination of 39.4 per cent. The best 2 lots germinated 97.8 and 97.3 per cent, 

 respectively, the first lot having 41 good ears in 50 and the second 42 in a possible 49. 

 Of the 3,322 ears tested 1,416 germinated 100 per cent. The average germination of 

 the remaining 1906 ears was only 77.7 per cent. This shows a gain of 13.7 per cent 

 by discarding ears of low vitality. 



Experiments with cotton and corn in 1905, J. F. Duggar and J. M. Richeson 

 {Alabama Canebrake Sta. Bui. 23, pp. 29). — Among the varieties of cotton grown, 

 Russell and Woodfin gave the largest yields on bottom lands and Woodfin and 

 Peterkin on poor upland. On bottom land Russell produced a crop valued at $55.56 

 per acre for lint and seed. On poor red upland the value of the crop of Woodfin, 

 the leading variety, was $18.31 per acre in lint and seed, with lint at 11 cts. per 

 pound and seed at 70 cts. per 100 lbs. Subsoiling for cotton which was done when 

 the subsoil was too wet gave unfavorable results. In 2 tests plowing 6i in. deep 

 resulted in the largest crop, but in 2 other tests no advantage from deep plowing 

 was derived. 



