FIELD CROPS. 1065 



also as explaining why beets fail to grow in certain places although little or no alkali 

 appears near the surface. The failure of plants, even though the Beed germinated 

 well and a good stand \\a> originally obtained, is also accounted for by this fact. In 

 these observations fair beets were found growing in soil with an average of 4,000 lbs. 

 of chlorids per acre-foot, and it was noticed that certain individuals have a much 

 greater resistance to alkali than others. It is believed thai the success of beet cul- 

 ture in regions with alkali -oils depends upon tin- proper Boil -election and the 

 development "fa more alkali-resistant beet 



Sugar beets in the San Joaquin Valley, < l. W. Sh \w i California Sta. Bui. 176 t 

 pp. 27, figs. 11). -The results of field observations and analyses connected therewith 

 since L902 are reported. 



In 1902 the average results of 9 tests showed a sugar content in the beet of L4.9 per 

 cent and a purity of 83.5, but the average yield was only 4.74 tons per acre. These 

 figures are regarded as showing that the general climate and soil conditions are suit- 

 able for the production of high-class sugar beets. The low tonnage was largely due 

 to late planting. A satisfactory yield can be obtained only by early planting, which 

 will allow the plants to make considerable growth before the hot weather of the 

 Bummer months. 



These conclusions were confirmed by results obtained in L905. It is also stated 

 that, in general, the results will he very unsatisfactory when the beets are grown 

 without irrigation. The failure of the plantings of 1905 was primarily due to late 

 planting and inadequate irrigation, and in a lesser extent to poor -oil preparation, 

 poor cultivation, and beet blight. General discussions on the climatic conditions, 

 moisture and sunshine requirements, and on soils ami their preparation and cultiva- 

 tion are given, and the results of earlier experiments conducted by the station with 

 sugar beets in southern California are reviewed in an appendix. 



Manurial experiments with sugar cane in the Leeward Islands, 1904-5, 

 D. Morris [Imp. BepUAgr. West Indies, PamphletS9, 1906, pp. 51).— A summary of 

 tin- results with seedling and other canes at the experiment stations in the Leeward 

 Islands is given. 



At Antigua the results showed that the canes B. 156, Sealy Seedling, B.306, B. 208, 

 I). 74, D. 95, and 1). 10'.) are specially worthy of attention. The ratoons of 6 of these 

 canes also ranked first at the various stations. In St. Kitfs Caledonian Queen and 

 White Transparent gave the best results, while the Barbados seedling canes B. 208 

 and B. 147 were also satisfactory. The ratoon crop of B. 208 ranked first with a 

 yield of 30 tons of cane and 8,508 11>-. of sugar per acre in the juice. 



Relating- to the sugar industry in Peru, T. V. Sedgwick ( Trujillo, Peru: JI<i>/", 



Verjeldc Co., 1905, j>/>. 78, pis. 11, charts S). — This 1 k contains descriptions of the 



sugar districts and sugar estates in Peru and a review of the methods of Bugar-cane 

 culture in that country, together with a brief discussion on the manufacture of cane 

 Biigar and the utilization of by-products. Comparative data from different sugar- 

 growing countries are also given. Special reference is made in this work to the sugar 

 estate known as Hacienda Oartavio. 



Germination of seeds as affected by nutrient salt solutions, < >. Kambekskv 

 [Ztschr. Landw. Versuchsw. Oesterr., 9 {1906), X". I, pp. 88-4S).— Work along this 

 line by several investigators is reviewed, and results of experiments at the Beed con- 

 trol station at Troppau are reported. 



Of each of l"> different field crops 400 seeds were soaked for 48 hours in a solution 

 of a mixture of ammonium and potassium nitrate and sodium and ammonium phos- 

 phate. For the purpose of a check test the same nuinher of seeds of each crop were 

 soaked in water for the same length of time. When these samples were subjected 

 to a germination test the seeds soaked in the nutrient salt solution did not sprout BO 

 quickly and, with the exception of sugar-beet seed, did not show as high a percent 1 

 age of germination as the seed soaked in water. 



