FIELD CROPS. 285 



Tests of varities of potatoes in 1898, A. I'iIickiokk {JaJirrdxr. Landiv. ScJiule 

 RMi, 1898-99, pp. 76-80). — In addition to data aH to the yields of 28 varieties, sug- 

 gestions regarding the handUng of seed potatoes are given. It is considered good 

 practice in early spring to place the potatoes in dry sand. This induces a shrinking 

 up of the tubers and prevents sprouting until they are planted. Potatoes thus 

 treated have given from 22 to 30 per cent higher yields. 



"Wheat straw for potatoes, A. M. Howell {Agr. Gaz. New South Walen, 11 {1900), 

 No. 1, pp. 45-47). — Discussion of the use and value of straw as a mulch for potatoes. 



Fertilizer experiments with potatoes, E. Zachaeewicz {Prog. Agr. ct Vit. {Ed. 

 VEaf), 21 {1900), Xo. 16, pp. 484-487). — Oil meal was compared with a mixture of 

 oil meal, chlorid of potash, and superphosphate and with complete commercial 

 fertilizers for potatoes on a soil rich in nitrogen but poor in potash and phosphoric 

 acid. The amounts of the fertilizers used in each instance and the yields obtained 

 with 2 varieties of potatoes are tabulated. The profit from the use of the oil meal 

 alone was $63.11; from the oil meal and mineral fertilizers, $102.96, and from com- 

 plete commercial fertilizers, $283.90 per hectare. 



Rice culture in the United States, S. A. Knapp { f 7. S. Dept. Agr., Farmers' 

 Bui. 110, pp. 28) . — This is a popular bulletin based on Bulletin 22 of the Division of 

 Botany of this Department (E. S. R., 12, p. 46) . Varieties of rice grown in this coun- 

 try, rice-growing sections, importation and production of rice, rice lands, methods of 

 culture and milling, value as a food, rice by-products, effects of fashion in rice, new 

 wholesale methods of rice production in Louisiana and Texas, prospects of the exten- 

 sion of the rice industry, labor problems, etc., are the principal subjects considered. 

 An impetus of considerable importance has lately been given to the rice industry in 

 this country by the introduction of the Japanese variety of rice Kiushu, which is 

 about 25 per cent more productive than the Honduras variety usually grown, and 

 which possesses superior milling qualities. 



On the cultivation and treating of rice in Jamaica, R. H. Lindo {Jour. 

 Jamaica Agr. *S'oc., 4 {1900), No. 7, pp. 436-444) ■ — Complete cultural directions are 

 given, including thrashing, drying, hulling, and preparing for market. 



Peculiar frost injuries to rye, Frank {Deut. Landw. Presse, 27 {1900), No. 51, 

 p. 653, figs. 2). — Late frosts in May seriously injured rye. Some plants were entirely 

 killed and others only slightly affected. Plants injured to different degrees, as shown 

 by after growth, are figured and described. 



Sug-ar beets at the experiment station at Capelle, Desprez Sons {Jour. Agr. 

 Prat., 1900, 11, No. 31, pp. 160, 161; Semaine Agr., 20 {1900), No. 1002, p. 242).— 

 The comparative yields per square meter of roots and leaves of sugar beets, percent- 

 age sugar content and purity of the juice, etc., are given for 4 experimental plats for 

 each of the years 1896-1900. The beets were harvested July 22 of each year. 



Sugar beets, C. H. Jones and B. O. White ( Vermont Sta. Ppt. 1899, pp. 146, 

 147). — The average weight of beets grown in 1898 was 20 oz. ; average sugar content, 

 13.3 per cent; purity coefficient, 83.1 per cent. From results attained the authors 

 conclude that, though a good grade of beets may be grown in Vermont, yet, owing 

 to the restricted area and short growing season, it will be difficult, if not impossible, 

 to establish the sugar industry in the .State. 



Sugar beet experiments, E. F. Lado {North. Dakota Sta. Rpt. 1899, pp. 14-17). — 

 The analyses of 82 samples of sugar beets grown in cooperative experiments with 

 farmers throughout the State are given. They show an average of 12.9 per cent 

 sugar content with a coefficient of purity of 78 per cent. The season was not favor- 

 able for best results. See E. S. R., 11, \i. 241, for an account of similar work in 1898. 



The w^ork of the agricultural experiment stations on tobacco, J. I. Schulte 

 and M. Whitney ( V. S. Dept. Agr. Rpt. 63, pp. 4^). — A summary is here given of the 

 results obtained in all the experimental work thus far undertaken by the agricultural 

 experiment stations in this country and Canada in the growing, curing, and handling 

 of tobacco; and suggestions given regarding further experimental work. 



