FIELD CROPS. 637 



seemed to show that the trouble was not clue to poor quality of seed. 

 In order to prevent this loss, earlier planting — in March or early 

 April — is advised. The results obtained in the different sections of 

 the State are tabulated in detail for each grower, summarized, and 

 compared with the results of previous j^ears. The data secured from 

 the northern section of the State were especially satisfactory. The 

 sugar content of 355 samples averaged 13 per cent and the purity 81.5 

 per cent. For the whole State the averages were 12.7 and 80.2 per 

 cent, respectively. 



The striped blister beetle was especialh^ injurious to the sugar beet 

 in many sections of the State during the season. 



Sorghuiii (pp. 189-193). — Five varieties of sorghum seed obtained 

 from this Department were distributed to 122 growers in 51 counties 

 of the State, especially to the central and southern sections. The 

 varieties distributed were chiefly Colman, Folger Early, and Early 

 Amber, with Collier, Oomseana, and Denton in small quantities. The 

 reports are not ver}" definite as to Denton and Collier. Oomseana is 

 highly spoken of, particularly for forage purposes, and some report 

 favorabl}^ as to its sirup-making quality. This is a slender, leafy vari- 

 ety, apparently adapted to forage uses. Early Amber has commonly 

 succeeded best for sirup making, because maturing earlier in this 

 State than the Colman, which generally made a larger growth than the 

 other sorts. The Colman receives commendation from some for sirup 

 making and universall}^ as forage for green feeding. Folger Early is 

 reported as standing up better than Colman and ripening ealier than 

 Oomseana. 



One of the main objects of the experiment was the distribution of 

 seed to be used by the farmers in the production of seed for future 

 crops. In most instances this result was secured. The detailed report 

 on the growth of sorghum is recorded in letters from 6 farmers, and 

 analyses are given with reference to the sugars found in the sorghum 

 juices and of the composition of 3 samples of sorghum sirups. 



The culture and handling of tobacco in Maryland. J. H. Pat- 

 terson {Maryland ^ta. Bui. 67, pp- lol-lo2, jig><- S)- — Among the 

 topics treated are the methods of selecting, grading, packing, and top- 

 ping Maryland tobacco; varieties for Maryland and methods of improv- 

 ing them; uses of green manure for supplying humus and improving 

 the j-ield and quality of tobacco; fertilizers for tobacco; root system 

 of the tobacco plant; methods of tillage; and the relation of original 

 and natural vegetation to the adaptability of soils for tobacco culture. 



Trials in growing cigar tobacco at the station have shown that with 

 imported Cuban seed, planted on good soil, a large tobacco of fair 

 (juality can be produced. The expense of growing, however, more 

 than counterbalanced the increased price received for the tobacco. The 

 bulk of the crop grown in Maryland is smoking tobacco. 



