FIELD CROPS. 745 



Researches on the veg-etation of some forag-e plants, Monvoisin {Aym. ^igron., 

 36 {1900), Xu. J, PIJ.77-10S). — The development of the roots and stems of vetch, 

 crimson clover, lentils, sainfoin, alfalfa, bluemelilot, Siberian nielilot, burnet, English 

 and Italian rye grass, milfoil, and other forage plants, as regards ash and nitrogen 

 content at different periods before and after flowering, was studied. The mineral 

 matter of the plants examined was found in greatest abundance in the roots of annuals 

 at a period intermediate Ijetween flowering and the end of vegetation. The total 

 nitrogenous matter was found to be greatest about the last of April and diminished 

 from that date. The roots of legumes were richer in nitrogen than the roots of 

 grasses. The nonalbuminoid nitrogenous materia" was great(>st at the end of the 

 vegetation period. The i)lants constantly lost in dry matter after maturity. 



Results of a comparative culture experiment with French a,nd American 

 alfalfa, F. F. Bkui.iuing, Jr. {Orgaaa Yer. Ondleer. llijks Laudbouwschool {1900), No. 

 154, T'- 14'^)- — An account of plat experiments on sandy soil with Poiton, Province, 

 and American alfalfa. Plats of each were planted the middle of April, 1899, and 

 were cut August 1, and October 19, and a third time June 11, 1900. At the last 

 cutting the plats were very weedy and the percentage of weeds in each plat was 

 determined. The results recorded show that the Poiton alfalfa was the best for this 

 sandy soil, and the American the poorest. — h. m. meters. 



The cassava plant — its uses and possibilities, D. R. Pillsbuky {Tradesman, 44 

 {1901), Xo. 9, })p. 146-148). — This article discusses the history, varieties, and uses 

 as a food and feeding stuff and for the manufacture of beverages and starch of this 

 plant. 



The races of corn, A. S. Hitchcock {Amer. Gard., 21 {1900), No. 314, pp- 869, 

 870). — Dent, sweet, flint, pop, and soft corn are briefly characterized. 



Chemical composition of maize and its products, H. W. Wiley ( U. S. Dept. 

 Agr., Division of Chemistry Circ. No. 6, pp.13). — This is a translation into the French 

 language by E. Gain of Bulletin No. 50 of the Division of Chemistry of this Depart- 

 ment (E.S.E.,10,p.624). 



Flax culture experiments of the German Agricultural Society in 1899, 

 KuHNERT {Mitt. Deut. L'lndw. GeselL, 15 {1900), No. 5, pp. 49-53) .—The results of 

 seeding different amounts of flax on various soils as regards yield of seed and fiber 

 are reported. The soils used were medium clay, heavy clay, clay loam, sandy loam, 

 and clay loam containing humus. Four plats of each soil were used, and 150, 180, 

 210, and 240 kg. per hectare of seed sown. The largest amount of seed obtained per 

 hectare, an average of 1,610 kg., was from the heaviest seeding. The Ugliest seeding, 

 however, yielded within 4 kg. of this amount, 1,606 kg. per hectare. The greatest 

 total amount of fiber and the greatest amount of long fiber was obtained from the 

 plats seeded at the rate of 150 kg. per hectare. These results are at variance with 

 those obtained in preceding years, and the test is to be continued. 



Experiments on hops, 1900 {Jour. Southeast. Agr. Col. Wye, 1900, No. 9, p)p. 

 o-lS). — Data for cultural and fertilizer experiments at several different centers. 



Experiments on the g-rowth of wheat and maize at the Caw^npore experi- 

 mental farm, India, J. W. Leather {Dept. Land liecords and Ayr., North ar stern Prov- 

 inces and Oudli, Bid. 8, pp. 34, dgms. 2). — An account is given of .growing wheat and 

 maize for a number of years in succession on the same land with and without ferti- 

 lizers, and the results obtained are compared with those secured at Rothamsted and 

 Woburn. Cattle and sheep manure and poudrette have proven about equally valu- 

 able as a fertilizer for wheat, and wheat alternated with corn has given better results 

 than wheat grown in continuous cultivation. 



Applying manures, Berthault {Semaine Agr., 20 {1900), Nos. 1013, pp. 330,331; 

 1015, p]). 346, 347). — The relative value of applying manures broadcast, in drills, and 

 locally about the plant is considered for a number of farm crops. 



A field experiment with Nitrag-in (kidney vetch), 0. Burciiard {Landv). 

 Wchnhl. Schleswig-IIohtein, 50 {1900), No. SO, pp. 517, 518).— The yield of kidney 



