844 EXPEEIMENT STATION KECORD. 



sown and both covered with soil. The second plat was used as a con- 

 trol. The third was sown with seed which had been treated with a 

 water extract of infected soil. All plats were cultivated alike. Tuber- 

 cles were especially al)undant on the vetch roots in plat 1; they were 

 less abundant on plat 3, and were but feebly developed in the control 

 plat. The yield from the plat inoculated by scattering dry earth in 

 the drills was T!) lbs., from the control plat 49 lbs., and from the plat 

 inoculated with water extract 64.5 lbs. 



Some general remarks on methods of inoculating soils, etc., are- 

 added. 



Researches on the culture of blue lupines, P. P. Deherain and 

 E. Demoussy {Ann. ^lg,'on.,^0 {1900), JS'o. I^, pp. 169-196, Jigs. 2).— 

 Pot and field culture experiments covering 3 years were made with 

 blue lupines. The following are the more important conclusions based 

 on the results obtained: Blue lupines will grow on either acid or alka- 

 line soils. The presence of carbonate of lime in the soil is not an 

 obstacle to their development. They are incapable of utilizing the 

 gaseous nitrogen of the air without exterior aid. Bhie lupines, like 

 white lupines, often develop root nodules which are of little value in 

 furnishing nitrogen to the plant. Lupines frequently thrive without 

 there being nodules formed on their roots. Nitrogen in these cases 

 may be furnished by the association of algge and bacteria, which form 

 organic material that may be directly assimilated by the plant. 

 Neither the bacteria most favorable to the formation of useful root 

 nodules on blue lupines nor the algse and bacteria favorable to the 

 formation of organic matter which can be taken up by the plants are 

 widespread, a fact which often accounts for the poor growth of blue 

 lupines in certain districts. 



Varieties of cotton, E. R. Lloyd {Mississippi Sta. Bui. 62, pp. 

 8). — Twenty-four varieties of cotton were grown in 1890. Detailed 

 data are given regarding the yield, value, and commercial classification 

 of each. The 6 varieties giving the highest total money value per 

 acre were Roby Prolific, Hawkins Jumbo, Smith Improved, Ozier Big 

 Boll, King Improved, and Kemper Co. Cotton. 



A summary of the results obtained in variety tests of cotton for 

 each of the years 1889-1899 is included. This summary shows that 

 the foreign varieties of cotton tested at the station have been of minor 

 value. Long staple varieties of cottons when grown on hill lands have 

 made smaller yields and given lower total values per acre than medium 

 or short staple sorts. Varieties grown for a luimber of years on the 

 northern border of the cotton belt mature earlier than when grown 

 farther south. The yield and the length and value of the staple are 

 greatly increased by the richness of the soil. This is said to be true 

 especially of the lotig staple varieties. Further work at the station in 

 variety testing is to be discontinued for the present. 



