16 MASS. EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 315 



crops. Soybeans were sown in 30-inch rows at the rate of 1 bushel per acre, and 

 broadcast and drilled at the rate of 2 bushels per acre. Soybeans (2 bushels per 

 acre) were mixed with either Japanese millet, Hungarian millet, or Sudan grass 

 (10 pounds per acre) and sown broadcast. Soybeans were sown in 30-inch rows 

 and the millets and Sudan grass seeded after the soybeans were 4 inches high. 

 Results for this season indicated that the mixtures sown broadcast — soybeans 

 and Japanese millet, soybeans and Sudan grass, soybeans and Hungarian millet — 

 ranked first, in order named, as regards yield, weed control, and ease of harvest. 



Fine Turf Grasses. (L. S. Dickinson.) On November 30, 1934 all field plots of 

 fine turf grasses were discontinued, with the exception of a series of 32 plots 

 repeated four times, and used to continue investigations concerning the need of 

 pre-seeding fertilizers for lawns and fine turf areas. 



The pre-seeding fertilizer studies were started in 1930, the grass beng grown 

 in boxes in which heat, fertilizer, soil, and water were controlled. In 1931-1932 

 the studies were repeated but with only soil and fertilizer controlled; the boxes 

 were placed out of doors and the grass was subjected to the daily weather condi- 

 tions. In 1933-1934 the studies have been conducted on typical fine-turf soil, 

 and with the grass growing under natural conditions. To date, the results ob- 

 tained correlate very closely and it is becoming more obvious that on normal 

 soils, a single phophorus carrier is all the pre-seeding fertilizer that is necessary 

 or desirable for the fine turf grasses, Colonial bent and Kentucky blue grass. 



Some progress was made in an attempt to classify the soils on the best and 

 poorest putting greens, for the purpose of establishing definite soil standards; but 

 lack of funds made it necessary to discontinue the work before definite results 

 could be obtained. 



Further tests were made with a non-mercuric fungicide for the control of certain 

 fungous diseases of turf grasses. The tests showed the fungicide to be effective 

 on laboratory cultures and against weak fungous attacks in the field. 



COOPERATIVE TOBACCO INVESTIGATIONS 



Conducted by the Bureau of Plant Industry, United States Department of Agri- 

 culture, in Cooperation with the Massachusetts Agricultural Experiment Station 



C. V. Kightlinger, U. S. D. A., in Charge 



Black Root-Rot. (C. V. Kightlinger.) In continued investigation, numerous 

 strains of Havana Seed tobacco were tested comparatively in the field in 1933 

 (the fourth year of the investigation), in the attempt to find strains which will be 

 satisfactory under Connecticut Valley conditions for resistance to black root- 

 rot, type of plant, type and quality of leaf, and gross producing capacity. 



One strain was Havana Seed of the sort that is grown commonly in the Connec- 

 ticut Valley. When grown under favorable conditions, it is acceptable for type 

 of plant, type and quality of leaf, and gross producing capacity, but it is sus- 

 ceptible to black root-rot. This strain was used as a standard for rating new strains 

 for type and quality. Another strain was Havana Seed 142A3 which is satisfac- 

 torily resistant to black root-rot, and is ordinarily satisfactory for gross producing 

 capacity under conditions favorable to the development of the disease. This 

 strain was used as a standard for rating new strains for resistance to black root- 

 rot and gross producing capacity under such conditions. Seventeen strains were 

 tested in 1933, four of which had been grown for the first time in 1930, five in 



