NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



911 



Each fertiliser being purchased with an analysis, it may be worked 

 out what quantity of each to use. 



100 lb. nitrate of soda, 100 lb. of sulphate or muriate of potash, and 

 300 lb. of acid phosphate or dissolved bone is recommended as a general 

 fertiliser ; scatter between rows, not on plants. It is stated lime should 

 never be used on land for Strawberries. G. H. H. 



Sugar Beet, Influence of Environment on the Composition 

 of the, including- a Study of Irrigated Sections. By H. W. 



Wiley (U.S.A. Dep. Agr. Bur. C hem., Bull. 78, 1902).— Reports on the 

 influence of environment on the constitution of the Sugar Beet in sections 

 where irrigation is practised. The average of sugar in Beets irom the 

 irrigated areas is 2*4 percent, higher than that of the other stations. Analysis 

 of soils on irrigated and non-irrigated stations shows a larger percentage 

 of insoluble matters in the former, which are more highly basic, while the 

 non-irrigated are more acidic in character. The large quantities of lime 

 and potash present in the irrigated soils cannot fail to be of lasting 

 benefit to such a crop as the Sugar Beet. 



Unobstructed sunshine is not absolutely necessary to the normal 

 development of the sugar-content of the Beet. In fact, during the very 

 hot days of summer a screening of the sunlight by clouds may even prove 

 beneficial. This observation does not of course apply to artificial shade, 

 which induces etiolated growth and hinders assimilation. In such cases 

 greater comparative quantities of non- sugars are formed, and the value 

 as well as the quantity of the Beets produced is greatly diminished. 



F. A. W. 



Sugar Beet, The Principal Enemies of. By F. H. Chittenden 

 (U.S.A. Dep. Agr. Dir. Ent. Bull. No. 43). — A brief account is given in 

 this bulletin of some 69 different insects that injure the Sugar Beet crop. 

 Fortunately these are chiefly, if not entirely, American insects, though of 

 many we have their "doubles" in this country and on the Continent. 

 The life-history, with the best means to employ for the destruction of the 

 various insects, is given, and also a figure of each insect in all its stages. 



G. S. S. 



Sugar Beets and Mangels. By F. C. Burtis and L. A. Moorhouse 

 (Agr. Exp. Stn. Oklahoma, Bull. 61, Jan. 1904). — These were field experi- 

 ments conducted in Oklahoma to determine the comparative yields of 

 Sugar Beets and Mangels on the station farm. 



It had been decided, as the result of other experiments, that the 

 cultivation of Sugar Beets for sugar production was unprofitable, but as- 

 an additional and succulent ration for the winter feeding of stock these 

 roots were invaluable. 



Other experiments of the same nature were undertaken with Kafir 

 Corn and Indian Corn, and also with Oats. The English sparrow proved 

 very troublesome, reducing the grain obtained from Kafir Corn by J to ^. 



C. H. C. 



Sugar Beets, The Relation of, to general Farming. By C. O 



Townsend (U.S.A. Dep. Agr. Year Book, 1903, p. 399 ; illustrations).— A 

 very interesting article is here given upon this subject. The general 



