298 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



(Bull. Soc. Myc. Fr. xviii. fasc. 2, with 3 plates ; 1902). — Experiments 

 in cultivation of the conidia of Coniothecium amentacearum, in various 

 media, are held to demonstrate the affinity of this species with Fumago, 

 and through that with Capnodmm. Hence that the forms known as 

 Coniothecium are imperfect, or conidial conditions of Capnodium. 



M. C. C. 



Corn Culture. By. R. J. Redding (U.S.A. Exp. Stn. Georgia, 

 Bull. 55 ; November 1901). — A series of nine experiments are described 

 dealing with the cultivation of " Corn." 



1. Shows that two or more medium or small ears are to be preferred 

 to one large ear on a stalk. 



la. Is a comparison between the respective earliness of four varieties, 

 and it tends to show that " early " varieties yield a higher average in 

 bushels per acre than the later. 



2. Deals with harvesting, and shows the benefit of cutting and 

 shocking (either green or dry), thus using the stalks instead of leaving 

 them in the field. 



3. "Broad-casting" fertilisers versus "drilling." Given a liberal 

 application of fertiliser, broad-casting appears to be best, in view of probable 

 unfavourable seasons, but if the amount of fertiliser be limited, drilling 

 is preferable. 



4. "Top" ears or "bottom" ears for seed corn? Seems to prove 

 that seed from "bottom" ears is the most likely to produce two-eared 

 stalks, and is therefore to be preferred. 



5. Planting on beds versus in water furrow. 



The result of this experiment tends to show that "bed " planting is 

 decidedly better in every way than planting in the water furrows, whether 

 fertilised at time of planting or not, especially if, as often happens, the 

 weather is very wet after planting. 



G. " Deep " versus " shallow " planting. 



Although this experiment yielded a somewhat inconclusive result, 

 it would seem to show that deep planting is preferable to shallow. 



7. "Thorough" versus "ordinary" preparation of Corn land. This 

 experiment gave unexpected results in that it failed to sustain the 

 current belief that "thorough" preparation of the soil justifies the 

 increased expenditure by a large increase in the yield. 



8. More or less frequent tillage. The differences were not great, but 

 were in favour of giving three furrows at a time every three weeks, 

 rather than one furrow at a time every week, or two furrows every two 

 weeks. 



9. "Nitrogen test on Corn " was undertaken to determine whether 

 Corn shows a preference for any particular form of nitrogen. 



Dried blood, nitrate of soda, and cotton meal were used as sources of 

 nitrogen. The differences were inconsiderable, but the general average 

 of four years of experiment gave the order of preference as above. 



As the Corn shows no very decided preference for either, the farmer 

 will probably be guided in their use by their respective cost. The 

 experiment shows, however, that it is not expedient to fertilise Corn 

 liberally with commercial fertilisers.— C. II. C. 



