New York Agricultural Experiment Station, 



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duced by the addition of screenings. In two samples of alfalfa, 

 seeds of small-seeded dodder were found to be present, enclosed in 

 the capsules. These dodder seeds could not be removed by the use 

 of a sieve recommended for the separation of such seeds from 

 alfalfa, until the capsules were crushed or broken apart thus 

 allowing the seeds to escape. The percentage of alfalfa samples 

 containing dodder was slightly higher than in previous years, 

 and about one-half of the dodder-infested samples contained large- 

 seeded dodder which cannot be removed bv the use of a dodder 

 sieve. 



Over 19 per ct. of the samples of red clover contained dodder, 

 of which two-thirds contained the large-seeded dodder. This is a 

 decided increase in percentage of dodder-infested clover samples 

 as compared with 5 per ct. reported in 1911. 



The increase in the percentage of dodder-infested samples and 

 the experience of farmers during the past season with this pest 

 calls for a note of warning to prospective purchasers, as it is 

 considered unwise to sow seed containing even one seed of dodder 

 per pound of crop seed. Cheap seed, with respect to dodder, 

 should be avoided, as it invariably proves costly in the end. 



Mustard. — The seed of this noxious weed occurred in 112, or 

 18 per ct., of the alfalfa samples, and in 20, or 12 per ct., of the 

 samples of red clover. 



Plantain, or huchhom. — The seed of this peet was found in 

 80 per ct. of the red clover samples, and in 26 per ct. of the 

 alfalfa samples. 



Green foxtail. — The seed of this grass was the most common 

 impurity found in red clover since it occurred in 82 per ct. of the 

 samples examined. It occurred in 50 per ct. of the alfalfa 

 samples. 



Chicory. — Ten per ct. of the alfalfa samples, and 16 per ct. 

 of the red clover samples contained the seeds of this weed as 

 an impurity and in some cases to a very noticeable extent. It 

 is very evident that this pest in most cases invades the farm 

 through the use of impure grass or clover seed, 



