68 THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



WEEDS. 



The following weeds are to be reckoned with, as all are likely to be 

 found in commercial seed (See Fig. 17) : 



1. Dodder (C uscuta s^s.) . 



2. Barley grass, commonly called foxtail (Hordecum murinum). 



3. Plantain (Plantago sps.). 



4. Russian thistle (Salsoli kali var. tragus). 



5. Currant {Bihes floridum americanum) . 



6. Dock (Rumex) many species. 



7. Charlock, or wild mustard (Brassica sps.) 



8. Kentucky blue grass {Poa pratensis) . 



9. Canada blue grass (P. compressa). 



10. Chicory (Cichorium intyhus). 



11. Sweet clover {Melilotns alba). 



12. Other clovers. 



13. Yellow trefoil. 



Dodder, also called love-vine and gold thread, has a peculiar life 

 history. The seeds take root, throw up a stem which winds about its 

 host and victim, after which it lets go its hold in the earth and becomes 

 a parasite which soon chokes the life out of its host. Dodder seed 

 (Fig. 17, 5 and 8) is smaller and more spherical than that of alfalfa. It 

 is easily distinguished, and seed with dodder adulteration should never 

 be planted. Dodder seed can be removed by use of a scrgen with a one 

 twentieth of an inch mesh. Unless alfalfa growers study seeds and 

 themselves become expert, they must always have seed intended for 

 planting examined by an expert. The dodder must never be allowed to 

 seed. If it appears, cut the alfalfa, and when dry burn it. 



The germination of seeds should also be determined. If the seed be 

 placed between several layers of damp blotting paper and kept in a 

 warm room, it should sprout in about five days ; the quicker, the better 

 the seed. From 85 per cent to 90 per cent of the seed should germinate. 

 It pays to spare no pains in procuring seed, and it is far better to grow 

 our o^vn seed, using the well-lmown principles of selection and breeding. 

 Pedigreed plants are just as superior as are pedigreed animals. 



INSECTS, EELWORMS AND GOPHERS. 



The following insects are pests in the alfalfa fields of California: 



1. Army worm (Peridroma margaritosa var. saucia).* 



2. Locusts (Acridiidce) * 



3. Alfalfa butterfly {Eurymus eury theme) . 



4. Wireworms (Elateridce) .* 



5. Alfalfa looper {Autographa gamma calif ornica).* 



6. Alfalfa crane fly (Tipida simplex).* 



7. Apple leaf-hopper (Empoasca mali).* 



8. Clover mite (Bryohia pratensis).* 



9. Grain thrips (Eiithrips tritici).* 



10. Grape leaf -hopper (Typhlocijha comes).* 



11. Twelve-spotted cucumber bettle (Diahrotica soror) .* 



12. Western army worm (Chorizagrotis agrestis).* 



13. Serpentine leaf miner {Agromyza pusilla) . 



♦Injurious and Beneficial Insects of California, B. O. Essig, State Commission of 

 Horticulture, The Monthly Bulletin, Vol. 2, Nos. 1 and 2, p. 7. 



