650 



Germination experiments (pp. 149-160). — These were a continuation of 

 those recorded in the Annual Report of the station for 1888, and were 

 undertaken "to test commission seeds offered for sale in Maine, that 

 were not examined in 1888; and to investigate a comphiint from Aroos- 

 took County that dealers in that section were selling poor seeds." 

 The tests included seeds of vegetables and clover put up by various 

 seedsmen and offered for sale on commission in Maine. The results are 

 stated in tables. 



>' Our tests show that the seeds of some dealers, wherever taken in 

 the State, have a high germinating power, while the seeds of others 

 are invariably poor. Most commission merchants offer for sale the 

 seeds of several growers, and it is the object of germination tests to 

 show which growers put up the best seeds. There is not care enough 

 taken by many farmers in the selection of seed. Where no preference 

 is expressed the merchant is liable to dispose of the poorer seed. 

 Farmers are sometimes in a hurry, and when the seed they usually 

 X)lant can not be readily had, they take almost any kind. The selec- 

 tion of seed should be done before the rush of planting time, when care 

 can be exercised. Our advice to farmers is never to* buy seeds of doubt- 

 ful character, and to dealers never to handle them. By working 

 together poor seed will be driven from the market, the business of 

 reliable seedsmen become less precarious, and the crops of the farmer 

 more certain." 



Seeds dipped in a solution of corrosive sublimate in alcohol, diluted 

 with 10,000 parts of water, did not mold and germinated as well as those 

 not thus treated. 



Experiments icith forage plants (pp. 1G1-1G9). — Brief descriptive notes 

 on 39 varieties of forage plants grown at the station, including 24 

 varieties of grasses, alsike, red, white, and crimson clover, sweet clover 

 {Melilotus alba), honey clover [Melilotus ewrulea), alfalfa {Medicago 

 sativa), black medic {Medicago lupuUna), sanfoin {Onobrychis sativa), 

 small pea {Lathyrus sativus), hairy vetch {Vicia villosa), bird's-foot 

 clover (Lotus corniculatus), serradella {Ornithopus sativus), tar weed 

 {Madia sativa), giant sparry {Spergula maxima). 



The importance of the introduction of new grasses and other forage 

 l)lantsin Maine is urged, and lists of such plants which may be used in 

 experiments for this purpose are giveu. 



Injurious plants received for examination in 1889 (pp. 170, 171). — A list 

 of 7 species of parasitic fungi and 7 of weeds. 



The potato rot (pp. 172-181, illustrated). — The potato rot {PhytophtJiora 

 infestans) was very prevalent in Maine in 1889, The origin, history, 

 causes, and conditions of growth are stated ; the fungus in its different 

 stages is described ; an aiicouut of its life history is given ; and direct 

 and preventive measures of treatment are suggested. The article is 

 illustrated with a plate taken from the Agricultural Eeport of Maine for 

 1882. 



