44 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



barley, 53 of oats, 23 of fodder beets, 21 of sugar beets, 17 of potatoes, 4 of kale, 

 carrots, and similar crops, 8 of clo^•ers and grasses, and 28 of leguminous plants. 



The importance of pure seed, L. Hiltneb (Prakt. Bl. Pflansenbau u. Schutz, 

 8 (1910), No. 12, pp. 137-152; abs. in Internat. Inst. Agr. [Romel, Bui. Bur. 

 Agr. Intel, and Plant Diseases, 2 (1911), No. 1, p. 79). — The author discusses 

 the great difficulty of obtaining pure seed and recommends the adoption of uni- 

 form regulations on this subject by international agreement. Definite recom- 

 mendations on certain phases of the subject are made. 



The determination of freshness and normal vitality in seed, L. Hiltner 

 (Jahrcshcr. Ter. Amjew. Bot., 8 (1910), pp. 210-23S, dgm. i).— This article 

 ]ioints out the limitations of seed testing as a means of determining the com- 

 mercial value of seed and discusses in this connection the influence of hard- 

 ness of the seed coat and the degree of ripeness. The results of certain experi- 

 ments are cited as illustrations. 



Seed work, 1910, G. E. Stone (Massachusetts Sta. Rpt. 1910, pt. 1, pp. 14I- 

 143). — Tables report the results of germination tests of onion, tobacco, lettuce, 

 cucumber, alfalfa, clover, and miscellaneous seeds and the result of seed sepa- 

 ration of onion, tobacco, and lettuce seed. The author compares the results 

 obtained in 1010 with those of 1909. 



Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Seed Testing 

 (Jahrcshcr. Ver. Angew. Bot., 8 (1910), pp. 211-218). — This conference was 

 held May 13-15, 1910, at Miinster in Germany and Wageningen in Holland. The 

 proceedings of these meetings are here briefly summarized. 



Calcium cyanamid as a herbicide for Cuscuta, J. P. Wagner (Jour. Agr. 

 Prat., n. ser,., 22 (1911), No. 29, p. 78). — The results are given of several experi- 

 ments in which a thin layer of calcium cyanamid was spread on meadows 

 affected with Cuscuta trifolii directly after the first cutting. It is claimed that 

 the Cuscuta was destroyed without injury to the crop. 



HORTICULTURE. 



[Report of the] asparag'us substation, Concord, W. P. Brooks (Massa- 

 chusetts Stu. Rpt. 1910, pt. 1, pp. 22-26). — This is a brief progress report of 

 work at the substation, which comprises (1) breeding experiments conducted co- 

 operatively with the Bureau of Plant Industry of this Department with the hope 

 of producing a rust-resistant type of asparagus, and (2) fertilizer experiments 

 designed to throw light upon the special plant-food requirements of the crop. 



In the breeding experiments, which are being conducted by J. B. Norton, a 

 large number of crosses between selected plants have been made. Of these a 

 few have resulted in offspring which seem to be almost absolutely immune to 

 rust (E. S. R., 24, p. 544). These plants are being propagated for further trial. 



In the fertilizer experiments the effect of the very thorough prepai-ation which 

 the soil received is still noticeable in the growth of asparagus on the check plats, 

 and the varying treatments do not, as yet, show the differences which may be 

 expected later on. From the results thus far secured, however, it is concluded 

 that plats receiving an application of manure at the rate of 10 tons per acre are 

 not materially benefited by the addition of nitrate of soda alone, or by the addi- 

 tion of the complete fertilizer, compostnl of nitrate of soda, acid phosphate, and 

 muriate of pota.sh. The use of nitrate of soda in addition to a fairly liberal 

 application of acid phosphate and muriate of potash has somewhat increased the 

 yield, but when applitxl in excess of 311 lbs. per acre it has not resulted in a 

 further increase. 



In connection with the fertilizer experiments a study is being made by F. W. 

 Morse relative to the effects of varying treatment upon the composition of the 



