FIELD CROPS. 235 



Notes on some introduced plants of southern California, II, S. B. Parish 

 (Muhlcnbergia, 5 {190'.)), No. 0, pp. 121-128). — It is stated that only one variety 

 of prickly lettuce (Lnctuca scariola var. integrata) has reached the Pacific 

 coast. Notes on the history and distribution of Taraxacum officinale. HUyhnm 

 marianum, Xanthium spinositvi, i^alsoJa kali tragus, Raphanus raphanistrum, 

 K. sativa, Tribulus tcrrestris, Medicago lupulina, McUlotus alba, PJantngo lan- 

 crolata. Daucus carota, and Datura tatula are also given. 



Dodder v. alfalfa, E. M. Wilcox (Insect Pest and Plant Disease Bur. Neir.. 

 Div. Hot. Circ. 3, pp. 3, figs. -)). — This circular presents a popular discussion of 

 dodder as a parasite, its Introduction, detection, and removal from seeds, and 

 its eradication from alfalfa fields. 



[The effects of chemicals and proprietary preparations on vegetation and 

 weeds], G. E. Stone (Massachusetts Sta. Rpt. 190S. pt. 1, pp. 62-12, pi. /).— In 

 general in these experiments a solution of 1 part of the chemical employed to 

 20 parts of water or 4 lbs. to 10 gal. was applied at the rate of 10 gal. per 

 square rod. 



Carbolic acid killed vegetation more quickly than any other substance, but 

 the treatment was not perceptible 2 months later. Fifty per cent mixtures of 

 benzin and gasoline in water produced similar results, while a .50 per cent 

 mixture of kerosene had little effect. Sodium arsenite killed all plants but new 

 grass appeared, and lead acetate only slightly burned the grass and plantain. 

 White arsenic and sal soda 1 : 2 proved very effective but when used in a solu- 

 tion of 1 part to 66 parts of water new grass appeared within 2 months after 

 the application, although all vegetation was killed when the solution was ap- 

 plied. Salt and Paris green, while killing some plants, produced no permanent 

 effect. Corrosive sublimate destroyed vegetation effectively but not perma- 

 nently. Equal parts of arsenate of soda and corrosive sublimate killed all plants 

 with permanent effect. Nitrate of soda proved of little value in this connec- 

 tion and sodium sulphid and niter cake gave a similar result. Arsenate of 

 soda and corrosive sublimate (1:1) permanently killed all vegetation. White 

 arsenic was very effective and arsenic sulphid dissolved in an alkaline solution 

 of potassium sulphid was also very destructive to plant life. 



The results of the different experiments indicate that, as a rule, soil treated 

 with a mixture of 2 lbs. of arsenic compounds and 10 gal. of water at the rate 

 of 10 gal. per square rod will remain free from weeds for a number of years. 

 It is stated that a few applications will kill poison ivy. but it is recommended 

 that the solution be not used on small trees and be kept away from the feeding 

 roots of all valuable trees. Notes are given on other methods of killing weeds 

 and on the use of different preparations for this purpose. 



Garden and field seeds sold in Connecticut in 1908-9, E. H. Jenkins and 

 Mary G. .Jagger (Connecticut State Sta. Bui. IGJf, pp. 3-26).— This bulletin 

 gives directions for sampling and submitting seeds for test, and presents in 

 tabular form studies of the purity, germination, and viability percentages of 

 samples of the seed of red. mammoth, alsike. white, and crimson clovers, alfalfa, 

 redtop, timothy. Kentucky blue grass, and Hungarian millet, and of the ger- 

 mination percentage and weight per hundred seeds of samples of lettuce, radish, 

 cabbage, onion, muskmelon, and watermelon seed. 



[Notes on seeds, screening's, and weeds in Massachusetts], P. H. Smith, 

 G. H. Chapman, and G. E. Stone (Massachusetts Sta. Rpt. 1908, pt. 1, pp. 

 29_^2).— Notes on the value of screenings as a feeding stuff and on the objec- 

 tions to their use are given together with descriptions of 14 weed seeds most 

 common in grass seed and cattle foods, and a brief historical sketch of weeds 

 in the Stat©, 



