236 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The results of separating parsnip, lettuce, celery, and onion seeds into differ- 

 ent grades are briefly reported and point out the superiority of the heavy over 

 the light seed. Every sanii)le of onion seed examined for the purpose contained 

 numerous rust and smut spores. 



Seed work, (i. E. Stonk ( .U«.s.S'r/r7/».vf7/.s- Khi. h'lit. I'.)0><. pt. 2, pp. .7.'/-,'7<S ) . — 

 The seed work of the station is briefly doscrii)ed. During the year more sam- 

 ples of seed for germination tests were received than in any preceding season, 

 the excess over 1907 in seeds separated being 81)8 lbs. The mode of separation 

 of small seeds has been previously described (E. S. R., 19, p. 108G). The 

 average germination percentages for each of the principal kinds of seeds tested 

 were as follows: Onion 74.2, tobacco 78.2, celery 79, corn 87.9, lettuce 99, and 

 pansy 80.9. Twelve purity tests of clover, alfalfa, and mixed grass seeds 

 showe<l the presence of 0.6 to 14.7 per cent of impurities, largely noxious weed 

 seeds. 



The seed control act, II. L. Bolley {North Dakota Sta. Spec. Seed Bid. 1, 

 pp. 3-15, fly. 1). — This bulletin contains the text of the state pure seed law, 

 with notes and comments on the same. 



The Wisconsin seed inspection law, A. L. Stone ( Wiscon.nn 8ta. Circ. 

 Inform. Jf, pp. 10). — The text of the state seed inspection law is given, together 

 with the standards of purity and germination established, and general infor- 

 mation as to impurities, adulteration, misbranding, and testing of seeds under 

 this law. 



HOETICTJLTURE. 



Report of the horticulturist, M. J. Iouns {Porto Rico Stn. Rpt. 1908, pp. 

 17-22, i>L 1). — The horticultural work was continued largely along the lines 

 previously reported (E. S. R., 20, p. 38). 



The cooperative fertilizer expei'iments with citrus fruit growers are already 

 giving some tentative results. Complete fertilizers again seemed markedly 

 superior to those made up of 1 or 2 elements. Nitrogen, derived from dried 

 blood, and potash from potassium chlorid, gave the greatest amount of vegetative 

 growth. In bearing groves the legumes, when plowed under, appear to supply 

 the greater part of the necessary nitrogen. The quality of the fruit seems to be 

 materially affected by the source and relative proportion of different food ele- 

 ments, organic fertilizers giving a coarser fiber and skin, and unbalanced combi- 

 nations giving poorly flavored and insipid fruits. The amounts of fertilizer and 

 time of fertilizing appear to affect the time of fruiting. 



The work of experimenting with fertilizers, cover crops, and culture in the 

 orchards was considerably enlarged. In order to have true standards for com- 

 parison, a new grove was planted with the more general named varieties of the 

 various citrus fruits. A comparative test of stocks will also be made, the ti'ees 

 being budded on the sour orange, the rough lemon. Citrus trifoliata, native seed- 

 lings, and other stocks. In the orchard of miscellaneous and introduced fruits, 

 Averrhoa caramhola, Lucunia rivicoa angustifolia, several of the new Anonas, 

 Triphasia monophyUa, Myrtxis tomcntosos, and Spondias axiUari.'i, produced 

 some fruit during the year. Twenty improved mangoes from different coun- 

 tries have been added to the station's collection. Native mango trees of from 1 

 to 4 or more inches in diameter can be transplanted with little lo.ss when the 

 work is done in the rainy season, the roots being well balled with earth and the 

 tops cut back severely. Some 30 species of eucalypts are on trial, largely with 

 a view of finding some quick growing valuable tree for barren hilltops and other 

 waste lands. 



The fruiting season of roselle ai)pears to be affected by the time of plant- 

 ing. When set out from January to May, the plants began to bear very young, 



