638 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



ties analyzed ranged from iL'.oS {o 15.2!) per cent, Ilic w.itcr (•(intent from 12.26 

 to 12.S4 per cent. 



The adulteration and misbranding of the seeds of alfalfa, red clover, 

 orchard grass, and Kentucky blue grass, A. F. Woods ( U. S. Dept. Agr., Office 

 Nfc. ('in: ,il, pp. .'/). — None ot the o.")!) samples of alfalfa secured was adul- 

 terated or niisbranded but 107 contained dodder. Of the 630 samples of red 

 clover seed, 54 contained dodder, the percentage being only one-tifth of that of 

 11 year ago, when low-grade seed was being more extensively imported from 

 European sources. Of the 379 sanji)les of orchard grass seed obtained. 55 were 

 adulterated ^vith seed of meadow fescue or rye grass or both. Of 446 samples 

 of seed obtained as Kentucky blue grass, only 14 were wholly or in part Cana- 

 dian blue grass seed, while germination tests gave results varying from zero 

 to 90 per cent with an average of 62 per cent. 



Of the total of 1,814 samples secured, 69 were found to be adulterated or 

 niisbranded and the i-esults of their analyses, together with the names of seeds- 

 men by whom they wei'e offered for sale, are included in this circular. 



Seed inspections {Maine Sta. Off. Insp. 11, pp. 165-180). — The chief require- 

 ments of the state seed inspection law are explained, various features connected 

 with its enforcement discussed, and directions given for taking and mailing 

 samples of seed for free analysis, and for testing seeds at home. A list is given 

 of the 79 kinds of weed seeds found in seeds examined in 1909. together with 

 tables showing the frequency of their occurrence, and the results of analyses 

 of the official samples collected in 1900. 



The grass and clover seed trade in Vermont in 1907—1909, G. T. Har- 

 rington {Vcrmotit Sill. Bui. I'i6, pp. 205-2^0). — Tal>ulated results of the 

 analyses of 131 samples of seed examined since 1907 show that timothy was 

 usually of good grade, alsike variable, and red clover extremely variable. 



The danger of importing the seeds excluded by state laws from the markets 

 of other States and countries is noted. Other topics discussed are the qualities 

 of good commercial seed, weed seed, seed control with special reference to 

 Vermont conditions, the dangers of low grade seeds, miscellaneous seeds tested, 

 and Vermont's worst weeds in 1909 as compared with those in 1872. 1891, and 

 1898. Weeds noted as recently having become fr(^quent enough to be trouble- 

 some are rib grass or lance-leafed ]ilantain; clover dodder (Ciiscuta cpithif- 

 mum), first reported in Vermont in 1900; blue weed {Echinum vulgare) ; 

 prickly lettuce (Lactuca scariola) ; hoary alyssum {Berteroa incana) 1895; 

 tumble mustard (Sisymbritcm altissimum) 1900; squirrel tail grass (Hordeum 

 jiihatum) ; worniseed mustard ( EnjHinum clicirantlioidcs) ; and (Petstemoin 

 Iwvigatufi). 



Cascuta europaea and its hosts, V. B. Wittrock (^rrnsk Bot. Tidskr., 3 

 (1909). Xo. 1, pp. l-tl. figs. 2). — A brief discussion of this parasite is given, 

 followed by a host index of over 100 plants an-anged according to families. 



The common toad flax, C Kraus (Arb. Dent. Land to. Gesell., 1909. Vo. 166, 

 pp. 5-23, pi. 1, figs. 18). — A discussion of the weed varieties of the genus 

 Linaria is followed by a statement of the habitat and geographical distribution 

 of the common toad flax, a description of the plant, a statement of its habits, 

 and a discussion of methods of eradication. 



HORTICULTURE. 



New methods of plant breeding, G. W. Oliver (11. S!. Dept. Agr.. Bur. Plant 

 Indus. Bui. 167. pp. 39. pis. 15. jigs. 2). — This bulletin deals with methods used 

 by the author in accomplishing what have hitherto been considered impossible 

 or diflicuit crosses. The prominent feature of these methods consists of " de- 



