6S4 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



A mixture of 15 lbs. calcium cyanamid to 100 lbs. of kainit also destroyed the 

 weed and improved the growth of the oats. 



On the conservation of the vitality of weed seeds in lower strata of cul- 

 tivated soils, O. MuNEEATi and T. V. Zapparoli {Staz. Sper. Agr. ItaL, 46 

 {1913), No. 5, pp. 347-371, fig. 1). — The factors heat, moisture, oxygen, light, 

 and compression are discussed as influencing the vitality of the seeds and their 

 germination when exposed to the surface by plowing and cultivation. The 

 condition of the seed at the moment it becomes buried is considered the most 

 important factor. 



The effect on the germinative ability of seeds of Orobanche crenata by 

 passing' them through cattle and by fermentation of the feces, A. Morettini 

 {Staz. Sper. Agr. Ital, 46 (1913), No. 9, pp. 589-606) .—The results of feeding 

 animals with forage containing these seeds are given as follows: Digestion by 

 cattle and horses did not reduce the germinative ability, even when the seeds 

 remained in the digestive tract from 12 to 48 hours; the seeds lost their ger- 

 minative ability in the fermentation of the manure; the destructive action of 

 the manure was in causing the decomposition of the seeds; and well-rotted 

 manure was not a means of infection. 



HORTICULTURE. 



Large seed a factor in plant production, IM. R. Cummings (Vermont 8ta. 

 Bui. 177 (1914), pp. 89-123, pis. 4). — The author here reports a series of experi- 

 ments conducted with seeds of a number of plants, including sweet peas, sweet 

 pumpkins, Hubbard squash, lettuce, beans, parsley, radishes, spinach, and gar- 

 den peas with the view of determining the relative value of large and small 

 seed on plant production. The results are here presented in tabular form and 

 fully discussed. 



The experiments as a whole show a distinct advantage in using large and 

 heavy seed. In the case of sweet peas large and heavy seed resulted in earlier 

 blooming, a larger total number of blossoms, and a larger number of blossoms 

 of good quality. The plants also were heavier and more prolific and thrifty. 

 Small squash and pumpkin seed gave a larger number and a greater total 

 weight of fruit, but were markedly inferior with reference to number and 

 weight of ripe fruit. The use of large lettuce seed resulted in the production of 

 larger seedlings, an increased weight of edibly matured plants which displayed 

 better heading-up capabilities, earliness, and uniformity. Of the crops tested, 

 garden peas alone made little or no response to size selection of seed when the 

 seed was harvested as green peas. There was a slight gain for plants from 

 large seed allowed to mature. Large bean seed gave an earlier product, but 

 at the same time the large seed was slower in germinating. Some observa- 

 tions were made of the place origin of small seeds in pods of beans and peas. 

 In beans 49 per cent of the small seed were found to occur in the basal end, 

 while 18 per cent occurred in the middle of the pod. In the garden peas the 

 small seeds were almost always found at the ends of the pods, with one end as 

 prolific as the other. 



Report of the horticulturist, C. F. Kinman (Porto Rico Sta. Rpt. 1913, pp. 

 16-21, pis. 2). — Investigations with fruits, vegetables, and miscellaneous plants 

 were continued along the lines previously noted (E. S. E,., 29, p. 637). 



Although the cooperative fertilizer experiments with citrus fruits were prac- 

 tically closed during the previous year, the i)lats on which the effects of muriate 

 and sulphate of pota.sh were being compared were continued. The results again 

 show that there is no great difference between these two fertilizers and that 

 the general belief among Porto Rican growers that muriate of potash is injuri- 



