544 EXPEEIMENT STATION RECORD. 



by constant pasturing or mowing on land remaining unbroken for several years, 

 can be killed out l)y a minimum of cultivation. 



The identification of several species of dodder by means of the differences 

 in the nature of the seeds, H. von Guttenberg (Naturw. Ztschr. Forst u. 

 Landw., 7 (1909), No. 1, pp. 32-43, figs. 7).— The characters of the more common 

 varieties of dodder are discussed, and the structural differences in the seeds 

 of Ciiscula trifolM, C. europcea, C. epilinum, C. arvensis, and C svaveolens are 

 described. A key to aid in the determination of the different species is arranged. 



HORTICULTURE. 



The etherization of plants for forcing puiTJOses, W. Stuart (Trans. Mass. 

 Hort. Soc, 1909, I, pp. 67-87, dgin. 1). — In this paper the author considers the 

 effect of ether, chloroform, and other substances upon plants under two general 

 headings, namely, the physiological effect upon the tissues of a plant in an 

 active growing condition, and the growth acceleration effect upon the plants in 

 a state of rest. The experimental data on these subjects is reviewed, including 

 earlier results secured by the author (E. S. R., 19, p. 235), and data are given 

 on some anesthesia experiments conducted with lilacs and astilbe in 1907-8. 



In summing up the author concludes that anesthetics and toxic substances 

 such as alcohol, acetone, and other similar agents employed in small amounts, 

 as well as nonanesthetic or nontoxic agents such as freezing, vacuum, and 

 desiccation, all arrest growth and remove the moisture from the plant tissues 

 in a very similar manner, and result in a more or less decided growth accelera- 

 tion. Hot water appears to impart a distinct shock to the cell protoplasm and 

 tissues, and acts also as a solvent in softening up the winter protecting scales 

 inclosing the leaf and flowering buds, thereby hastening the winter forcing of 

 shrubs. Taking all the factors which influence growth into consideration, it is 

 concluded that thus far no one forcing substance may be said to be superior 

 to all others although ether, because of its more general use, has come to be 

 regarded as the best anesthetic to use in forcing plants. 



A bibliography of the subject is appended. 



On a simple process of forcing plants by warm baths, H. Molisch ( Sitsbcr. 

 K. Akad. Wiss. [Vienna], Math. Naturw. Kl., 117 (190S), No. 1, pp. 87-117, 

 pis. 2). — This is a full account of the author's investigations along this line, 

 abstracts of which have been noted fi'om other sources (E. S. R., 20, p. 640). 



Third series of investigations on the grafting of herbaceous plants, E. 

 Griffon (Bvl. 8oc. Bot. France, 56 (1909), No. 3-^, pp. 203-210, pis. 2).— As 

 reported in his previous work with Solanums and other herbaceous plants 

 (E. S. R., 20, p. 751), the author finds that seedlings grown from previously 

 grafted plants comport themselves in a manner similar to those grown from 

 ungrafted plants. In a large number of new grafts made among solanaceous, 

 legtiminous, and composite plants which are here described no variations were 

 noted which might be said to be caused by grafting. 



[Horticultural progress at the Troupe Substation], W. S. Hotchkiss 

 (Texas Sta. Bid. 121, pp. 3-6, 7-9, figs. 10). — This consists of a summary of 

 work conducted with orchard and small fruits and vegetables at the Troupe 

 Substation since its establishment in 1902, including varietal lists of peaches, 

 plums, apples, and persimmons which have proved most promising, together 

 with notes on varieties of grapes least susceptible to mildew and rot, and which 

 have continued to make good crops regardless of adverse weather conditions. 

 The previously published report on varieties of strawberries (E. S. R., 16, p. 

 lOSl) has been verified by subsequent tests. 



