r>4 



EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The different kinds of weed seeds were determined in the seed sam- 

 ples and results are summarized in the report. 



The author investigated the effecl of concentrated sulphurie acid on 

 " hard" seeds. It is well known that hard seed coats of wild or culti- 

 vated legumes can be prepared, both by mechanical means and by the 

 aid of chemicals, so as to allow water to penetrate the seed coat more 

 easily and effect germinal ion. A sampleof Lathyrus sylvestris seed was 

 steeped in concentrated sulphuric acid for one minute and the germi- 

 nation of the seed thus treated compared with untreated seed with 

 results as follows: 



The expenses of the control station during 1890-97 were 12,740.22 

 crowns ($4,754), covered by analysis fees received and by a Govern- 

 ment appropriation of 5,078.47 crowns ($2,119). — f. w. woll. 



Seed testing, C. R. Ball (Iowa Sta. Bui. 36, pp. 856, 857).— Brief 

 notes are given on Iairopean seed control, the progress of seed testing 

 in America, and seed testing in Iowa. Tables are given showing the 

 results of two tests made at intervals of one hundred days with lettuce, 

 parsnip, and watermelon seed. The seed was secured from five differ- 

 ent linns, and shows quite a range in the germination of the different 

 samples. The lettuce seed had depreciated greatly in the interval exist- 

 ing between the two experiments. The germinative power of the pars- 

 nip seed was slightly higher at the time of the second trial, and the 

 watermelon seed gave a much better germination at the second testing. 



Dodders infesting clover and alfalfa, L. H. Dewey ( U. S. Dept. Agr., Division of 

 Botany Ore. 14, pp. 7, figs. 2). — Notes are given ou the occurrence of some injurious 

 species of dodder, methods of propagation, distribution, and suggestions for their 

 eradication. The species in the United States which are considered injurious to 

 economic crops are the following: Alfalfa dodder (Cuscuta epithymum), flax dodder 

 (C. epilinum), clover dodder (C. raeemosa chiliana), warty dodder (C. indecora), and 

 field dodder (C\ arvensis). 



Massachusetts weeds, G. E. Stone (Massachusetts .state Bd. Agr. Bpt. 1807, pp. 

 268-877). — A statement is given of fche introduction and spread of numerous weeds, 

 together with a list of 30 species of the worst weeds, with directions for their 

 eradication. 



Plants reputed poisonous to stock, P. M. Bailey (Queensland Agr. Jour., 2 

 (1S9S), No. 2, pp. 131-133, pi. 1).— All species of the Cycadacese are reputed pois- 



