534 



EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD. 



[Vol. 36 



inferior milling qualities. The grade rules for northern spring wheats of the 

 Minnesota State grain-inspection specify that it should not be graded higher 

 than No. 3. Milling and baking tests in cooperation with the North Dakota 

 Experiment Station were conducted with single samples of Humpback wheat 

 from the 1908 and 1909 crops and nine samples from the 1910 crop. These 

 samples were all from Minnesota and were compared with samples of Bluestem 

 and Velvet Chaff wheats of the 1910 crop from North Dakota and Minnesota, 

 with results summarized as follows: 



Comparison of results of milUng and baking tests of Humpback wheats toith 

 other hard red spring wheats. 



Although Humpback evidently excels the smaller grain varieties in yield of 

 flour, its volume of loaf, absorption, and color of crumb are below the standard. 

 The rather high percentage of crude protein in the wheat and flour, coupled 

 with low " baking strength," marks a point of resemblance between Humpback 

 and the durum wheats. 



Variations in the plants from the same head of wheat, A. J. Bwabt (Jour. 

 Dept. Agr. Victoria, U (1916), No. S, pp. IGS, 169, fig. i).— This article gives the 

 results of some experiments with wheat suggested by work conducted at Ruther- 

 glen, Victoria, and previously noted (B. S. R., 36, p. 440). The experiments 

 were planned to obtain further evidence upon the variations in the fertility 

 and vigor of individual grains from different parts of the wheat spike. It was 

 found that germination was most rapid in the grains of the sixth row from the 

 top and that the average rate of germination decreased toward the base and 

 apex of the head. 



An effective head thrasher, W. E. Hangeb (Jour. Amer. Soc. Agron., 8 (1916), 

 No. 4, PP- 267, 268, pi. 1, fig. 1). — A head thrasher, constructed at the Maryland 

 Experiment Station, to be used in thrashing wheat or oats in variety tests is 

 described. 



Agricultural seed. — Concerning weeds and weed seeds, G. P. Btjbns and 

 A. K. Peiteksen (Vermont Sta. Bui. 200 (1916), pp. S-79, figs. 52).— Pages 5-60 

 of this bulletin include a discussion of the Vermont seed inspection law and a 

 report of the results of the 1916 seed inspection. Pages 60-69 contain a dis- 

 cussion of weeds, their nature and control, together with illustrations and 

 brief descriptions of 52 weeds commonly found in agricultural seed. 



The use of sulphuric acid in combating weeds infesting wheat, A. Moket- 

 TiNi (Staz. Sper. Agr. Ital., 48 (1915), No. 10-11, pp. 695-7i6) .—According to the 

 results of experiments here reported, the use of sulphuric acid at a strength of 

 66° B. in a solution of 10 per cent by volume and at the rate of 1,000 liters 

 per hectare (about 107 gal. per acre), was of medium efliciency in combating 



