638 EXPERIMENT STATION BECORD. [Vol. 36 



tion, but only the methods of soil preparation, seeding, and yields are discussed 

 at this time. The results indicate that sweet clover will not do so well on well- 

 prepared soil as on that less thoroughly prepared, compactness of the soil seem- 

 ing to be the essential factor. A yield of 2,930 lbs. of cured hay was secured 

 from a half -acre plat sown to sweet clover after alfalfa and where deep plowing 

 had been impossible, as compared with failure to obtain a stand from plats 

 which had been seeded to grain the two preceding years. 



Sulphuric acid treatment of sweet clover seed gave a total germination per- 

 centage of 89, as compared with 78 per cent for scarified seed and 48 per cent 

 for untreated seed. 



Sweet potato culture, T. C. Johnson and J. T, Rosa, Jb. {Virginia Truck 

 Sta. Bui. 19 (1916), pp. 887-415, figs. jf5).— This bulletin deals with the cultiva- 

 tion and marketing of sweet potatoes in the eastern portions of Virginia. 



The proportion of grain to straw in varieties of wheat, J. T. Pridham (Agr. 

 Gaz. N. S. Wales, 27 {1916), No. 4, pp. 229-231) .—Some notes on tests with 55 

 varieties of wheat at the Ck)wra Experiment Farm for 1915 are given. The 

 object of these experiments was to estimate the relative productiveness of the 

 varieties and their suitability for hay. 



Selection plats. — A reminder to wheat growers, J. T. Pridham {Agr. Gas. 

 N. S. Wales, 27 {1916), No. 4, pp. 233, 23-^ ) .—Directions are given to farmers 

 for laying out seed plats for the purpose of selecting their owti seed wheat. 



[Seed corrosion and its prevention], E. Molz {Landw. Wchnschr. Sachsen, 

 18 {1916), No. 9, pp. 79-8i).— This article deals with the treatment of wheat 

 with formaldehyde and its effect on germination. Varying strengths of for- 

 maldehyde were used and the germination of the seed tested in artificial seed 

 beds and in the field. The range of germination in the artificial seed bed was 

 from 14.5 to 9G.5 per cent, while in the field the range was from to 85.6 

 per cent. 



The seed situation in Utah, G. Stewart {Utah Sta. Circ. 23 {1916), pp. 3-31, 

 figs. 12). — This circular is a general discussion of the selection and testing of 

 seed for planting. Specific directions are given for the testing of cereals, 

 grasses, vegetables and flowers, and potatoes, and for the field selection of 

 seed of the small grains, corn, potatoes, and forage crops. 



The seed business in the first year of the war, M. Heinkich {Illus. Landw. 

 Ztg., S5 {1915), No. 104, PP- 669, 670).— This article gives a brief discussion of 

 the German seed situation in respect to prices and the source of the seed for a 

 number of the more common grasses and clovers. 



Clover and grass seed for spring sowing, 1916, M. Heinrich {Illus. Landw. 

 Ztg., 36 {1916), No. 15, pp. 91, 92). — This article discusses the average germina- 

 tion, purity, and cost of a number of the more common clover and grass seeds 

 available for sowing in 1916 as compared with the averages for the past 

 10-year period. The data are presented in tabular form. 



[Computing actual values of clover and grass seed], M. Heinrich (Deut. 

 Landw. Presse, 43 {1916), No. 8, pp. 57, 58). — This article describes a method 

 for computing the actual value of a grass or clover seed, based on the following 



formula: x= r> w ^ In this formula, Rg=gnaTantied purity of eeed; 



ligXJi.g 



£p=guarantied germination of seed; i?=actual purity; JS'=actual germination; 



r=variation in purity; i=variation in germination; and a=Btipulated price. 



Characteristics of quack grass (Agropyron repens) and western wheat 



grass (A. occidentale), with special emphasis on the eradication of quack 



grass, A. N. Hume and S. L. Sloan {South Dakota Sta. Bui. 170 {1916), pp. 



497-524, figs. 9). — Quack grass and western wheat grass are described and 



compared and their habits of growth illustrated. Special emphasis is laid on 



