SEEDS WEEDS. 



563 



Tree planting in waste places on the farm, C. A. Keffek (77. S. Dept. Agr. 

 Yearbook 1896, pp. 323-340). — Popular notes on the needs and purposes of tree plant- 

 ing, selection of varieties, methods of planting, care of trees, etc. 



The Californian ash-leaved maple, J. C. Weinelt (Oesterr. Forst. u. Jagdw. Ztg., 

 15 {1S97), Xo. 46, p. 366, figs. 2). — Xotes are given on Acer californicum. 



Notes on cultivated conifers, C. S. Sargent (Gard. and Forest, 10 (1S97), Xo. 

 512, pp. 490, 401, figs. 2). 



Notes on cultivated conifers, VIII, C. S. Sargent (Gard. and Forest, 10 (1897), 

 Xo. 509, pp. 460,461). — Notes are given of the cultivated species of Pinus. 



Forest planting in the Kiev government, I. Rev (Zemledyelie, 1897, pp. 151, 152, 

 177-179). 



Concerning the effect of lightning on trees, D. Jonesen (Dins. Lausanne, 1897 ; 

 abs. in Bot. Cental. Beihefte, 7 (1S97), No. 3, pp. 208, 209). 



SEEDS— WEEDS. 



The superior value of large, heavy seed, G. IT. Hicks and J. C. 

 Dabney ( U. 8. Dept. Agr. Yearbook 1896, pp. 305-322, Jigs. 10). — 

 General remarks are made on seed selection, the principles involved in 

 if, methods, etc. Experiments to test the effect of size and weight of 

 seed on plants grown from them are reported. The seed used was of 

 known origin, all seed of each variety having been grown in one place. 

 The seed was divided into 2 lots, heavy and light. The plants were 

 given sand culture in a greenhouse under identical conditions as far 

 as possible. A number of figures of the plants in different stages of 

 their growth are given. 



The results with soy beans were as follows, the experiment being 

 closed when the plants were in bloom: 



Average growth of soy beans from 5 heavy and 5 light seeds. 



The authors state that, " although the average root length was 

 greater in soy beans grown from light seed, the total root development 

 was much less." A diagram is given showing that, contrary to the 

 observations of Hellriegel, the difference in plants from heavy and light 

 seed was most marked toward maturity, there being less difference in 

 the early stages of growth. 



Pea plants from large seed began to blossom 4 days earlier than 

 those from small seed, produced the first marketable peas 4 days earlier, 



