

DISEASES OF PLANTS. 653 



Three new weeds of the mustard family, L. H. Dewey ( U. 8. 

 Dept. Ayr., Division of Botany Give. 10, pp. 6, figs. 3.) — Illustrated 

 descriptive notes are given on 3 new plants of the mustard family 

 which have been reported from several localities in northern United 

 States and Canada during the past few years. Although confined to 

 comparatively small areas and having thus far caused little damage, 

 in some places they are becoming very aggressive weeds. The species 

 enumerated are Berteroa ineana, the hare's ear mustard (Gonringia 

 orientalis), and ball mustard (Neslia paniculata). 



Testing seeds, C. D. Woods {Maine Sta. Bui. 36, pp. 8). — This bulletin contains 

 "An act to regulate the sale of agricultural seeds," enacted by the Maine legisla- 

 ture, aud rules for testing the purity of seeds taken from those adopted by the 

 Association of American Agricultural Colleges and Experiment Stations, but modi- 

 fied to conform to the requirements of the law of the State. Standards of purity 

 and germination of agricultural seeds are given in a table. 



Concerning the germination of Fraxinus, G. F. L. Sarauw (Tidsskr. Skov., 6, 

 pp. 02-70). 



Concerning the longevity of seeds and their preservation in the soil, Naudin 

 (Bui. Soc. Xat. Acclim. France, 1S97, Feb. -June). 



The vitality of refrigerated seeds, H. T. Brown (Nature, 57, No. 1468, p. 150). — 

 Calls attention to the work of Giglioli on latent vitality of seeds (E. S. R., 7, p. 406). 



Concerning the composition cf the seed and etiolated seedlings of Lupinus 

 angustifolius, M. Merlis (Landw. Vers. Stat., 48 (1897), Xo. 6, pp. 419-454). 



Work with weeds, B. D. Halstep (New Jersey Stas. Rpt. 1896, pp. 402-404, figs. .?).— 

 A case for examining commercial seed for weed seed and other foreign matter is 

 figured and described. The Russian thistle which was reported from Weehawken 

 last year seems to have been destroyed, no trace of it being reported during the 

 year, nor has it been f mnd elsewhere in the State. The occurrence of dodder upon 

 seedling eggplants grown in a hotbed and upon onions is reported. 



Cuscuta monogyna on grape:, A. Rolloff (Ztschr. r/lan:< nkrank., 7 (1S97), No. 

 4, p. 213). — The occurrence of this species of dodder on grapevines is mentioned, aud 

 placing finely cut straw thickly about the vines is recommended as a preventive 

 means. 



On the eradication of Cuscuta, Noffray (Jour. Soc. Agr. Brabant-Hainaut, 1S97, 

 No. 40). 



Noxious weeds (Jour. Agr. andlnd., South Australia, 1 (1897), No. 4, pp. 322-324, 

 figs. 2). — Notes are given of the Canada thistle and of Xanthium spinosum. 



Effect of Swainsonia galegifolia on sheep, C. T. Martin (Agr. Gaz. New South 

 Wales, 8 (1897), Xo. 6, pp. 36.1-369). 



Concerning Lathyrus tuberosus as a grain-field weed, R. Schaffer (Jahresber. 

 Preus. Bot. Ver., lS96-'97, p. 45). 



Poisonous plants of Germany, F. G. L. Gressler (Langensalza : F. G. L. Greasier, 

 1897, pp. 40, pis. 8). 



DISEASES OF PLANTS. 



Report of the botanist, B. D. Halsted {Xeic Jersey Stas. Rpt. 

 1896, pp. 289-429, figs. 60).— The work of the botanical department of 

 the station for the year was mostly field experiments at the college 

 farm and elsewhere, supplemented with laboratory investigations. The 

 principal lines of work were with fungicides on various truck crops and 

 on a few kinds of ornamental plants. A study of the peach gall was 



