52 EXPEEIMENT STATION KECORD. 



checks and the so-called wind shakes which occur in timber, and which are not 

 generally understood. The conclusion is reached that the greater part of the so- 

 called wind shakes in timber is in reality primarily due to frost. Two forms of frost 

 checks are described. One crosses the annual rings in a radial manner and is due to 

 contraction caused by frost. The other form, which is called expansion checks, 

 extends in a circular direction, following along the annular rings. The first form 

 extends from the outside of the tree inward, while the expansion checks do not show 

 on the surface of the tree. 



The use of anatomical characters in the identification, of wood, H. Stone 

 {JVaturc, 65 {lf)02), No. 1680, 'pp. 379, oSO, Jigs. 2). — The necessity of some means of 

 identifying woods is commented ujion, and the attempts of various authors along 

 this line are indicated. The microscopical characters of a number of kinds of wood 

 are described, and, based on the examination of wood of about 1,500 species, the 

 author is convinced that the character of the medullary rays is the most constant 

 feature and could be used as a basis of an artificial key for the determination of dif- 

 ferent kinds of timber. 



Table of the U. S. Government forest reserves arranged by States {Forestry 

 and Irrig., 8 {1902), No. 4i P- 152). — A tabular summary is given of the forest 

 reserves of the United States, their location and area. The grand total amounts to 

 46,327,969 acres, embraced in 13 States and Territories, there being 39 reserves at the 

 time of the compilation of the table. 



SEEDS— WEEDS. 



A study on the germination and growth of Leguminosae, especially with 

 reference to small and large seed, ¥. G. Millek and L. II. I'ammel {I'roc. Soc. 

 From. Agr. Sci. 1901, pp. 133-159, pis. 5). — Experiments are reported in which about 

 35 representatives of the family Leguminosse were studied, equal lots of large and 

 small seed being tested. Tabulated results of the germination tests are given and 

 the rate of growth of some of the plants is also shown. While the number of 

 experiments was so limited as to hardly warrant generalization, the results generally 

 indicated the superior value of large seeds. 



Some observations concerning the viability of red clover seed, S. Hammar 

 (A'. L<m(Jt. Akad. JImuU. 77(Mr., 40 (1901), Xo. 4, ]>i). 269-272). 



Weeds in general; two newcomers into Pennsylvania, W. A. Buckhout 

 {Fennsylvania Sta. Bui. 58, pp. 8, Jigs. 2). — A brief discussion is given of the distri- 

 bution and means for eradication of weeds, and 2 species recently introduced in the 

 State are recorded for the first time. These are the keeled garlic {Allium carinatum) 

 and the Southern scabious (»S'co6(os« awsiraZis). The first species has quite recently 

 been observed in one county of the State, and while still of very limited distribution 

 its character for spreading would indicate that unless attention is paid to it it will 

 soon spread to other regions. The characters of this plant are so similar to those of 

 field garlic {Allium vinealc) that the author believes it is liable to jirove a trouble- 

 some weed over all the sections occuj)ied by the last-named species. The second 

 new weed has likewise been reported from but a single station. It apparently thrives 

 best on low, wet grounds, and while not a prolific seed producer it has a vigorous 

 root system, by which it can spread with considerable rapidity. While neither of 

 these weeds is at present known to be a serious menace, they should be looked upon 

 with suspicion and eradicated wherever found. 



Two weedy plants new to America, L. R. Jones and A. W. Edson ( Vermont Sta. 

 Rj)t. 1901, pp. 255, 256). — Descripti(ins are given of the hoary alyssum {Berteroa 

 incanu) and the tul)erous sweet pea {Lathijvus luherosus). The hoary alyssum, which 

 had not been previously reported from the United States, was first found at Burling- 

 ton, Vt. It has since been found at a number of other places. The plant grows to a 



