SEEDS ^WEEDS. 259 



the temperature of the Hurroundin*! atmospliere. The (hfferences hetween tlie tir and 

 birch were greater than between the pine and birch, the maximum variation being 

 6.9° C. when the temperature of the air was 25° f'., the difference between the pine 

 and birch being 3.3°. — p. fireman. 



SEEDS— WEEDS. 



Annual report of the seed-control station at Vienna, T. von Weinzierl 



{Zlxchr. LuihIw. ]Vrsi(c]tstr. OcMerr., 5 {1902), No. 3, pp. 515-54S). — A report is given 

 of the investigations conducted at the seed-control station in Vienna for tlie year 

 ended July 1, 1901. During this period 27,238 samples of seed were examined, and 

 11,356 packages of seed were attested and sealed, the most of which were red clover 

 and alfalfa seed. A detailed report is given, showing the maximum, minimum, and 

 average purity and germination of all of the principal seeds tested. Tlie investiga- 

 tions of forage plant seeds for the ])resence of dodder is reported ui)<)n, in which a 

 slight increase in the percentage of samples containing this i)arasite is rejaorted. 

 Separate re]iorts are given of the investigation of beet seed, flaxseed, forest tree seed, 

 and cereals. Notes are also given on a number of plant diseases which were identi- 

 fied at the station during the year. The laboratory and field experiments with 

 various culture crops are briefly descrilH><l. 



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

 reference to small and large seed, F. (\. Miller and L. H. Pammel {loira Sta. 

 Bid. 63, pp. 155-177, ph. 5) . — This is a reprint from an article in the proceedings of 

 the twenty-second annual meeting of the Society for Promotion of Agricultural 

 Science, 1901 (E. S. R., 14, p. 52). 



Plants injurious in agriculture and horticulture, E. Menault ami H. lious- 

 SEAU {Le,s -plantcs nuisibles eiiiKjriculture ct en hortknilture. Pari.v Odnre Doin, 1902, 

 pp. XVTI-\-S14, pli^- SO). — Illustrations and descriptions are given of a number of the 

 more troublesome weeds occurring in France, together with parasitic phanerogams, 

 and a num])cr of plant diseases. Among the plant parasites those described are the 

 princijial fungi which attack cereals, the grape; the mildews of potat(>, lettuce, beets; 

 and several species of Cuscuta and Orobanche occurring on various leguminous plants. 

 The third part of the work is taken up with methods for the destruction of these 

 various pests, in which cultivation, treatment with chemicals, the growing of heavy 

 crops which smother out the weeds, and the use of fungicides for the prevention of 

 plant <liseases ai-e described. 



The broom rapes, R. Rooer {Jour. Agr. ProL, v. set., 4 {1902), No. 32, jiji. 1S6, 

 187, fig. 1). — Brief descrijitions are given of Orobdiidie cjjithyiiinm, O. rapuni, and 

 O. minor, and suggestions given for the eradication of these pests. 



Broom rape, G. Martinet and A. Estoppey {Chron. Agr. Canton Vdud, 15 {1902), 

 No. 14, x>p. 402-404, fig. 1). — A description is given of the common broom rape 

 {Orohanchc minor). This is parasitic on alfalfa and also other species of clover. 

 For its destruction the authors suggest the pulling up of the plants before the 

 maturity of the seed, but where that is impracticable the covering and burning of 

 the aflected plants, both host and parasite. 



Dodder — its life history and remedies, D. McAlpine {Jour. DrjH.Agr. Victoria, 

 1 {1902), No. 3, pp. 325-329). — A description is given of Cascuta epitJu/mum, a species 

 of dodder which affects alfalfa, clover, and other plants. The life history, local 

 characteristics, and distribution of this parasite are given and various suggestions 

 offered for its control. Among the remedies offered are cutting the crop before the 

 dodder matures its seed, burning over affected areas, spraying with a 5 per cent 

 solution of iron sulphate, or watering the area affected by the parasite with sulphuric 

 acid at the rate of 1 part to 200 parts of water. 



