768 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Concerning the germination of leguminous seed and its influence by- 

 micro-organisms, L. lIiLTXER {Arb. K. Gcsundheitmmte, Biol. Aht., 3 {1902), No. 

 l,l>p. 1-103, tigs. 4). — After describing the structure and general characteristics of 

 leguminous seed, some of the injuries to which this kind of seed is subject are dis- 

 cussed and their causes described. The effect of Ascochyta 'jjlsi, Cephalothecium roseum, 

 Penicillium, and various bacteria on the viability of seed are discussed. The occur- 

 rence of hard seed in samples of leguminous seed is mentioned and the various 

 methods practiced for securing their germination are described. The relation of 

 soil organisms to leguminous seeds is discussed, and the effect of wounds upon the 

 germination of seed, soaking, scratching seed coats, etc., are given in some detail. 

 The predisposition of leguminous plants to certain root tubercle organisms is stated, 

 and experiments are described in which seed inoculation and soil inoculation were 

 compared. Conclusions are drawn for the information of agriculturists and gardeners. 



The action of alcohol on germination of seeds, L. Sukatscheff [Bot. CentbL, 

 Bcihefte, 13 {IHO..'), jip. 137, 138; <Ois. in .Tour. Iloij. Micros. Soc. \_Londo7i], 1902, No. 

 5, J). 57.5).— The author reports that seeds of lupine and pea can remain for a consid- 

 erable time in alcohol of various strengths without losing their capacity for germina- 

 tion. The wounding of seeds of yellow lupine and peppergrass, or the removal of 

 the testa does not lead to as rapid a loss of germinative capacity as the results of 

 some investigators tend to show. 



Resistance of seeds to poisons, H. H. Dixon {Notes Bot. School, Trinity Col., 

 Dtihlin, 190.^, No. .5, pj>. 187, 188). — In continuation of experiments previously reported 

 (E. S. R., 13, p. 462), a brief account is given of the resistance of seed to the influ- 

 ence of alcohol, corrosive sublimate, etc. The resistance of the seeds to these poisons 

 is attributed to the imperviousness of their seed coats to tiie fluids in which they 

 were inmiersed. 



California grown sugar-beet seed {Pacific Rural Press, 65 {1903), No. 4, 1^- 52). — 

 A brief account is given of tests of sugar-beet seed grown in California and subjected 

 to the tests required by the German seed test regulations. The large seed, which 

 numbered 41,493 to the kilogram, averaged 185 sprouts to each 100 seed balls. The 

 small seed germinated only an average of 94 as compared with 130 sprouts to the 100 

 seed l)alls required 1)y the above-mentioned regulations. 



The Canada thistle and dandelioh, L. H. Pammel {lon-a Sta. Bui. 61, pp. 

 143-148, figs. 5). — A description is given of the Canada thistle, which is regarded as 

 one of the most noxious weeds of the State, and its distribution so far as represented 

 by herbarium specimens is indicated. Various methods of extermination are 

 described and a report given of attempts to combat this pest by sjiraying with dilute 

 crude carbolic acid. This did not prove satisfactory, but when the dilute acid was 

 injected about the root stocks they were killed for several inches below the ground. 

 If this method be employed, following it up as the young thistles appear, the pest 

 may be eradicated from lawns or similar regions where the area is not too extensive 

 to permit of this method of treatment. The dandelion is also descril)ed as a trouble- 

 some weed, particularly in lawns, and the continued mowing of the lawn with occa- 

 sional pulling up of the plants will after a while eradicate it. 



Charlock or yellow weed {Farmers' Gaz., 61 {1902), No 28, p. 493).— A brief 

 report is given of experiments conducted on one of the council farms in Lancashire 

 County, in which a crop of clover containing charlock was sprayed with 3 and 4 per 

 cent solutions of copper sulphate, and 12 and 15 per cent iron sulphate at the rate of 

 50 gal. per acre. Where the 3 per cent sulphate of copper was applied, 2 sprayings 

 being given, less than 1 per cent of the charlock set seed. A single spraying of sul- 

 phate of copper gave 9J per cent and another 24i per cent of seed-bearing plants. 

 Two sprayings of copper sulphate gave 6 per cent of charlock seed, while 15 per cent 

 spraying of iron sulphate, only 1 application l)eing given, resulted in 47 per cent 

 of charlock seed. The weight of the dried charlock plants was in nearly the same 

 proportion in each case. 



