976 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



of carbon dioxid given off by the seed. These were examined for their germination 

 after 2^ years, 5 years, and 7 years 4 months. The germinations secured in the 

 different trials are reported upon. Those tested after the 5 years' interval showed 

 that the following seed germinated well in the vacuum: Spinach, colza, cal)bage, 

 turnips, white and black mustard, cress, lujiiiu', clover, beans, corn salad, and 

 squash, while wlieat, rA^e, barley, oats, maizo, ))uck wheat, spurry, and poppy were 

 decidedly injured by the treatment. Seeds of garlic, cumin, and chervil were 

 killed. Similar results were obtained in the test conducted 7 years and 4 months 

 after sealing up the seed. In general the results show that oil-bearing seed are 

 better preserved in a vacuum than in contact with the air. Among the starchy 

 seeds the ones which best w' ithstood the ]>rolonged deprivation of air were spinach, 

 corn salad, clover, lupine, and beans, while wheat, rye, barley, oats, maize, and 

 buckwheat were rapidly destroyed by such treatment. The author attributes the 

 depreciation of oil-bearing seed to the rapid alteration of the fatty bodies in the 

 presence of oxygen. 



Red clover seed and its impurities, 1). Finlayson {Aynsoiiie Agr. Sta., Grange- 

 over-Sands, Cent. Seed-Texthig Jjdb. Farmers' Bui. 1, pp. 8, pi. 1). — Attention is drawn 

 to some of the impurities found in red clover seed and directions given for sampling 

 and for determining the puritj' and germination of clover seed. The author distin- 

 guishes between the red clover, which he calls Trifotiurn pratennf, and the perennial 

 red clover, to which the name Tnfolinm pratense perenne is given. 



Notes on weeds, T. W. Kikk (Ar/r Zealand Dcpt. Agr. Rpt. 1903, pp. 373-380, 

 figs. 3). — Notes are given on a number of noxious weeds and suggestions for their 

 eradication. Particular attention is given to the ragweed {Senecio jacobeus) and the 

 oxtongue (PIcris echioide,^). 



DISEASES OF PLANTS. 



Plant depredations and plant culture, F. W. Rane {Proc. Soc. Prom. Agr. Sci. 

 1903, pp. 160-1G4). — The author attempts to emphasize the relation which exists 

 between host plants and their parasites and points out a condition which influences 

 to a greater or less extent their relationship. He argues for the better care of the 

 host plant, neglect and improper handling being accompanied by weakened plants 

 which are more suliject to insect and fungus attack. 



The aecidium as a device to restore vigor to the fungus, J. C. Arthur {Proc. 

 Sue. Prom. Agr. Sei. 1903, pp. 6,'>-G9). — The author dis(;usses the wintering forms of a 

 number of rust fungi and the possible effect of their liabit on the vigor of the parasite. 

 So far as known Puecinia rnhlgo-eera produces only uredospores in North America, 

 and on this account it is believed that this rust is less destructive than the black rust 

 or P. graminis. A second illustration studied was that of P. poarum. This rust forms 

 only uredospores in North America and is widely distributed, but produces so little 

 effect upon its host as to be almost always overlooked. In Europe it produces 3 forms of 

 spores, but some of the alternate hosts are wanting in this country. The author dis- 

 cusses the relation of P. gramhtiif to wheat and Ijarberry, and believes tiiat if all the 

 barberry plants could be totally destroyed the stem rust would ultimately become 

 much less harmful than at pi'esent. 



A contribution to the knowledge of rust fungi, E. Jacky ( Centbl. Bakl. u. 

 Par., 3. Abi., 9 [1903), Xos. 31, pp. 796-805; 33-33, pp. 841-844).— The results of a 

 series of culture experiments running over the years 1899-1902 are given, in which 

 the author claims that Puecinia bardanse is specialized on Lappa spp. and Puecinia 

 cirsii on Cirsium spp. Puecinia viohe is said to be autcecious on Viola spp. , Puecinia 

 helianthi auta>cious on Helianthus spp., and Puceinia prenantMs specialized on Pre- 

 navthes purpurea and Lactuca tmiralis. 



Inoculation experiments w^ith some Uredineee, F. Bubak {Centbl. Bakt. u. 

 Par., 3. Abt., 9 {1903), No. 35, pp. 913-938, ftg.^. 3) . — The results are given of inocu- 



