108 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



one important factor governing the longevity of good seed is.dryness." A considera- 

 ble bibliography of literature is given. 



Seed testing for farmers, B. 0. Longyeab {Michigan Shi. Bui. //.', pp. 11, figs. 

 30). — Popular directions are given for the examination of seed for impurities and 

 testing them for their germinative ability, as well as descriptions and notes on the 

 more common weed seed found in examining alfalfa and various clover seeds. 



Trifolium incarnatum, D. Finlayson (Aynsome Agr. Shi., Grange-over-Sands, 

 Cent. Seed-Testing Lab. Farmers' Bui. 5, pp. 8, figs. 7). — A discussion is given of the 

 crimson clover (T. incarnatum) in which its value for renovating lands for hay crop, 

 etc., is shown. Attention is called to the necessity of early cutting in case it is used 

 as a hay crop, since the abundant hairs result in the formation of balls in the intes- 

 tines of animals, frequently causing death. A description is given of the seeds of 

 crimson clover, and the average purity and germination of a good quality of commer- 

 cial seed are given. Illustrated notes are also given of the more common weed seeds 

 which are met with as impurities in samples of clover ^'i'(\. 



Rice weeds in Louisiana, W. R. Dodson (Louisiana Shis. Bui. 77, 2. ser., />j>. 

 394-420, figs. 14). — This bulletin describes and illustrates the more important weeds 

 growing in the rice fields of Louisiana and gives suggestions for their destruction. It 

 is, in a way, a continuation of a previous publication on this subject (E. S. R., 12, p. 

 760). A number of new weeds are described, and additional points in the eradica- 

 tion of others have been developed, so that this publication will take the place of the 

 previous one. 



Charlock spraying {Jour. Bd. Agr. [London'], 11 (1904), No. 3, pp. 155, 156). — A 

 brief summary is given of investigations carried on in 1902-3 with charlock spraying 

 on 24 farms in the various counties in the south of Scotland. Altogether several 

 hundred acres w r ere sprayed, the herbicide used being a 3 percent solution of copper 

 sulphate at the rate of 50 gal. per acre. 



It was found that one spraying under favorable circumstances would kill the char- 

 lock, but this was dependent on proper application under suitable climatic condi- 

 tions. In many instances two applications at intervals of 10 days were required to 

 completely eradicate the weed from growing cereals. There was found no necessary 

 relation between the size of the plant and the stage when it could be most easily 

 destroyed. In cold, backward seasons and on exposed land the charlock frequentyl 

 comes into flower when less than 3 in. in height. Such plants are usually of slow 

 growth, stunted, and are much more difficult to kill than when the plant is young 

 and succulent. In cases of this kind it was found desirable to use a 4 per cent instead 

 of a 3 per cent solution. 



The destruction of wild mustard, H. Hitiek (Jour. Agr. Prat., n. ser., 7 {1904), 

 No. 16, pp. 510, 511). — In response to many inquiries regarding the efficiency of 

 chemicals for the destruction of wild mustard, the author summarizes the claims put 

 forth for different herbicides. He describes the method of preparation and applica- 

 tion of solutions of copper sulphate, copper nitrate, iron sulphate, and iron-sulphate 

 powder. 



The time for applying the different chemicals is given, and their efficiency not 

 only toward the wild mustard but other weeds is shown. The amount of injury 

 which any of these chemicals produce on cereals, clover, alfalfa, etc., is said to be 

 small. While these chemicals are claimed to be efficient for the destruction of wild 

 mustard, the average cost is said to be rather excessive, being from $2 to $3 per acre. 



A new method for the destruction of mustard, L. Oazaux (Prog. Agr. et Yit. 

 (Ed. L' Est), 25 (1904), No. IS, pp. 556, 557). — An account is given of the use of finely 

 powdered iron sulphate spread upon the field at the rate of 200 to 300 kg. per hectare. 

 This treatment was quite efficient in destroying the mustard and was without injury 

 to the crops, which were barley and oats. 



