476 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Rules and apparatus for seed testing ( U. S. Dept. Agr., Office of Experiment 

 Stations Circ. 34, rev. ed., />/>. 24. figs. 11). — This is a revised edition of Circular 34 

 (E. S. R., 9, p. 143), which describes the rules and apparatus for seed testing, the 

 present edition giving special attention to the description of improved apparatus, 

 more specific directions regarding sampling, and more definite information regarding 

 the seed bed, temperature, duration of test, etc. This circular is the work of a 

 committee appointed by the Association of American Agricultural Colleges and 

 Experiment Stations at its meeting in November, 1903. 



Experiments with seeds and seedling's, B. D. Halsted and J. A. Kelsey 

 {New Jersey Stas. Rpt. 1903, pp. 510-517). — During the period covered by this report 

 experiments were made with squash and other seeds to determine the time required 

 for the germination of various cucurbitaceous seeds. In connection with the germi- 

 nation tests a study w T as made of the method by which the thick seed coats are 

 removed and the young plant emerges from its covering. The effect of mutilating 

 squash seeds and of the mutilation of corn on germination is reported upon, and a 

 brief account given of the germination of Martynia or Unicorn plant seed. 



Experiments with weeds, B. D. Halsted and J. A. Kelsey (New Jersey Stas. 

 J!l>t. 1903, pp. 498-504). — A report is given on the condition of the various weeds in 

 the weed belt which has been maintained for 7 years, and the relative rank of the 

 different species is practically the same as noted in the previous report (E. S. R., 15, 

 p. 159). 



Extended notes are given on a species of Galensoga, which has become a trouble- 

 some weed in New Jersey, and an account is given of the black nightshade (Solanum 

 nil/rum) and notes given on its reputed poisonous properties. An account is also 

 given of the broom rape (Orobanche ramosa) as a parasite on tomatoes grown in the 

 greenhouse. 



Report of the botanist, 1903, W. A. Buckhoct (Pennsylvania Dept. Agr. Rpt. 

 1903, pp. 587-590). — A description is given of a number of weeds which have become 

 troublesome, among the more persistent ones being the horse nettle, hop clover, 

 sheep sorrel, field cress, and Galinsoga parviflora. This weed, which has been 

 recently introduced, probably from South America, seems to be slowly spreading in 

 moist ground throughout the State. A suggestion is made for eradication of weeds 

 in fields, lawns, etc., and brief notes given on a number of plant diseases. 



Prickly pear extermination (Natal Agr. Jour, ami Min. Rec, 7 (1904), No. 7, pp. 

 716-718). — A description is given of what is called the Queensland system of prickly 

 pear extermination, which consists of the use of a sodium-arsenate spray made by 

 combining 4 lbs. of white arsenic and 3 lbs. of washing soda in 1 gal. of water. After 

 boiling for half an hour the solution is used at the rate of 5 to 8 oz. added to 1 gal. 

 of water. 



The destruction of wild mustard, Roussille ( Bui. Soc. Nat. Agr. France, 64 ( 1904), 

 No. 6, pp. 451, 452). — A brief account is given of a comparative test of power and 

 hand spraying apparatus for use in combating the wild mustard. The herbicide used 

 in each case was composed of 4 kg. copper nitrate to 100 liters of water. This was 

 applied at the rate of from 800 to 1,000 liters per hectare, and was used successfully 

 for the destruction of the weed without any injury to the crop, which in this case 

 was oats. 



All the forms of apparatus tested proved satisfactory, particularly the hand machines, 

 which were adapted to use on a limited area. Iron sulphate, when used at the rate 

 of 300 kg. mixed with 200 kg. of plaster, applied to a hectare, gave very unsatisfactory 

 results. 



Destruction of wild mustard, Triboulet, Rommatin, and Saint-Quentin (Bui. 

 Soc. Nat. Agr. France, 64 (1904), No. 6, pp. 461-466). — The results of experiments 

 with copper and iron sulphate solutions, and the use of the same in powdered form 

 for the destruction of wild mustard and wild radish in growing crops, are given. 



