252 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



No. 4, pp. 174-181). — A description is given of the state forests of Fontaineblean, 

 and the principal species of trees are described. Oak with an undergrowth of beech 

 and hornbeam occupies about 46 per cent of the forest, Scotch fir about 20 per cent, 

 and the renxainder consists of mixed forest. The author descrilies the different 

 working plans under which the forest has been managed. The first were prepared 

 in 1861, modified in 1880, and still further amended in 1892, under which plan it is 

 now being worked. The net annual income derived from the state forest is said to 

 be about 28 francs per hectare. 



Forest trees and shrubs, S. A. Bedford ( Canada E.vpt. Farms Repts. 1900, pp. 

 373-376). — Notes are given on the present condition of the forest tree and shrub 

 plantation, hedges, and arboretum. The past season was a very unfavorable one for 

 forest tree growth, as a long continued spring drought interfered in a marked degree 

 with seedlings, cuttings, and newly planted trees. A list of about 90 species and 

 varieties of trees and shrubs, which have withstood the winter at Manitoba, is given. 

 A report is given on the present condition of the hedges which were begun in 1895, 

 in which the adaptability of the different plants for hedge purposes is briefly 

 described. During the season covered by the report, planting in the arboretum was 

 continued, particular attention being paid to maple, poplar, and other rapid growing 

 trees; and a list of the new varieties added during 1900 is given. 



SEEDS— WEEDS. 



The quality of clover seed offered in the French market, E. Sciiribaux {Jour. 

 Agr. Prat., 1901, I, No. 11, pp. 342, 343). — The author calls attention to the poor 

 quality of clover seed now in the French market. The hot summer of 1900 proved 

 very detrimental to the proper development and ripening of seeds, and as a result 

 seed merchants have mixed their old stocks with the new to the detriment of the 

 quality. Of 422 samples of clover seed already examined, the author found only 

 58.7 per cent which gave a germination amounting to 85 per cent or more, while 15 

 per cent germinated less than 50 per cent of its seeds. The specimens examined 

 showed a decided increase in the amount of cuscuta, and the author suggests that 

 purchasers of clover seed should exercise care in seeing that the qualitj^ is the best 

 to be obtained. Other things being equal, the author shows a decided preference 

 for the smaller sized seeds and recommends their purchase even at an increased price. 

 For sowing in France he recommends that clover seeds should be obtained from the 

 northern or cooler parts of Europe. Seed coming from the south of Europe and 

 from America is said not to be suited to French conditions. 



The seed industry in Germany {Florists' E.rchange, 13 {1901), No. 6, p. 123). — 

 A brief sketch is given of the seed industry, together with statistics of the area 

 devoted to many varieties and their production. 



Dodder in alfalfa, J. Whiteley {Queensland Agr. Jour., 8 {1901), No. 5, p. 333). — 

 The author recommends for the destruction of dodder growing in alfalfa fields the 

 cutting of the alfalfa in infested regions and destroying it by fire. The cut-over areas 

 are then to be covered with a mulch of straw or dr}' grass, 4 to 6 in. in depth. This 

 mulch effectually chokes the dodder but will admit the alfalfa growing through it. 



A new treatment for the destruction of cuscuta, Chefdebien {Rev. Vit., 15 

 {1901), No. 385, pp. 498-500). — The author recommends for the destruction of cus- 

 cuta in meadows where irrigation is possible the thorough flooding of the fields, 

 after cutting away the grass in the infested regions; and, a day or two after the soil 

 is dried over the parts of the field affected by the dodder, to sow broadcast nitrate of 

 soda at the rate of 250 to 380 kg. per hectare. The best form in which the nitrate of 

 soda is used is a crystalline form. This fertilizer and the irrigation have the effect 

 of stimulating the growth of the grasses and the nitrate of soda, which is present in 

 the crystalline form, is sufficiently injurious to the dodder to destroy it. In meadows 



