358 EXPEKIMENT STATION RECORD. 



7 days to complete its germination, when 77 per cent had sprouted. From results 

 with oats it is concluded that old oats carried over one season in good condition are 

 comparatively safe for seed. Eight-year-old oats taken from the sheaf at the time 

 of testing gave a germination of 87 per cent. Other germination tests with 1 -year-old 

 barley, spelt, and flax are reported. 



Studies upon weeds in 1900, H. L. Bollev {North Dakota Sta. Bpt. 1900, pp. 

 48-56). — In 1899 favorable results were reported (E. S. R., 12, p. 248) on the use of 

 commercial copper sulphate at the rate of 1 lb. to 4 gal. of water, when sprayed upon 

 weeds. The season when this investigation was conducted was one in which the 

 plants were making rapid growth, and mustard, tall ragweed, and others were 

 quickly destroyed. In 1900 au'effort was made to repeat on an extensive scale the 

 investigations of the previous year. In general the results obtained were discourag- 

 ing, although it was shown that further investigation would be needed before definite 

 statements could be made regarding the destruction of weeds by herbicides. During 

 the dry windy weather all the plants became very resistant, and only when thor- 

 oughly wet while quite young did the treatment prove beneficial in destroying 

 the weeds. The recommendations of the author are that if both grain and weeds are 

 rapidly growing they can be successfully destroyed by the use of sodium arsenite or 

 copper sulphate, the latter being most reliable. In selecting nozzles for this use, 

 those should be employed which throw fine drops of the herbicide rather than misty 

 sprays. The author recommends sj^raying just after a rain, and unless the plants 

 are in a succulent rapidly-growing condition no treatment is advised. 



Further observations are reported on the life of weed seeds in the soils of the 

 vicinity of the station, the investigation being continued from the rej^ort of the pre- 

 vious year (E. S. R., 12, p. 248). The experiments on the depth of planting show 

 that shepherd's purse does not send up plants from a depth of more than 1 in., French 

 weed from more than 2 in.; mustard and pigeon grass send up most of their 

 plants where the seed has been covered to a depth of 1 in., and tall ragweed did best 

 from a depth of 2 in., although some late plants appeared when the seed was covered 

 4 in. deep. When covered to a depth of 4 in. all the weed seeds experimented 

 with, except wild oats and tall ragweed, were killed. 



Work is being continued on the extension of the herbarium, and a preliminary 

 list of the seed plants of the State has Ijeen issued as Bulletin 46 (E. S. R., 13, p. 21). 

 Observations upon the growth of red clover seed are briefly reported, from which 

 the author believes that the presence of bumblebees or other large insects to carry 

 the pollen is not essential, but that the plant is practically fertilized by pollen car- 

 ried by the wind. 



Weed notes, W. Lochhead {Ontario Agr. Col. and Expt. Farm Rpt. 1900, pp. 17, 

 18, fig. 1). — Brief descriptions are given of a tumbleweed {Amarantus alhus) and 

 pigeon weed {Lithospermum arvense), and suggestions given for the possible eradica- 

 tion of these pests. 



Romulea rosea, R. Helms {Agr. Gaz. Keiv Souili Wales, 12 {1901), No. 2, pp>. 232- 

 836, pi. 1). — A description is given of this liliaceous plant, which threatens to become 

 an exceedingl}' troublesome weed in New South Wales and other parts of Australia. 

 The plant is a very aggressive one, spreading rapidly by the multiplication of its 

 bulbs as well as the abundant development of seed. It soon forms solid masses, 

 crowding out other species. It appears to be entirely shunned by domestic animals, 

 whether from toughness of foliage or unpalatability is not stated. Various means of 

 suppression are suggested, which contemplate the cutting of the plants to prevent 

 seed formation, rooting them up and burning, or cultivation of hoed crops. 



Russian thistle in Massachusetts, G. E. Stoxe and R. E. Smith {Massachusetts 

 Sta. apt. 1900, p. 73). — The authors briefly report the occurrence of the Russian 

 thistle in the State. This weed was first reported August 22, 1897, since which time 

 the plants have shown a slight tendency to spread. 



