658 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



ent varieties. Elm, poplar, birch, and elder should not be covered more than 5 in.; 

 maple, ash, box elder, and basswood, from | to 1 in.; oak, chestnut, walnut, butter- 

 nut, and hickory, from Ij to 2 in. in depth. As a rule, seeds which ripen in the 

 fall should be planted at once, except those which can be kept over without danger 

 of spoiling. Those of a dry nature may be kept mitil spring if stratified in sand or 

 leaves. They have also been preserved by being mixed with leaves and hung in 

 sacks in a cool, dry place. If kept in this manner they must be thoroughly soaked 

 before planting or many of them will not sprout. Locust seeds should be scalded 

 before planting, and only the swollen ones planted. The seeds of thorn apple or 

 wild thorn, mountain ash, red cedar, juniper, and others as a rule do not germinate 

 until the second season. These may be kept either in a stratified condition or 

 planted and the rows mulched. Seeds which have a fleshy covering, such as cher- 

 ries and plums, should be separated from their pulp and stratified in moist sand 

 until planted. 



On the germination of half-ripe dodder seed, W. Kinzel {Landw. Vers. Stat., 

 55 {1901), No. 4-5, pp. 255-256; abs. in Ann. Agron., 27 {1901), No. 8, p. 390).— 

 A study was made of the germination of immature seed of Cuscuta lupuliformis. 

 Capsules containing green seeds were collected, some of which were preserved as 

 collected, while others had the seed removed. In testing the germination of the 

 green seed, it was found that 56 per cent of those which had been removed from the 

 capsules germinated, while 73 per cent of those preserved within the seed balls 

 germinated. Those preserved in the capsules, while germinating more slowly at the 

 beginning, finally gave 92.5 per cent germination. Seeds allowed to ripen normally 

 which were germinated for comparison gave but 5 per cent germination at the end 

 of 26 days. 



The sprouting of cocklebur seeds, E. E. Masterman {Ohio Nut., 1 {1901), No. 

 5, pp. 69, 70). 



Weeds of Montana, J. W. Blankinship {Montana Sta. Bui. 30, pp. 70, figs. 21). — 

 A general study is given of the weed flora of the State and the characteristics of 

 the different weeds are de.scribed. The means of distribution and origin of the weed 

 flora are shown. The classification of the weeds into annuals, biennials, and \^ev- 

 ennials is made and brief notes given regarding their root systems. The different 

 weeds are classified according to their situations, and methods for eradication are 

 discussed at some length. The weed law of the State is quoted, in which it appears 

 that Canada, Scotch, and Russian thistles are proscribed. An annotated list of the 

 weeds growing in Montana is given, the species being arranged in alphabetical 

 order. Those which are especially troublesome are indicated l>y having their scientific 

 names printed in black-face type. In all 138 species are enumerated. 



An experiment on the eradication of weeds in meadows, R. AuERnoLD 

 {Centbl. Bait. u. Par., 2. Abt., 7 {1901), No. 17-18, p. 662).— A brief report is given 

 of experiments conducted with a 15 per cent solution of iron sulphate sprayed upon 

 meadows to destroy weeds. The first application was made on May 11, followed by 

 a second one June 13. The herbicide had but little effect upon such species as Bellis, 

 Leontodon taraxacum, Veronica, thistles, or dead nettle. There was some injury done 

 to species of Symphytum and yEgopodium. The second application was made with- 

 out any injury to the grass, which consisted of a mixture of Lolium and Cynosurus, 

 but the flowering stalks of Leontodon and Bellis and some others were destroyed, 

 thereby preventing the spread of their seeds. 



Experiments in the destruction of wild mustard and wild radishes, E. Marre 

 {Semaine Agr., 21 {1901), No. 1069, pp. 358,359). — In order to popularize the method 

 of weed destruction by means of chemicals, the author arranged, during the summer 

 of 1901, with a number of cultivators in different parts of the department of Aveyron 

 to spray crops with a 5 per cent solution of copper sulphate and a 10 per cent solu- 

 tion of iron sulphate. The results of the experiments are briefly reported. Fields 



