756 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



are shown in tabular form, from which it appears that a decided improvement is noted 

 in the quality of seed over that formerly reported. The samples obtained were 

 secured by private individuals, so that the seed merchants could not have information 

 as to the use to which they were to be put. The results, as shown by the test, seem 

 to warrant the belief that the publication of seed tests has demonstrated its value as 

 a means for securing a better quality of seeds in the open market. 



Report of seed testing at Modena in 1900, F. Todaro (Staz. Sper. Agr. ItaL, 

 34 {1901), No. 11, pp. 881-889).— ^\\Q report shows that 1,226 tests of seeds of all 

 kinds were made during the year, the principal varieties being alfalfa 421, red clover 

 360, and white clover 304. The maximum, minimum, and average percentages of 

 purity, germinability, and intrinsic value of the different kinds of seed are shown in 

 tabular form. In most cases an increase is shown in the percentages over the 

 averages for 10 years with the same kinds of seed. 



Tables of standards for agricultural seeds, and average data for seed 

 examinations at Swedish, seed control stations, 1895-1899, A. Lyttkens 

 {Meddd. K. Lnndtbr. Styr., 1901, No. 75, pp. 52). 



The origin, present condition, and future of the Sw^edish seed control, 

 B. Joxssox (A'. Landi. Ahtd. Handl. Thhkr., 40 (1901), No..3,j>p. ..'04-215). 



Report of Danish seed control, 1898-99, (). Rostkup [Copenhagen, 1900, pp. 

 57). 



Experiments with w^eeds, B. D. Halsted {New Jersey Slas. Rpt. 1900, pj). 458- 

 460). — In continuation of the weed experiments hitherto reported (E. S. R., 12, p. 

 350) a list is given of the weeds occurring for the fourth season upon the weed plat. 

 A number of species which were reported as quite aggressive in the earlier years 

 have disappeared, and the list for 1900 shows the most aggressive weeds to be rag- 

 weed, smartweed, sorrel, wild carrot, dandelion, velvet leaf, night flowering catch 

 fly, sheep sorrel, oxeye daisy, narrow-leaved plantain, etc., their aggressiveness 

 being in the order of enumeration. 



On the eradication of charlock by means of iron sulphate solutions, A. B. 

 Vestergaard {Ugeskr. Landm.., 47 {1901), No. 47, pp. 451-454)- 



DISEASES OF PLANTS. 



Report of the botanist, B. D. Halsted {New Jersey Stas. Rpt. 1000, pp. 407-476, 

 pis. 5). — The principal lines of investigation conducted by the liDtanical department 

 for the year covered by this report were experiments with various truck crops and 

 salad plants, studies of pear blight, asparagus rust, chrysanthemum rust, crossing of 

 tomatoes, beans, salsify, and corn, and a continuation of weed studies. 



Experiments with turnips have been continued, and the former opinion that air- 

 slaked lime is a remedy for club root was again confirmed. The fungus causing the 

 club root of turnips was reported as having been observed on specimens of rape. 

 The effect of mulching potatoes was investigated, a small gain being given for the 

 mulched ground. The investigations of potato scab were continued and it was found 

 tha*; the variety Green Mountain was most susceptible to the disease, while State of 

 Maine, White Star, and Queen were less so. Winter rye as a cover for the ground 

 was without influence on the production of scab. 



Experiments with beets showed that sulphur was efficient in reducing the scab on 

 those roots. In the bean experiments only the bacterial blight was observed, and 

 the foliage of both varieties which were experimented with was equally infested but 

 neither severely injured. Spraying with Bordeaux mixture was apparently without 

 marked results in the prevention of this disease. Negative results were obtained in 

 the experiments where Lima beans were given 6 applications of Bordeaux mixture, 

 the plants in no case showing any disease. The yield for the sprayed plants was 



