1056 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



of copper sulphate. Fields^ of oats, wheat, and V)arley, which were infested with this 

 weed, were sprayed during' the early summer and the results of the apjilications are 

 given. The strength of solution used was 10 ll)s. of copper sulphate to 40 or 45 gal. 

 of water, this amount of the herbicide being applied to each ai-re. After having 

 sprayed over the fields, the owners were requested to give their opinion As to the 

 results, and the letters received are given in the report. In all cases where the 

 application was made while the mustard was young the weed was completely 

 destroyed; where it had sent up flower stalks and was in a hardened condition less 

 successful results were obtained. In some instances it was thought that the second 

 spraying could have been applied with good results. The author believes that at an 

 expense of about 80 cts. ])er acre it is practical)le to eradicate this weed from cereal 

 fields, and if [persisted in for anum})er(>f years no further trouble need be apprehended. 



Report on the spraying of charlock and wild radish, J. R. Campbfjll ( YorJc- 

 shire Col., Leeds, and East and West Ridings Joint Agr. Covuvil, GarfortJi Expts., 1899, 

 Pamphlet 4, pp. 12, figs. .?). — A report is given of a number of experiments conducted 

 with different strengths of iron sulphate and copper sulphate solutions for the 

 destruction of charlock and wild radish. The efficiency of different machines for 

 application is shown, and the influence of weather is indicated. The applications 

 were made in fields of oats, barley, and spring wheat, some of which hail been 

 seeded to clover and grasses. No permanent injury was noted to any of the crops, 

 and when applied early enough the charlock was destroyed where tlie solution used 

 contained not less than 2 percent copper sulphate or 10 per cent iron sulphate. The 

 effect of these sprays on other plants was tested, and it was found that when sprayed 

 with a 12 per cent solution of iron sulphate, peas and l)eans were somewhat dam- 

 aged; carrots, parsnips, onions, and leek but slightly injured; lettuce, radish, and 

 cress suffered considerably; mustard was completely killed; beets slightly damaged; 

 while grass, cereals, and clover were practically uninjured. The action of the sprays 

 on charlock is commented upon and the hypothesis advanced that the result is due 

 to the presence in the cruciferous plants of substances which react chemically with 

 the iron or copper salts to the injury of the plants. Summarizing his experiments, 

 which included the spraying of 144 acres of infested grain crops, the author claims 

 that the operation was completely successful only when plants were taken in their 

 youngest stages. Bright, dry, calm weather is a necessary factor to success, and 

 solutions should be applied at tlie rate of not less than 40 gal. i)er acre. 



One hundred Yorkshire weeds, \V. G. Smith ( Yorkshire Col., Leeds, and East 

 and West Ridings Joint Agr. Council, Garforth E.rj)ts., 1899, I'amphlet 1'2, pp. 9). — A 

 list is given of 100 weeds which are considered more or less troublesome. The common 

 and botanical names are given and the duration of the plants and soils frequented 

 are indicated. 



DISEASES OF PLANTS. 



Notes on some plant diseases, H. H. Hume {Florida Sta. Rpt. 1901, pp. 86-96, 

 figs. 3). — Descriptive notes are given of some diseases of cantaloupe, the lettuce drop, 

 and strawl)erry leaf spot. The cantaloupe diseases described are the Macrosporimn 

 blight, caused by Macrosporimn caciunerium, and a Sclerotium disease. The Macro- 

 sporium attacks both the leaves and the vines, producing on the leaves yellowish 

 spots which increase in size until the larger ones may attain a diameter of half an 

 inch. The spots are well defined and after some time become more or less confluent, 

 forming large, irregular, brownish areas on the leaves. The fruiting period of vines 

 affected by this disease i^ materially shortened and the quality and flavor of fruit 

 produced is decidedly inferior. Spraying with Bordeaux mixture, it is believed, will 

 be efficient in protecting tlie plants from this disease, ami experiments are to be car- 

 ried out during the coming season. 



