552 



EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



rantus albus and Cycloloma atriplicifoUa. The anatomy of root, stem, 

 leaf, and seed is given in considerable detail. 



The author made some experiments on the vitality of the seed. The 

 seed was subjected to vaiious temperatures for different lengths of 

 time, and it was found that it could stand considerable dry heat, a 

 temperature of between 71 and 78° 0. destroying its vitality. 



It has been recommended that infested stubble and fields be burned 

 over to destroy the weed, and some preliminary experiments were made 

 along this line in the laboratory. The dried calyx and attached parts 

 burned slowly, but a small amount of fire caused them to crack and 

 throw the embryo out. Out of 6S cases, all seed so treated failed to 

 germinate. 



A short bibliography is given of papers on the Russian thistle. 



Report of the chemist (pp. 2G-29). — Analyses were made of plants in 

 3 stages of growth, the dry matter of which is summarized in the fol- 

 lowing table: 



Composition of dry matier of Russian thistle cut at 3 different dates. 



Crude ash 



Ktlierextiiict (crude fat) 



Xitrogen-lree extract (soluble carbohjdrates) 



Crude fiber 



Crude protein (total nitrogen x 0.25) 



True albuminoids (albuminoid N x 6.25) 



Cut 

 June 12. 



Per cent. 

 22.01 

 2.20 

 3<l. 39 

 17.94 

 18.46 

 [14.35] 



100. 00 



Cut 

 June 26. 



Per cent. 

 18.79 

 1.84 

 38.46 

 23.19 

 17.72 

 [12. 90] 



Cut 

 July 12. 



Per cent. 

 14. 30 



1.14 

 44. 03 

 30.82 



9.11 

 [6. 85] 



100. 00 



100. 00 



The Russian thistle compares in some respects very favorably with 

 red clover, alsike clover, pea fodder, and prickly comfrey; but it must 

 be remembered that chemical analysis alone is not to be relied upon in 

 judging of the real value of a fodder. 



The Russian thistle in its native home (pp. 30-33). — The author reports 

 having observed the Russian thistle in various provinces of southern 

 and southeastern Russia, and says that it is not there regarded as a 

 particularly noxious weed. The farmers there sow their cereals quite 

 early and thickly, and the thick shading of the plants prevents pro- 

 gress of weed development until harvest. Immediately after harvest 

 the stubble is turned under and the weeds destroyed in this manner. 



The only spots where the plant has made considerable headway are 

 in the "cattle wallows," much like the "bufialo wallows" of the North- 

 west. In these spots the largest and best i)lants were found. As com- 

 pared with some other weeds, as quack grass {Triticum repiens), true 

 thistles, mulleins, etc., this is not considered a very troublesome weed. 



The author is inclined to believe that with care the Russian thistle 

 can be eradicated, or at least held in subjection, easier than the Canada 

 thistle or the oxeye daisy. 



