554 



EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



conditions, sliowing that tlie plant is able to adapt itself to the alka- 

 line conditions of the soil. The ash analysis is as follows: 



Composition of the asJi. 



Total insohilile . 



Potash 



Soda 



Lime 



^agnosia 



Iron oxitl 



Pbosi)Iiates 



Snipliates 



Carbonates 



Chlorids 



Small 

 and ten- 

 der. 



Per cent. 



1.93 

 20. 82 



!). l(i 

 26. 137 



9. 6IJ 

 .SG 



3.49 



1 52 

 19.28 



Thorns 

 well out. 



Per cent. 

 2.43 



31.21 

 4. 25 



24.55 

 7.6(i 

 1.01 

 4.00 

 1.26 



20.25 



Kipe. 



Percent. 



3.95 

 27. 30 

 12. 4« 

 22. 39 



5.50 

 .85 



3.11 



4.39 

 17.34 



1.56 



98.97 



From the time the thorns are out until the plant matures it takes up 

 a large amount of sodium from the soil and only small amounts of other 

 materials, hence it makes its heaviest draft upon the soil while in an ' 

 immature state, after which it takes but little essential plant food. To 

 prevent this heavy draft upon the soil the plants should be destroyed 

 while young. An ordinary thistle 2 lbs. in weight, covering a square 

 yard, will take more potash and lime from the soil than 2 good crops of 

 wheat from the same area. 



Nut grass (Cyperus rotundus) ( U. 8. Dept. Af/r., Bivision of Bot- 

 any Circular 2, pp. i, Jig. 1). — A description of this weed, a comparison 

 of the growth of nut grass, or coco, and chufa, and methods of destroy- 

 ing coco are given. The methods of exterminating this weed recom- 

 mended are to plow or hoe the infested field at frequent intervals dur- 

 ing the summer so as to j)revent the development of any plants or to 

 plant a vigorous shade crop, using crimson clover, winter vetch, or rye 

 to occupy the land during the winter and growing a hoed crop during 

 the summer. 



Dodder, C. V. Piper ( Washington 8ta. But. S, pp. 143-144, figs. 2). — 

 Popular illustrated notes are given on dodder {CuscAita arvensis), with 

 a rept)rt on suggested methods for eradication. A solution of sulphate 

 of iron had been recommended to be sprinkled over the alfalfa plants 

 infested by the dodder, but with no success, although it was lised as 

 strong as 1 lb. to a gallon of water. A solution of calcium sulphite 

 in water is said to be used in Europe to kill the dodder with perfect 

 success. 



DISEASES OF PLANTS. 



Leaf curl and plum pockets, G. P. Atkinson [Weic Yorlc Cornell 

 Sta. Bui. 73, pp. 319-355, 2>?*'- 20). — The author has made a study of the 

 distortions of the leaves of the genus Primus caused by fungi belong- 

 ing to the family Exoascem. The species of this family have been 



