732 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



weed {Sphwralcea angtistifoUa), Sida herlerocea, Gaura parviflora. blue 

 weed {lleUanthus ei'/mm), siiiitiower (//. annnus), cocklebur {Xanthimn 

 canatlense), spiny aster {Aster sjnnosus), Franseria hookeriana, Aster 

 canescens, moruiiig glory {Ipomaa mexicana and I. jiurpiirea), horse net- 

 tle {Solamim elwcKjni folium)^ common pigweed or rougli amaranth [Ama- 

 rantus retrojlexiis), rough amaranth {A. chlorostachys), low amaranth 

 {A. hlitoides), lamb's quarter or goosefoot {Chenopodium alburn)^ sand 

 bur or bar grass {Cenchrm tribuloides), Chloris alba, and loco weed 

 {Astragalus mollissimus). 



Western plantain, F. L. Harvey {Maine Sta. lipt. 1S93, pp. 157, 158, fig. l).—k 

 (lescrii>tioii and illustrations of Phuitaqo patafjonica nristata are cjiveu, Avitli a report 

 of its ai)pearance in an oat iield during the year. The author calls attention to this 

 weed being an annual, and suggests its easy eradication Ly preventing its setting 

 seed. 



The Russian thistle, L. H. Dewey (U. S. Dept. Agr., Division of Boimvj Circuhn- 

 S, pp. S, figs S). — I'opular information is given on the nature, distribution, and reme- 

 dies for this weed. It is now known to he present in 18 States, and also in 3 of the 

 Canadian provinces. 



The sachalin knot -weed, L. II. Pammel {Garden and Forest, S {1895), p. 67). — 

 Tiie author refers to 12 years' exiierience with this plant, and says it spreads very 

 rapidly by means of its rhizomes, aud land set in it may have to be given up to it as 

 in the case of the Johnson grass in the South. 



DISEASES OF PLANTS. 



Some grape troubles of western New York, E. G. Lodeman 

 {New Yorlc Cornell Sta. Bui. 76, pp. 41.3-454, figs. 6). 



Synopsis. — The author describes and oiiTers suggestions for the repression of shell- 

 ing or rattling (a disease of rather uncertain origin), powdery mildew, anthrac- 

 nose, black rot, brown rot or gray rot, and ripe rot. Brief notes on sjiraying 

 apparatus and formulas for 3 of the best fungicides are given. 



Shelling or rattling (i)p. 413-440). — This disease, which although not 

 new was more or less troublesome throughout the grape-growing i)or- 

 tions of the State, is characterized by the author as follows: 



"The shelling of grapes takes place in the following manner. As the season of 

 ripening approaches, certain berries of the affected clusters fall to the ground on 

 account of the inability of the main fibers and other connecting tissue of the fruit- 

 .stems to sustain their weight. . . . The end of the stem is even, aa if cut with a 

 knife. 



"The portions of the cluster first affected are, so far as my observations go, inva- 

 riably either the lower extremity of the cluster as it hangs from the cane, or in the 

 case of heavily shouldered clusters, the outer extremity of the stem forming the 

 shoulder. The shelling may begin at both points at about the same time, but it 

 generally makes its appearance first at the lower end of the bunch. Sometimes only 

 one or two berries may fall, but in other cases the drying and shriveling of the stem 

 gradually extends upward, the aftected portion being plainly marked by the absence 

 of the berries. It often occurs that not a berry remains banging upon the bunch. 

 In such cases the ground below the bearing portions of the vine is literally covered 

 with the fallen fruit. ... 



