1019] HORTICULTURE. 339 



speetors during the year ended July 15, 1917, in addition to 329 samples of 

 agricultural seed received from private Individuals. 



The quality of agricultural seeds (Jour. /;</. Apr. [London}, ."i [1918), No. 

 11, pp. 1202-1213; aba. in Nature [London], 101 (1918), No. i6B5, p. 51).— This 

 comprises a preliminary report and brief discussion of the viability and purity 

 of agricultural seed, based upon testa of over 2,400 samples, including cereals, 

 clovers and other legumes, root and forage crops, vegetables, and grasses, re- 

 ceived by the official seed testing station from all parts of England and Wales. 



Weed seeds in the soil, F. J. Pipal (Proc. Ind. Arnd. Sd., 1916. pp. S68- 

 377). — Investigations, previously noted (E. S. R., 34, p 736), are described 

 in which an effort was made to ascertain the number of viable weed seeds in 

 different samples of soil, to compare carefully cultivated soils with those receiv- 

 ing poor cultivation with respect to weed growth, to determine at what depth 

 most of the weed seeds occur, and to identify the most prevalent species. Tabu- 

 lar data are given showing the number and kinds of weed seeds found in the 

 upper and lower 3 in. layers of 1 sq. ft. of soil from a rye field, abandoned 

 orchard, cultivated experimental plat, garden, and sod. Similar data arc also 

 presented for 1 in. layers of 1 cu. ft. of soil from the rye field. The number of 

 \\eed seeds per acre on various kinds of soil, including garden, overflow land, 

 muck, plowed sod, cultivated fields, etc., has been calculated, based on reports 

 of investigators mentioned in tlds paper. 



Canada thistle and methods of eradication, A. A. Hanson (U. S. Dept. Agr., 

 Farmers' Bui. 1002 (1918), pp. 15, figs. J t ). — The weed and its manner of 

 growth are illustrated and described, its distribution in the United States indi- 

 cated, and tested methods of eradication outlined. Summer fallow and clean 

 cultivation with implements that cut the plants beneath the surface of the 

 ground are said to effect the extermination of the pest over large areas, while 

 small patches can be smothered out by covering with boards, roofing paper, or 

 similar material. 



Minnesota weeds, III, W. L. Oswald and A. Boss (Minnesota Sta. Bui. 116 

 (1918), pp. 5-1(8, figs. 25). — This bulletin contains brief descriptions and notes 

 on the eradication of 24 different kinds of weeds in continuation of work pre- 

 \ieiisly noted (E. S. R., 31, p. 633). 



HORTICULTURE. 



[Report of horticultural investigations in Guam], O. Bbiogs (Huarn Fta. 

 Ki>t. 1911, pp. £9-44, P l - !)• — Notes are given on the acquisition and distribu- 

 tion of seeds and plants during the year, together with data on fertilizer te<i< 

 of vegetables, longevity tests of vegetable seeds, and notes on fruits and other 

 economic plants being tested by the station. These Include the papaya, banana, 

 mango, avocado, orange, lemon, coconut, cacao, coffee, various starch-yielding 

 plants, the bay, camphor, and robber trees, and a number of palms. 



In the longevity test of vegetable seeds (E. S. U., 37, p. 742 ) } the various 

 seeds were stored both in ground -^lass top exhibition jars and cloth sacks, 

 placed in insect-proof wooden cabinet drawers. Duplicate sets of seeds were 

 used in the germination tests, which were made about every l. r > days. The first 

 series of tests was begun August 1, 1915, and was completed March 1.", 1917; 

 the second series was begun September 1, 1916, and was completed the follow- 

 ing June. 



The results as a whole indicate that seels rapidly lose their viability in Guam. 

 Glass jars are preferable to sacks for storing seed. Neither method, however, 



111401°— 19 4 



