832 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.40 



Report on the State seed control. K. Dorph-Petersen (Tidsskr. Planteavl. 25 

 (1918), Xo. .'/. pp. 569-628). — A general discussion of the activities for the year 

 ended June 30, 1918, representing the forty-seventh year of the work, is 

 presented, and statistics regarding the number of seed analyses and their 

 results for the year in question as well as for the period from 190S are given. 



In the year 1917-18, 19,242 seed samples were examined, as compared with 

 4,197 for the year 1906-7. The average results of all tests for each species 

 from 1908 to 1918 and also for the year 1917-18 are set forth in tables, with 

 the data relating to number of samples, 1,000 kernel weight, foreign seeds, 

 weed seeds, inert matter, clean seed, time required for germination, and 

 vitality of seed. 



Report on the activities of the Swedish Seed Association in Noorland in 

 1917, A. DtAKDER (Sveriges Vtsadesfor. Tidskr., 28 (1918), No. 5, pp. 225-2',0).— 

 Results are briefly reported of crop tests in different parts of Norrland with 

 timothy, meadow fescue, meadow foxtail, red clover, grass and clover mixtures, 

 barley, oats, peas, rye, and root crops. 



Investigations of weed growth as related to mineral soils in Denmark, 

 C. Feriunam>si:n (Tidtakr. Planteavl. 25 (1918). No». ',. pp. 629-758; 5, pp. 

 763-926). — This article presents an historical review of the more important 

 methods of classifying species according to environment and locality, disci 

 the relation of the chemical and microbiological soil reactions to the distribution 

 of species, and notes the changes occurring in plant groups or populations. The 

 plant survey methods used by different investigators are described, and the 

 determination of the number of Individuals or sprouts in relation to weight, 

 area and volume, and of the distribution to frequency and area values are 

 discussed. The author classifies the more Important Bp cording to their 



frequency as abundant, suhabundant, frequent, and BUbfrequent, and explains 

 by means of formulas and otherwise how he arrives at these different degrees 

 of frequency. 



In studying the plant populations of different localities the soil reactions 

 were determined, and the results are tabulated showing the number of times 

 the species were found on acid or lime poor and on alkaline soils. Lists are 

 submitted of the species of weeds showing preference for acid, alkaline, or 

 neutral soils. Observations were made further regarding the age of plant 

 populations, the causes determining changes in the flora of a locality, and the 

 successions which occur. Studies were made also of a large number of plant 

 populations with reference to the species represented and their relative im- 

 portance, the kind of soil and its reaction, the effect of soil inoculation with 

 Azotobacter and the crop rotation followed. The results thus obtained are 

 given in a series of 63 tables. A bibliography of 90 references is appended. 



The protein content and microchemical tests of the seeds of some common 

 Iowa weeds, L. II. I'ammel and A. W. I>ox (Proc. Ioira Acad. Sci., 2k (1917). 

 pp. 527-5. >2). — Tabulated data are presented showing the weight of 50 s 

 the number of seeds per gram, and the protein content of 50 different kinds of 

 we.d seeds, together with the results of microchemical tests for starch, pro- 

 tein, and fat in 108 kinds. 



The weighl of r»0 seeds ranged from 0.0034 gm. for mullein {Verbasoum 

 thapsus) to 2.32(3 gm. for horse gentian {Triosteum perfoliatvm) . The pro- 

 tein content of the seeds examined varied from 8.24 per cent for sumach 

 (Rhus glabra) to 35.05 per cent for sweet clover (Melilottu alba). 



Useful farm weeds. W. E. Bhenchi.ey (Jour. B&, A or. [London], 25 {1918), 

 No. 8, pp. 949-958). — The uses of the common farm weeds other than bracken 



and heather for medicine, dyes, forage, human food, green manures, fiber, and 



