40 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD. [Vol.41 



grade, dockage, moisture, etc., during tlie year ended July 1, 1918, while 12,604 

 samples of various kinds of seeds were tested for germination and purity. 



Test your clover and timothy seed, C. M. King and L. H. Pammel {Iowa 

 Sta. Circ. 59 {1919), pp. 2).— Legal standards of purity and germination for 

 alfalfa, alsike and red clover, and timothy seed in Iowa are presented and the 

 value' of good seed emphasized. Germination tests of timothy and alsike clover 

 seed alone and in alsike and timothy mixtures are held to indicate that inferior 

 seed is often employed in such mixtures. 



Results of seed tests for 1918, F. W. Taylor {New Hampshire Sta. Bui. 188 

 {191S), pp. 15). — This bulletin contains a report on the purity and germination 

 of 280 official samples of agricultural seed collected during the year ended 

 July 1, 1918. It is stated that of the samples guarantied for purity 95 per 

 cent were up to or above the guaranty while only 63 per cent of those guaran- 

 tied for germination equaled or surpassed the guaranty. Alfalfa, alsike 

 clover, corn, peas, oats, red clover, timothy, and wheat were found to be on 

 the average above the standard for purity, while Barley, buckwheat, millet, 

 red top, and white clover were below the standard. With regard to germina- 

 tion, all seeds were up to standard except corn, millet, peas, and red and white 

 clover. 



The amended text of the Now Hampshire seed law is included. 



The composition of some lawn-grass mixtures, J. P. Helyar {Nciv Jersey 

 Stas. Rpt. 1917, pp. 208, 209). ^X tabulated statement is presented showing the 

 composition of 40 different mixtures of grasses and clovers recommended for 

 seeding lawns and examined in connection with the regular seed inspection 

 (E. S. R., 39, p. 842). It is stated that Uttle uniformity exists, either in 

 the kind or the proportions of seed employed in such mixtures by various 

 dealers and that the mixtures sometimes consist of medium or low grade lots 

 of seed. 



Johnson grass as a weed in southwestern Iowa, L. H. Pammel and C M. 

 King {lona Sta. Circ. 55 {1919), pp. 4, figs. S). — The appearance of the weed in 

 the southwestern part of the State is noted, brief descriptions of the plant and 

 seed presented, and its distribution and methods of eradication indicated. 

 Converting infested fields into close-cropped meadows or pastures for one 

 year, followed by shallow cultivation during midsummer and clean culture 

 until frost, is deemed to be the best means of exterminating the pest. 



HORTICULTURE. 



[Horticultural investigations in Alaska], C. C. Georgeson, G. W. Gasser, 

 and M. D. Snodgrass {Alaska Stas. Rpt. 1917, pp. 8-21, 27, 28, 5J,, 55-57, 70, 71, 

 86-90, pis. 2). — A progress report on varietal and cultural experiments with 

 fruits, vegetables, and ornamentals at the Sitka Station and at the branch 

 stations, together with the usual extracts from letters of settlors and others 

 regarding results obtained from the seed and plant distribution and other 

 plantings. 



Orchard fruits have thus far failed to make much headway. So far no 

 variety of apples has been discovered that can be said to be at home in the 

 climate. A number of apples of several varieties matured at Sitka in 1915, 

 a favorable season, the Yellow Transparent and the Livland Rasberry being 

 the leaders. Several small trees have been grown from scions received from 

 Finland, which it is hoped will do well in southeastern Alaska. 



Notes are given on recently tested ornamentals, shrubs, and perennials, in- 

 cluding a select(Hl list of perennials which have proved hardy and dependable 

 for the coast region. 



