442 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. ' [Vol. 41 



are emasculated and not pollinated the glumes, apparently some time after the 

 regular time of blooming, open and remain open for several days. The style 

 also grows to an abnormal length. Opportunity is thus presented for the en- 

 trance of pollen. When fertilization has taken place the glumes remain 

 closed. ... In view of the results obtained in these experiments, there seems 

 no doubt that in studies of inheritance in wheat hybrids and in breeding opera- 

 tions where hybrids of linown parentage are desired it is necessary to protect 

 emasculated flowers from uudesired pollination." 



Dry farming for better wheat yields. — The Columbia and Snake Eiver 

 Basins, B. Hunter (U. S. Dept. Arjr., Farmers' Bvl. 1047 {1919), pp. 24, figs. 

 18). — This publication comprises a general discussion of improved dry-farming 

 methods found to give the best results on grain farms, with special reference to 

 winter and spring wheat production in the Columbia and Snalce River Basins, 

 which have an annual rainfall of less than from 18 to 20 in. The recommen- 

 dations are also deemed applicable to all farms in the region where summer 

 fallowing is practiced. 



It is stated that the early plowing and thorough cultivation of the summer 

 fallow is imperative for the best results. The use of the summer fallow on 

 " blow " and " nonblow " soils is described, and methods for preventing and 

 stopping the blowing of soils are outlined. 



Seed Beporter (U. S. Dept. Agr., Seed Rptr., 2 (1919), No. 11, pp. 8, figs. 5; 

 3 {1919), No. 1, pp. 8). — Both these numbers contain the usual statistics relative 

 to forage-plant seeds permitted entry into the United States. 



The first number also comprises a discussion of European seed conditions 

 based on information furnished by A. J. Pieters, of the Bureau of Plant In- 

 dustry, and Director Sorensen, of the Danish Seed Growers' Association ; mar- 

 ket notes for different sections of the country ; reports on the sugar-beet seed, 

 Bermuda-onion seed, and crimson-clover seed outlook ; vegetable-seed crop con- 

 ditions in California and the North Pacific division ; data relative to commei*- 

 cial vegetable seed acreage and production, and wholesale and retail field seed 

 selling prices as of April 30, 1919 ; and information on the total quantity of 

 different varieties of velvet beans normally handled by wholesale and retail 

 seedsmen in various southern States, together with the total quantity of the 

 different sorts normally shipped out from producing sections by local shippers. 

 Tentative seed production and consumption maps are presented, showing the 

 counties normally producing a surplus, a sufficient, and an insufficient quantity 

 of both crimson and white clover seed. Diagi*ams are also given showing the 

 daily closing cash prices of " prime " seed of red and alsike clover and timothy 

 on the Toledo market from September to April, inclusive, for the seasons of 

 1916-17, 1917-18, and 1918-19, respectively. 



The second number contains articles on Some Factors That May Affect the 

 Red Clover Seed Crop, by A. J. Pieters; Critical Studies in Seed Production, 

 by R. A. Oakley; and Some Aspects of Seed Control, by W. A. AVheeler. In- 

 formation is also presented relative to the outlook for seed of hairy vetch, 

 orchard grass, redtop, meadow fescue, crimson clover, and Kentucky blue grass, 

 together with notes on vegetable seed crop conditions, the production of onion 

 sets near Chicago, and sources of field seeds for planting in the different 

 States. 



Seed-testing [in New Zealand], E. B. Levy {Jour. Agr. [New Zeal], 18 

 {1919), No. 3, pp. 129-139, figs. 9). — The methods employed in conducting and 

 reporting germination and purity tests at the seed-testing station of the New 

 Zealand Department of Agriculture are described. 



Plants detrimental to agriculture: Botanical characteristics and methods 

 of control, G, Fron {Plantes Nuisibles a r Agriculture: Caracteres Botaniques et 



