236 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOED. 



In a test with peas to determine the efficiency of sand and soil as germinat- 

 ing mediums, the percentage of germination in the sand ranged from 85 to 100 

 per cent, in the soil from 24 to 86 per cent, and in the field from 15 to 68 per 

 cent In testing the advisability of taking the weights of the seedlings at the 

 end of a definite period, in order to determine the relative vegetative energy, it 

 was found that samples of winter wheat showing 90, 71.25, 21, 36, 60, 48.25. and 

 46 per cent weighed, respectively, at the end of 10 days, 5.30, 3.79, 28, 1.65, 69. 

 2.27, and 57 gm. With spring wheat the variation between germinative ability 

 and weight of seedling was even greater. 



Report of the superintendent of the seed and weed branch, A. McKenney 

 {Ann. Rot. Dept. Agr. Alherta, 1911, pp. 133-140). — The methods described as 

 being the most successful in the eradication of stinkweed are summer fallow 

 and spring harrowing. For wild mustard, spraying with a 20 per cent solution 

 of iron sulphate or a 2 per cent solution of copper sulphate is recommended, and 

 for Canada thistle, continued cutting off at or below the surface of the ground. 



Tabulated data of results of inspection of cars of seed supplied the farmers by 

 the Dominion government are included. 



Agrostemma githago and Polygonum convolvulus, X. Skalosubow (Trudy 

 Biuro Prikl. Bot. {Bui. Angeio. Bot.), Jf {1911), No. 11, pp. 562-565) .—This arti- 

 cle discusses the prevalence of these weeds in western Siberia and the value of 

 the seeds and meal as feed for live stock. 



HOUTICUITURE. 



The propagation and pruning of hardy trees, shrubs, miscellaneous plants, 

 with chapters on manuring and planting, J. C. Newsham (London, 1913, pp. 

 XIV -{-224, Pls- 5'^)- — ^ practical treatise on plant propagation and pruning, 

 in which consideration is given to fruit trees, ornamental deciduous trees and 

 shrubs, and evergreen trees and shrubs, as well as to stove and greenhouse 

 foliage and flowering trees and shrubs. 



Practical tree repair, E. Peets (New York, 1913, pp. IV +265, pis. 16, figs. 

 g2). — ^A practical treatise on the physical repair of trees, such as bracing and 

 the treatment of wounds and cavities. Chapters on boring insects and their 

 control and rot fungi and their work are included. 



The use of arsenicals for plant protection, with special reference to lead 

 arsenate, L. Fulmek (Arch. Chem. n. Mikros., 6 (1913), No. 6, pp. 347-408).— A 

 review of our knowledge relative to the use of arsenicals in various countries 

 for the protection of plants. An extensive bibliography is appended. 



The effect of bastard trenching on the soil and on plant growth, S. U. 

 Pickering and E. J. Russell (Jour. Agr. Sci. [England], 5 (1913), No. 4, pp. 

 483-496). — The purpose of the experiments here reported was to determine the 

 value of subsoiling without the addition of farmyard manure or other fertiliz- 

 ing material. The bulk of the experiments extended over the four seasons from 

 March, 1909. to the end of 1912. Four distinct types of soil, including a light 

 sand, two rather heavy loams, and a strong clay, were investigated. Trenching 

 was effected by removing the first and second spades of soil. The third spade 

 was broken up but not removed, and then the second and first spades were re- 

 placed in their natural order. Nothing was buried in the trench. Samples of 

 soil were periodically taken for determinations of moisture and nitrates and 

 observations were made on the growth of fruit trees on the plats. 



Taking the evidence as a whole the effect of bastard trenching on the soil 

 when unaccompanied by manuring is very small. Beyond a tendency to facili- 

 tate the drainage of water in the clays and the heavy loams and slightly to in- 

 crease the nitrates no definite change seemed to be produced. As exemplified 



