286 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



same kiud of seed from the same firm was in several cases more than 90 per 

 eeiit. By 21 of the 27 seedsmen represented 200 lots of seed were put np wliieb 

 germinated 10 per cent or less, and by 13 packeting houses G2 lots were put up 

 which entirely failed to germinate. The average germination of the " commis- 

 sion " seeds tested was 25.1 per cent lower than that of the seeds sent out in 

 the Congressional distribution during the past G years. 



The effect of animal digestion and fermentation of manures on the vitality 

 of seeds, K. I. Oswald {Munjhind Sta. Bid. 128, pp. 265-291, figs. 3).— The seeds 

 of 52 species of weeds were placed in piles of horse manure, cow manure, and 

 of horse and cow manure mixed in equal quantities and allowed to remain for 

 6 mouths. During the first 60 days the lowest temperature recorded in the 

 piles was 40° F., and the highest 201°, 168°, and 188°, and the average temper- 

 ature 134°, 120°, and 122° for the horse, cow, and mixed manure, respectively. 

 After 60 days the heat had all passed off and no further readings were taken. 

 At the end of the 6 months, when the buried seeds were sown on sterilized soil, 

 no growth was obtained. 



In other tests the seeds were left in the manure for only a month. No seeds 

 germinated after this treatment, but some seeds of rib grass {Plantago 

 lanceolata), horse nettle (Solanum caroUncnse), common plantain {P. major), 

 large ragweed {Ambrosia triflda), bitter dock (Rumex obtusif alius), and 

 mallow {Malva rotund if alia) were found still hard and firm. 



For the purpose of studying the effect of animal digestion on weed seeds ?> 

 healthy yearling calves were fed seeds from a large number of common weeds, 

 and in the germination test in the greenhouse after the seeds had passed 

 through the animals the conditions usually existing when top-dressing with 

 fresh manure, plowing under fresh manure, and pasturing cattle on fields is 

 practiced were approximated. Of the seeds in the manure used as a top- 

 dressing 12.8 per cent, of those in the manure turned under 2.3 per cent, and of 

 those in the manure left as it is found in pastures 3.1 i^er cent grew. The seeds 

 giving the greatest germination were those of crab grass, Jamestown weed, rag- 

 weed, and horse nettle. 



HORTICULTURE. 



Manuring and fertilizing truck crops, C. P. Close and T. H. White {Mary- 

 land Sta. Bui. 126, pp. 219-2Jt2, figs. Jf). — This bulletin contains the results of 

 several manuring and fertilizing experiments with truck crops in which it was 

 sought to bring out the relative values of stable manure and commercial fer- 

 tilizer, plowing under commercial fertilizer as compared with using it as a top- 

 dressing harrowed into the soil just before planting the crop, heavy and light 

 applications of commercial fertilizers and of fresh and rotted stable manures, 

 rotted manure turned and unturned while in the compost heap, commercial 

 fertilizers derived entirely from mineral sources and those derived entirely 

 from animal and vegetable sources, and the use of stable manure as compared 

 with commercial fertilizer for sweet potatoes. 



The tests were conducted on four series of plats. Series D was started in 

 1899, and series A, B, and C in 1902, 1903, and 1904, respectively. The manures 

 and commercial fertilizers were used in connection with green crops turned 

 under. As near as possible, the same amount of actual plant food was sup- 

 plied in the chemical fertilizer as was found in the stable manure. A detailed 

 account is given of the work conducted on each series. The results which 

 are tabulated and discussed under their separate headings, are briefly sum- 

 marized as follows: 



" Stable manures always increased the yields, but valued at $2 per ton did 

 not give as much profit as commercial fertilizer. 



