HORTICULTURE. 335 



sample was 70 per cent, while in the other 6 samples it was below 45 per cent. 

 One sample of reiltop examined had a pnrity of 99.S per cent, and 3 samples of 

 B ramus inermis had an average pnrity of 99.7 per cent and an average germina- 

 tion of 73 per cent. 



A list of weeds reported as introduced with clover seed is jiresented and brief 

 directions for removing noxious weed seeds from agricultural seeds are given. 

 The results of purity aiid germination tests witli seeds of garden and field 

 crops by the station and other experiment and seed control stations are given 

 in tables and brietiy discussed. 



Pure seed investig'ations, C V. Gregory (loica Sfa, Bui. 90, popular ed., pp. 

 S-l.'i, figs. 22). — This is a popular edition of the bulletin noted above. 



Seed work, G. E. Stone (Massachusetts Sta. Rpt. 1907, JW- 122, 123). — During 

 the year 359 samples of seeds were tested and separated, as compared with 231 

 in 1906. The average germination of onion seed for 1907 was 86 per cent, as 

 compared with 79 per cent the year before. White pine seed had a germination 

 of 59 per cent. Only 4 i)er cent was discarded from the best tobacco seed, as 

 compared with 33 per cent for the poorest sample. From the best onion seed 

 1.6 per cent was discarded and from the poorest sample 43.3 per cent. 



The development and organization of plant breeding' in Denmark, Sweden, 

 and Probstei, Holtaxeier (Laiuhc. Jalirb., 37 (1908), Xo. 2. pp. 311-3S0). — ■ 

 This article discusses the history, progress, and present status of plant breed- 

 ing, especially that of field crops, in Denmark, Sweden, and the locality known 

 as Probstei and situated in the eastern portion of Holsteiu in Germany, in the 

 vicinity of Kiel. The area of Probstei is limited to only a few s«]uare miles, 

 but seed growing has been carried on for so long a time and such good seed is 

 produced that the locality has become very well known. The methods employed 

 by prominent plant breeders are described and the particular varieties origi- 

 nated are mentioned. A bibliography of 24 references is given. 



HORTICULTURE. 



Experiments in drug plant cultivation, S. C. IIood CScnnont Sta. Rpt. 

 1907, pp. 371-386). — An account with the results to date is given of experi- 

 ments, conducted jointly by the Vermont Experiment Station and this Depart- 

 ment during the seasons of 1903 to 1906, in the cultivation of several drug 

 plants, including yellow dock, burdock, poppies, Seneca snakeroot, summer 

 savory, digitalis, belladonna, sage, and several common herbs. 



The results show that root drugs such as burdock and yellow dock can be 

 profitably grown in Vermont providing the land is low priced. It was demon- 

 strated that Seneca snakeroot can be successfully grown under cultivation. 

 Belladonna fails to mature in the short season, and sage, digitalis, and lovage 

 will not survive the winter even though they make a good growth the first 

 season. The culture of such herbs as catnip, thyme, lobelia, pennyroyal, and 

 of seed such as caraway, fennel, and coriander, is not likely to prove profitable. 

 Although the cultivation of poppies for the capsules and seed is not considered 

 promising for Vermont, it is believed that they may be successfully cultivated 

 in the future for the direct production of morphin. Further work is to be 

 done along this line. From fertilizer experiments and variety tests made, it 

 appears that the production of strong healthy plants is more important for the 

 morphin content than the use of large amounts of any particular chemical. 



The Montreal market muskmelon industry, W. Stuart {Tcrmont Sta. Rpt. 

 1907, pp. 358-366). — An account, leased on the personal investigations of the 

 author, is given of the muskmelon industry on the island of Montreal. The 

 phases considered include cultural methods, size and types of melons, seed 



