372 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



briefly ck'SiTil)es his own experiments, summarizing the results. The author elaims 

 that the j)rolonge(l vitality <>f many seeds depends upon the teni])erature in wliieh 

 they are stored, the dryness of the atmosphere, and the action of oxygen and of 

 light. He claims that light exerts a positive effect on seeds asidt; from that of influ- 

 encing them through a rise in temperature. 



Report of the Seed Control Station of Christiania, 1902, O. Qvam {Ber. 

 Stat. Kem. Kontrolxtat. og Frokontroland. Kristiauia, lUOJ, pp. 35-54). — A report is given 

 of the seed control investigations conducted during the year 1902. During this 

 period 1,287 samples of seed were tested, of which 573 were cereals, 279 grass seed, 

 346 leguminous forage plants, and the remainder seed of garden plants, forest trees, 

 etc. The form of contract and guaranty are given, together witii data regarding the 

 fees for seed testing. The maximum, minimum, and average germinations of all the 

 species of seed tested are shown in tabular form. 



Some weeds of Iowa, L. H. Pammel {Iowa Sta. Bui. 70, jjoptilar cd., pp. 295-372, 

 figs. 63). — This is a condensed and popularized edition of a more extended bulletin 

 to be published relating to the weeds of Iowa, and is to take the place of previous 

 publications of the station relating to weed problems. After describing the duration 

 of weeds and giving general observations upon their eradication, the author describes 

 at considerable length various weed pests, grouping them under the headings of 

 weeds of corn fields, grain fields, clover fields, timothy meadows, pastures, garden 

 crops, and poisonous weeds. 



Hawkweeds, W. M. Munson [Maine Sta. Bui. 95, pp. 114-ilG) .—The author com- 

 ments upon the wide distribution of the orange hawkweed {HieracUim aurantiacuni) 

 throughout the State, stating that it has become one of the worst weeds destroying 

 all grass in its vicinity and being of itself of no value for hay. Numerous attempts 

 have been made to destroy this weed by the application of salt, kerosene, or other 

 chemicals, but the experience at the station shows that the only certain remedy for 

 its eradication is clean culture with some hoed crop. 



Notes are also given on the king-devil weed {H. prealtum), which is sometimes 

 associated with the orange hawkweed and has proved in some regions more trouble- 

 some even that pest. It may be distinguished from the orange hawkweed bj* pro- 

 ducing stems 2 or more feet high and several from the same root. For its eradication 

 the same plan recommended for the orange hawkweed should be adopted, and the 

 treatment should begin early in the year and continue throughout the growing season. 



The chemical extermination of weeds, J. O.Morgan {Agr. Education, 6 {1903), 

 No. 1, pp. 10-12) . — The results of a number of experiments with different chemicals 

 for the destruction of w^eeds are given. Weed plats of one-fourth rod each were 

 selected and received applications of solutions of copper sulphate, corrosive sublimate, 

 potassium sulphid, common salt, and sodium arsenate. The weeds embraced a large 

 number of species of different genera of plants and as would have been expected the 

 effect on the different forms varied widely. 



The potassium sulphid appeared to have no effect whatever in checking the weed 

 growth, and the copper and corrosive sublimate solutions were without very much 

 effect in deterring them. The best results were obtained where sodium arsenate was 

 used, and where considerable areas are to be treated it is suggested that spraying 

 with this solution would give the best and cheapest results. 



Noxious weed inspection, T. N. Willing {Rpl. Dept. Agr. Northivest Territories, 

 1902, pp. 30-3 J). — A review is given of the condition reported by the weed inspectors 

 in the Northwest Territories, and the author calls attention to the fact that compe- 

 tent inspectors can not be retained and do good work at the jiresent rate of compen- 

 sation. The advantage of weed inspection is pointed out and some progress is being 

 made in securing the compliance with the laws relating to weed destruction. Atten- 

 tion is called to the danger of the distribution of noxious weeds through the sowing 

 of flaxseed, and to extensive farming is attributed the distribution of many of the 

 worst weeds in the country. 



