564 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



tests for vitality of 291 samples of seeds, chiefly of garden vegetables. 

 Since November, 1896, 214 samples of onion seeds, representing the 

 crops of 1896, 1897, 1898, and 1899, have been tested, the results show- 

 ing that the vitality seems to depreciate with increased age. Compari- 

 sons are also made between Connecticut and California grown seed, 

 from which it appears that the California seed sprouts better than the 

 home-grown. Comparisons of the vitalit}^ of crops of Connecticut- 

 grown onion seeds in the je^rs 1894-1899 are summarized. The 

 sprouting capacity of different varieties was again tested, with the 

 result that the 3 Globe varieties appeared to be essentially alike, while 

 the White Portugal was distinctly inferior to them. 



Spraying for the destruction of mustard, F. T. Shutt {Canada 

 Expt. Farnix Rpii<. 1899 ^2)j>. 191^-196). — A number of experiments are 

 reported in which different strengths of sulphate of iron and sulphate 

 of copper were tested for the eradication of wild mustard or charlock. 

 This weed has become one of the most persistent in Canada. The 

 author spra3^ed barley plats with 5 and 10 per cent solutions of 

 iron sulphate or 2 and 5 per cent solutions of copper sulphate, at 

 the rate of 50 gal. per acre. At this time the grain was between 15 

 and 20 in. high and the mustard just coming into ffower. The iron 

 sulphate solutions were without lasting effect upon the mustard. The 

 copper sulphate damaged the barley to some extent and the stronger 

 solution it is thought lessened the yield slightly, but ])oth strengths 

 almost entirely destroyed the mustard plants present. 



In order to ascertain the effect of these solutions upon this weed at 

 younger stages of growth, mustard seed was sown on plats in the farm 

 and when the plants were from 6 to 9 in. high were sprayed with the 

 5 per cent solution of iron sulphate and the 2 per cent solution of cop- 

 per sulphate. The iron sulphate solution did not kill all the plants, 

 while the copper sulphate destroyed all within a few days. From the 

 data at hand the author feels warranted in making the following 

 sugestions: 



"A 2 per cent solution of sulphate of copper (that is, 2 lbs. in 10 gal. of water) is, 

 all things considered, the most effective, safest (as regards the grdin crop), and most 

 economical to use. The spraying should be done thoroughly, and for that purpose 

 .50 gal. per acre will be required. If a heavy rain follows the spraying within 24 

 hours the operation will have to be repeated. In order that the work may be effect- 

 ive, spraying should not be delayed after the mustard plants have reached a height 

 of 6 to 9 in. If allowed to grow taller than this, stronger solutions would be neces- 

 sary and in larger quantities, as the grain would then largely protect the mustard." 



Results of experiments on the spraying of charlock, P. S. 

 FouLKEs(-/(7W/'. IJnic. KdcJi.swn Col.^ Rcddhaj [Juigl(iiid\, Sip. 9, 1900., 

 pp. 55-59). — Experiments were conducted on crops of wheat, barley, 

 and oats for the destruction of charlock. A]3plications of copper sul- 

 phate solutions of from 1 to 6 per cent at the rate of from 25 to 50 

 gal. per acre were emplo^'ed. The applications were made at differ- 



