DISEASES OF PLANTS. 565 



cut times uiul under varying" <'limatic eoiiditions. An almost total 

 failure i.s reported from one series of experiments; elsewhere the 

 effect of spraying- was to retard the growth of the charlock. It is 

 concluded from the experiments that if care is taken in the spraying 

 and the application be made on a clear, still, bright day, spra3dng for 

 charlock is undoubtedly an effective means for its destruction. The 

 application should be made before the plants come into flower, and a 

 2 per cent solution at the rate of 50 g-al. per acre gave the best results. 

 If these conditions are complied with, one spraying should be suf- 

 ficient to destroy the weeds. If the weather is unfavorable or if rain 

 falls within -24: hours after spraying, a second application should ])e 

 made. 



Seeds and seed tests, C. T. Musson {Agr. fkiz. New South Wales, 11 {1000), No. 

 10, pp. sr)6-862). — An account is given of seed tests performed at Hawkesbury Agri- 

 cultural College and the importance of seed testing is shown. The methods pursued 

 are described and comparisons given between the standard germinations of a num- 

 ber of seeds and the percentages of germination obtained at this station. 



Tests of the vitality of grain and other seed for 1899, W. T. Ellis {Canada 

 Expt. Faniix ]t[)ts. ISH',), pji. .)8-40). — A talnilated report is given of the results of 

 seed tests for vitality made during the season, 2,058 samples of seed being tested, 

 more than four-fifths of which were wheat, barley, oats, and peas. A report is also 

 given showing the results of grain tests made for each of the 8 provinces of Canada. 



Testing grass seed, C. D. Woods {Maine Sta. Bui. 65, pp. 112-114). — Notes are 

 given on 103 samples of (dover and grass seed which were examined by the station 

 during 1899. Tables are given showing the results of the separate analyses as well as 

 the kinds of weed seed found in the different samples examined. 



The worst weeds of the Northwest, J. Fletcher ( Canada. Expt. Farrm Rpts. 

 1899, j)j). 184-194, Ji'js. 8). — Lists are given of weeds of the Northwest Territories, 

 they l)eing divided into the worst weeds and occasional weeds. The plants in ques- 

 tion are popularly described and, so far as known, remedies are suggested for their 

 destruction. The following list of weeds are considered especially noxious and every 

 effort should be put forth to destroy them when detected or prevent their introduc- 

 tion to new localities: Stink weed or penny cress, wild oat, Canada thistle, tumbling 

 mustard, hare's ear mustard, false flax, ball mustard, wild mustard, shepherd's purse, 

 lamb's quarters, wild bu(;kwheat, Russian pigweed, cow cockle, great ragweed, Canada 

 fleabane, blue bur, peppergrass, and squirrel-tail grass. 



A brief description is given of weeders for use in extensive operations, and notes 

 are given on the condition of tjie wheat crop relative to the occurrence of weeds and 

 weed seeds. The crop of this season is said to have been exceedingly free from 

 weed seeds. 



Destruction of weeds by chemical means, (). Luggar {Far)n Studeuls' Rcr., 5 

 {1900), No. 11, jip. 16S-1G5, fig. 1). — A poi>ular article on weed destruction by spray- 

 ing with solutions of iron or copper sulphates. 



DISEASES OF PLANTS. 



Miscellaneous notes on fungus diseases, W. C. Sturgis {Con- 

 necticut Stide Sta. R])t. 1800, j>t. J, pp. 277^82). — ISotesare given on 

 the downy mildew of melons, a destructive disease of potatoes, injury 

 to peas, leaf spot of alfalfa, and a disease of peppers. 



