960 EXPEKIMKNT STATION RECOKD. 



cubic foot used in oonerating gas, destroys the oerinination of seeds 

 tiiat have })eon soaked for 24 hours in water. The I'esistance of seeds 

 to this gas seems to be somewhat in proportion to the length of time 

 in which they had been previously soaked. 



The germination of ripe and half-ripe dodder seed, W. Kinzel 

 {Laiidtr. Ver.s. Stat., -U {I'JOU), So. 1-J, jjp. 7 J.;-7.;j). -Studies are 

 reported upon the germination of seed of various degrees of ripeness 

 of OnmutaepiUnum^ C. cpithyTnuin^ C. plani flora ^unA O. em'opa^a. It 

 was found that the half -ripe seeds of these species retained sufiicient 

 vitality to germinate almost as readily as the fully ripe seed. In some 

 cases they germinated ciuicker than ripe seeds, and when they Avere 

 found in their capsules the percentage germination was but little 

 inferior to well-ripened seed. The author says that C. planifl/jra is 

 occasionally found in American clover seed. This seems to be a mis- 

 statement, as that species does not appear in any of the recent system- 

 atic treatises of the flora of this country. The species is a south 

 European one and its reputed presence is probably due to a wrong 

 determination. 



Destruction of weeds in fields of cereals, C. Dusserre {Ann. 

 A(jr. Su/'.ssr, 1 {1900}, jVc 0,pp. .Jol--Jo7,fl(js. .'f). — An account is given 

 of a number of experiments in which oat flelds were sprayed with 

 ditiei'ent strengths of solutions of copper sulphate, iron sulphate, and 

 sodium nitrate, together with mixtures of copper sulphate and sodium 

 nitrate. The best results, so far as weed destruction was concerned, 

 were obtained where the fields were sprayed with a 5 per cent solution 

 of copper sulphate, followed closely b}^ spraying with a 2 per cent 

 solution of copper sulphate and a 10 per cent solution of sodium 

 nitrate. The influence on the oat crop showed a decided stimulating 

 efl'ect where the combination of the copper and soda was emploj^ed. 

 The weeds destroyed were mustard, sow thistle, hemp nettle, bind- 

 weed, dock, and various chenopods. Directions are given for the 

 proper application of these herbicides, which should be applied at the 

 rate of 800 to 1,000 liters per hectare. The spraying should be made 

 on a calm, clear day, and should not be delayed beyond the time when 

 the weeds have their tirst two or three leaves. 



Report on seed testing at the agricultural station of Modena for the year 

 1899, F. ToDARo {HUtz. Sper. Agr. ItaL, 3J {1900), No. S, pp. 2:i8-258).—k rej)ort 

 is given on the activity of the station during the year in testing seeds, and the purity, 

 germinative ability, and intrinsic value of the different samples are shown in tabu- 

 lar form. The principal weed seeds found in a number of different samples are 

 mentioned, and special studies on a number of kinds of seed described. 



Seed testing, T. W. Kikk {New Zealand Dept. Agr. Rpt. 1900, pp. 299-S0S).—A 

 ta))ulated statement is given showing the percentage of germination obtained with 

 the samples tested. Wliile slight improvement in the ((uality of seed is noted, much 

 weedy and worthless seed is still in the markets of the country. 



