1052 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



more than lialf the s^amples of red clover, alsike clover, white clover, alfalfa, and 

 timothy. The average i)urity of all wim[)les examined showed a depreciation of 0.5 

 per cent from tliat of tlie previous year. 



Potassium perchlorate poisoning and its prevention, J. R. JuNtJNER {Deut. 

 Landir. Prexxe, :.'7 {1900), Xo. 62, p. 771, figs. 2). — Germination experiments to study 

 the physiological effects of the perchlorate are reported. 



The weeds of Ontario, F. C. Harrison {Bui. Ontario Dept. A<ji\, 1900, Mar., pp. SO, 

 fiijs. 34). — Poijular notes are given on the introduction and spread of weeds, means 

 for their identification, and suggestions for eradication. A number (jf the more com- 

 mon weeds are figured and described, and specific directions for their eradication are 

 given so far as possible. 



Destruction of mustard w^ith ammonium sulphate, (j. Castei.-Dei.etrez (Jour. 

 Roll. A(ir. Soc. L'Est Jlchj., 1900, p. 11.'). 



The destruction of certain weeds, as ground ivy, mustard, and thistles, by 

 spraying with a solution of metallic salts {Deut. Lanchr. Pmsvsr, 27 {1900), No. 

 27, jyp. 327-329, jigs. G). 



The eradication of lantana {Indlun Forester, 27 {1901), No. 1, pp. 28-33). — 

 Lantana is said to have been introduced into India as a hedge plant some 40 years 

 ago, and it has spread widely, until in some districts it has become a very serious pest. 

 An account is given of various experiments conducted for its eradication. In Ceylon 

 it was found that lantana which had thickly occupied the ground for 12 or more years, 

 could be cleared by contract at the rate of about $7.50 per acre, the plants being 

 ujirooted and l)urned. Detailed acc-ounts are given of experiments in eradication in 

 a number of parts of India, from which it appears that dense growths of this pest ma}' 

 be eradicated at a cost of about $7.50 per acre, whicii includes the original clearing 

 and 3 seasons of subsequent work. 



DISEASES OF PLANTS. 



A preliminary buUetiii on the prevention of smut on oats, E. F. 



Peenot {Oregon !Sta. Bid. (Jo., pp. 9). — A preliminary report is given 

 of a series of experiments to prevent the smut on oats, in whieh seed 

 were treated with solutions of copper sulphate and zinc sulphate, hot 

 water, formalin, and sterilized dry hot air at a temperature of 200^' F. 

 for 10 minutes. After treatment the seeds were sown, and at harvest 

 all the oat heads which showed any signs of snuit were carefully 

 removed and counted. The least smut was found on the plats the 

 seed of which had l)een treated with hot water and hot air, the great- 

 est amount of suuit occurring on those plats which had received the 

 formalin treatment in which two different strengths of solution were 

 used. The effect of treating oats for 10 minutes at different tempera- 

 tures of hot air, from 132 to 200°, were tested, in which it was found 

 that none of the treatments seriously affected the gei'mination of the 

 seed. On account of the convenience of handling the oats, the author 

 is disposed to recommend the diy hot air sterilization for snuit pre- 

 vention. An extensive experiment with different seed grains is to be 

 conducted, in which the value of hot air as a preventive of smut is to 

 be further investigated. 



