298 OHIO EXPERIMENT STATION: BULLETIN 175. 



Illustrations and lists of impurities of clover seeds and alfalfa 

 are inserted in this edition of the weed manual. The published 

 results of examination of samples will show the possibility of intro- 

 ducing- new weed species in these seeds and also the great danger 

 from dodders, which are especially to be feared in alfalfa growing. It 

 seems possible for each grower to learn the commoner weed seeds 

 and to be able on all occasions, and willing- to recognize them. Seed 

 dealers have an equal interest in the matter. They are commonly 

 on the alert with respect to seed impurities and will cover the 

 matter so far as demanded by their patrons. In the line of seed 

 examinations the Botanical Department of the Station stands ready, 

 as in the past, to render service if seed samples are submitted for 

 examination. 



In the matter of books, I believe we have no single work in 

 English, aside from the bulletins mentioned, which illustrates, or des- 

 cribes, many weed seeds. The bulletins just referred to will serve 

 the purpose, together with others, quite satisfactorily to most. 

 Those who read German will find Nobbe's Samenkunde (Knowledge 

 of Seeds) exceedingly useful. It treats of all questions pertaining 

 to seeds, their structure, testing, impurities, and the detection of 

 the latter. This work was published in Berlin by Wiegandt, Hem pel 

 & Parey, in 1876 but may still be obtained from the second-hand 

 book storeso The Eng-lish reader, familiar with botanical names, 

 can make good use of the 339 woodcuts, chiefly "representing- seeds 

 of interest to us." Another and more recent German work, "Die 

 Unkrautsamen (Weed Seeds) by Burchard is also published by the 

 same publisher, Paul Parey. Burchard's work gives excellent illus- 

 trations of about 200 weed seeds in 5 plates. See also Bulletin 66, 

 Kansas Experiment Station. 



But aside from books, by investing- in a few dozens of small 

 glass bottles (vials) and labels, one can soon make a valuable and 

 useful collection of seeds. The collection being- done from known 

 plants and the vials labeled accordingly, the seeds will be 

 available for reference at all times. Collections of seeds may 

 also be put up in sheets as suggested by Dr. B. D. Halsted. 

 Heavy bristol board is perforated with a wad-cutter, then by past- 

 ing gummed paper or other bristol over the back, placing - the seeds 

 in the holes and covering-, the whole with g-lass or each ori- 

 fice by ? small cover slip of thin glass or mica, the labeled samples 

 will be so placed that seeds to be identified may be compared with 

 them. We have found that if well gummed labels are used for the 

 back these may be moistened again after putting on, and the seeds 



