20 
Adulteration of Seeds. 
Cuscuta Tiifolii — Clover Dodder. 
considerably beyond the patch, apparently formed by it, and then 
to burn the crop along with the pared soil. 
On the Continent the destruction of dodder has been much 
considered, and many experiments tried. One of these is said 
to be entirely successful, and being a most simple remedy is 
deserving of trial. It is merely the application of sulphate of 
iron (green vitrol) dissolved in water, one pound to the gallon, 
and distributed from a watering-pot. It speedily destroys the 
dodder, leaving the clover comparatively uninjured by the appli- 
cation. Two dressings on succeeding days are sufficient, and 
the plants soon resume a healthy appearance, if not already too 
much injured by the parasite.* 
But it is much more desirable, if possible, to prevent than to 
cure, and this aim may be considerably aided by greater atten- 
tion to cleanliness of seed, and especially its freedom from 
dodder. If lucerne or clover seed is well sifted before being 
sown the dodder seed will be completely separated. Lucerne 
seeds are about two lines long and one and a fourth broad ; clover 
seed is much the same, while dodder seed is little more than half 
the size, and is spheroidal or in shape like the quarter of an 
* ' Our Farm Crops.' By Professor John Wjlson. Part viii. p. 125. 
