» » »»» » » » » » Please handle this volume with care. The University of Connecticut Libraries, Storrs ^"^ » » »*»"» » » » 3 11S3 DimabDfl 3 p landle t witl e Universit Librari 's^7^^9' a J' t JUNy-(9IO i^" IIYERSITY OF VERMONT AND STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE VERMONT AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION BURLINGTON, VT. BULLETIN NO. 146 NOVEMBER, 1909 The Grass and Clover Seed Trade in Vermont in I907-I909 <30VERMMENT PUBLICATIONS burlington : receivep^ Free Press Printing Company. '■f x ^9°9. JUNVd 1S74 '>'^ VVILBUR CROSS LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT ATE BOARD OF CONTROL Pres. M. H. BUCKHAM, ex-offldo, Burlington. Hon. E. J. ORMSBEE, Brandon. Hon. CASSIUS PECK, Burlington. Hon. G. S. FASSETT, Enosburgh. OFFICERS OF THE STATION J. L. HILLS, Director. L. R. JONES, Botanist. F. A. RICH, Veterinarian. CASSIUS PECK, Farm Superintendent. C. H. JONES, Chemist. R. M. WASHBURN, Dairy Husbandman. A. F. HAWES, (State Forester), Forester. H. A. EDSON, Bacteriologist. M. B. CUMMINGS, Horticulturist. B. F. LUTMAN, Assistant Botanist. P. A. BENEDICT, Assistant Chemist. JENNIE L. ROWELL, Assistant Chemist. J. W. WELLINGTON, Assistant Horticulturist. W. F. HAMMOND, Expert in Horse Breeding.* STANLEY HARGREAVES, Gardener. MARY E. PATTRIDGE, Stenographer. INA RAND, Stenographer. C. P. SMITH, Treasurer. «®"Copies of the reports and bulletins of the Station are sent free of charge to any address upon application. ^S'Address all communications, not to individual oflBcers, but to the Experiment Station, Burlington, Vt. Director's and State Forester's ofBces, chemical, horticultural and dairy laboratories are in Morrill Hall at the head of Main street; botanical and bacteriological laboratories are at Williams Science Hall, University Place; vetei'inary laboratories at 499 Main Street. Experiment farm and buildings are on the Williston road, adjoin- ing the University grounds on the east. •In cooperation with Bu. An. Ind., U. S. Dept. Agr. BULLETIN 146: THE GRASS AND CLOVER SEED TRADE IN VER- MONT IN 1907-1909 By George T. Harrington TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 204 Summary 205 Previous seed studies 206 Good commercial seed defined 206 Seed of desired kind 207 Purity ; freedom from weed seeds 208 Germinability and growth 208 The weed problem 209 Methods and limitations of seed control in Vermont 212 False economy of low grade seed purchase 213 Results of inspection 216 Tabular matter 218-226 Timothy 218 Red and alsike clover 222 Miscellaneous seed 226 1 Timothy 217 2 Red clover 228 3 Alsike clover 230 4 Miscellaneous seed 232 Whence come the weed seeds 234 Vermont's worst weeds in 1909 237 Vermont's worst weeds in 1872, 1891 and 1898, compared with those of 1909 238 The newer weed invasions 239 •m INTRODUCTION The author of this bulletin-a graduate of the Agricultural Department of the University in the class of 1909, and now em- ployed in the seed laboratory of the Bureau of Plant Industry o the United States Department of Agriculture-made a study of the grass and clover seed trade of Vermont as it has obtamed dur- ing recent vears, submitting the results thereof in the form of the senior thesis which is a regular pre-requisite of graduation. This bulletin is an abstract therefrom. Another graduate of the same class, Miss Alma L. Carpenter, studied the history of the grass and clover seed industry of the United States, presenting this as her senior graduating thesis. Her survey of this matter is now being worked over with a view of issuing it as a bulletin from the office of the State Commissioner of Agriculture. These two bulletins will supplement each other. Arrangements have been made whereby the latter bulletin issued by the Commissioner^ will be sent to the entire Vermont station mailing list. Joseph L. Hiu.s, Director. SUMMARY Good seed should be true to name, reasonably pure and free from foreign matter, particularly weed seeds, and should germinate well and grow vigorously. Seed control in the United States is of two sorts; the regular inspection of the trade under station auspices, which obtains in a few states and in Canada, and the sporadic testing of samples submitted by interested parties, buyers or pur- chasers. The latter method is the one now in vogue in Ver- mont. A survey of 131 samples sent on for examination during the past three seasons indicates that; 1. The timothy seed was usually of good grade carrying normally but few weed seeds; that 2. The red clover seed samples varied widely in quality and showed a much lower average than did the timothy, many lots being very poor and some execrable as regards their weed seed contents; that 3. The alsike clover samples were highly variable in quality, none being as good as were some red clover samples and none as poor as were some of the red clovers. The relationship of the trade in clover seed to the Ver- mont weed flora, both old and new, is pointed out, as well as the fact that legal enactment in other states, and particularly in Canada, tends to flood with low grade seeds other states in which no such enactments exist. 206 Bulletin 146 previous seed studies For twenty years the Vermont station has undertaken to analyze samples of grass and clover seeds sent by purchasers or dealers vi'ithin the state, and to determine their purity with special reference to their weed seed content. It has furthermore made one quite systematic inspection of the trade in this commodity as well as two briefer studies.^ Similar work, often of greater volume, has been done at many other stations as well as by the National Department, using either seeds forwarded by interested parties or those inspected in the open market. As a result there now obtains among the better informed farmers and seed dealers a clearer appreciation of the inferiority of poor seed, a better understanding of those qualities which collectively characterize good seed, and a more general and intelligent knowledge of the relationship between the character of the seed sown and the weed problem. It is the primary purpose of this bulletin to present and briefly to discuss the results of seed tests made at this Station since 1907, and to review the concurrent trade conditions. In- cidentally are pointed out the reasons for and the necessity of such means of seed control as may afford buyers reliable information as to purity and comparative values. Furthermore and finally, the limitations of the present situation as to seed sales as they obtain in Vermont are cited, and the results compared with those attained in other states and countries where efficient seed control measures are enforced. GOOD COMMERCIAL SEED DEFINED Good seed should be: (i). Of the kind and variety desired. (2). Reasonably pure and reasonably free from foreign material. (3). Capable of germinating well and growing vigorously. ^Vt. Sta. Rpt. 11, pages 229-234 (1898); Rpt. 13, pages 287-299 (1900); Rpt. 17, pages 402-417 (1904). Grass and Clover Seed Trade in Vermont 207 ( I ) . Seed of the desired kind and variety. — The importance of this matter is obvious. The buyer of clover seed cavils at the presence of material amounts of timothy which costs but half its price ; and he who seeds down for market hay, using- timothy as he should, decries an admixture of clover seed even though the latter is the more costly, because the presence of clover lowers the selling, price of the hay. Kentucky blue grass is prized as the finest grass for lawns and pastures. A relatively high price being asked for genuine seed, it is often sophisticated, Canada blue grass (Poa compressa), an almost worthless species, being substituted in part or wholly therefor. Perhaps no other ex- ample could be cited which so well illustrates the necessity of careful expert examination. The distinctive characteristics of Kentucky and of Canada blue grass seed are sufficiently marked to admit of their certain identification by a trained analyst ; yet the two are sufficiently alike and their distinctive characteristics are so apt to be overlooked, that the scrutiny of the ordinary purchaser or dealer does not detect substitution or sophistication. Roberts and Freeman^ say that "while the ordinary observer can readily be taught to distinguish Canada blue grass from Kentucky blue grass in the field, the writers know of no really effective and satisfactory way of distinguishing the commercial seed of the two species that can be used by the ordinary purchaser. It re- mains in their judgment absolutely a question for the expert." Other common adulterants in commercial seed are : Redtop chaff in Kentucky blue grass ; Italian rye grass in orchard grass ; rye grass in meadow fescue ; bur clover and yellow trefoil in alfalfa ; sweet clover and yellow trefoil in red clover. The certain detection of any of these admixtures necessitates expert observation. Unfortunately no method has been discovered save that of actual growth trials to distinguish from each other the seeds of many of the varieties of a single species, or in some cases to distinguish >Kans. Sta. Bui. 141, p. 108 (1907). 208 Bull]i:tin 146 the seeds of separate species; as for example mammoth clover (TrifoHum medium) from common red clover (Trifolium pra- tense). (2). Purity; freedom from foreign matter. — Three items are important in this connection; the determination of the presence, the absence, or the relative abundance of : (a). "Inert matter" (chaff, sticks, pebbles, etc.) (b). "Foreign seeds" (i. e., other than of the kind bought), (c). "Pure seed" (actual kind bought). The determination of these three items indicates the purity of the sample. The foreign seed content is usually subdivided into "weed seeds/' or "noxious seeds," and "harmless seeds," the kinds and numbers of each per pound being specified.^ (3). Germinability and grozuth. — Quite as important as the purity of the seed supply is its germinating power, its abihty, when properly sown in a well tilled field, to produce an adequate growth. Of two lots of clover; one composed of 90 percent pure seed, nine-tenths of which is germinable and 10 percent of which is made up of harmless chaff, etc. ; the other composed of 100 percent pure seed, half of which is incapable of germination ; the former, impure sample is to be prefered for the reason that it furnishes 81 pounds of germinable seed as against 50 pounds; that it furnishes potentially a crop larger by 62 percent ; that it is worth 16 cents a pound where the second grade is worth 10 cents. Of course this argument holds only if the impurity is of a harmless character. Buyers are apt to judge the quality, probable germination and growth of their purchases by color and appearance. Doubtless fairly reliable indications are often thus furnished ; yet only actual germination tests afford absolute certainty. This fact is well illustrated by occasional lots of fine appearing red clover seed which may contain as much as 40 percent of the so-called "hard seed." The outer seed covering of this "hard seed" is so in- »See pages 218-219 and comments thereon. Grass and Clover SttD Trade in Vermont 209 durated as to retard the imbibation of water; hence it lies in the soil for months or years without change and consequently has relatively low agricultural values.^ In selecting seed, not only these three points above men- tioned should be kept in mind, that is to say the proportion of actual seed true to name, its germinating powers and the purity and freedom from weed seeds, but also a fourth, viz., the "actual value" bought for a given price. The weight of true clover seed capable of germination bought for a dollar rather than the pounds of more or less pure seed purchased for that price should be the criterion. According to this measure a relatively costly seed may prove the cheapest. Yet one should not fail to remember that the financial measure is not the sole standard by which one should determine purchase. One should not buy seed, even though the price is reasonable and its germinating powers good, if it contains any material number of weed seeds. THE WEED problem Seed purity and germinability are important ; yet the control of the weed seed situation is more so. Foreign, harmless seeds cause some slight loss, but weed seed admixtures are pestiferous. So many kinds and in such numbers occur in some poorly cleaned commercial seeds as to constitute at once a menace to good farming and a justification of the institution of a seed control. The use of seed of low germinating powers, of weak growth, or laden with inert matter, damages the one individual for one year and one crop. Not so with the use of the weed laden seed, for, generally speaking, the weed seeds thus sown are those which have matured at the same time as or slightly before the crop seed, and, being- planted therewith, they are apt to continue so to do. Every weed in the meadow occupies the room which should be utilized by a more nutritious and palatable plant. It ^Nobbe has shown that certain samples of red clover seed after 26 years' immersion in water still maintained their relatively hard character. 210 BuLIvETiN 146 appropriates to itself the plant food and moisture which other- wise would be available to crop growth. If it matures seed, its power for evil during succeeding years is multiplied indefinitely, both to the home farm and to the neighborhood, if the seed are of the sort which are carried by winds, birds or otherwise. Weeds propagated by underground stems or rhizomes, such for example, as quack grass or witch grass^ and orange hawk- weed or paintbrush^ are peculiarly apt to increase their ability to do harm. The persistence of witch grass and its rapid spread are the despair of the Vermont farmer ; and the rapid spread of the hawk weed or paintbrush by means of a wind blown seed has carried it within a score of years to almost every part of the state.^ Weeds are not the private problem of the individual ; they are a public nuisance, the control of which concerns all mankind and not the intelligent husbandman alone. Though other avenues of introduction exist — railroads, escaped ornamentals, etc. — the two means whereby most of the new weeds gain entrance and old weeds become more widely distributed, are commercial seeds of poor quality, and certain commercial feeding stuffs which carry unground or untreated screenings from flour mills and from the seed screening machines. The commercial seed inlet ad- mits the greater number. All farmers must needs use seed, whereas they need not use feeding stuffs which are under sus- picion. Furthermore, the feeding stuffs inspection has served, to some extent at least, to point out the sinners among feeds, whereas no such system is in vogue as to the seed trade. The relationship of the feed supply to this situation will not be fur- ther discussed in this bulletin, as it has been reviewed in detail in previous issues (bulletins 131, 133, 138, 144). *This station will shortly publish a bulletin, No. 149, dealing with a satisfactory method of combatting witch grass. ^^See Vt. Sta. Bui. 56 (1896). 'See in this connection the comparatively small area in Vermont seriously infested in 1896, as indicated in bulletin 56. Grass and Clover Seed Trade in Vermont 211 SEED control It is evident from what has been said, and in view of the fact that few men are able to judge intelHgently of the com- parative merits of seeds, that vigilance is needed to minimize the weed seed distribution due to the use of commercial seeds. Herein lies the value of systematic seed control. In most European countries this need has given rise to a well regulated system, whereby seed dealers voluntarily place themselves under the jurisdiction of seed testing stations, guaranteeing their products, using station tests as the basis therefor, and submitting questions arising under this system to the decision of the station as arbiter. Several of the stations in this country make free analyses of seed samples sent them for that purpose by purchasers or dealers. In a few of the states (Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Kentucky, Iowa and perhaps others) more or less efficient laws are in force providing for systematic seed inspection, the aim of which is to control the local seed trade. The seed control act of Canada, passed in 1906, fixed stand- ards for timothy, red and alsike clovers or their mixtures, sold as first quality. These must not only be of a pre- scribed purity and germination, but also be free from specified weed seeds. The same law prescribes that certain weed seeds — a less extensive list — must either be entirely absent from the seeds of cereals, grasses, clovers and forage plants, or that their presence must be stated on the packages. It further expressly declares, as do also the statutes of certain states in this country, in effect that "the provisions contained in this act shall not apply to seeds marked 'not absolutely clean' and held or sold for export only."^ Such a proviso insures the exportation of such inferior products beyond the borders of Canada, or the states or European countries thus protecting themselves. The purveyors of such seed will naturally seek an outside market for such of their 'Dom. Can. Dept. Agr. BuL 1 (revised edition) (1908). 212 Bulletin 146 wares as are too foul for home sales. Much Canadian rejected seed has been sold of late in Vermont, especially in 1907 im- mediately after the passage of. the Canadian seed control act. METHODS AND LIMITATIONS Gl-.-oLED CONTROiL IN VERMONT The seed control of Europe, involving voluntary guaranties by dealers, does not obtain in America. Two situations occur here ; one wherein the station merely tests such samples as are forwarded, without making an attempt at state wide inspection ; and one wherein the station conducts such inspection by the col- lection and analysis of samples drawn in open market, on the strength of which inspection it estops illegal sales. There is no seed law on the statute books of Vermont ; hence no systematic work is done. Under such circumstances the extent of the work depends upon the initiative of the individual farmer ; the respon- sibility is lain upon the purchaser or dealer. He who sells or buys may, if he will, know as to the quality of the particular lot he has in hand. The assurance of good seed has thus been afforded in multitudinous cases, and the discovery of that of in- ferior quality has also been made in many cases. Many buyers accomplish this end by seeking only the best grades from reliable dealers ; or else by personal examination and comparison of the various grades as found upon the market. But many less thoughtful buyers on the contrary, because either of ignorance or of carelessness, buy and sow low grade seed, large amounts of which are sold within the state, and their fields become both neighborhood eyesores and neighborhood menaces. Against such a situation he who sows good seed and strives to eradicate weeds from his farm has neither protection nor redress. Doubtless the buyers of the lower grades rarely appreciate the facts. No one deliberately buys weed seeds. The saving of money, which is the bait put forward by the seller, is what attracts. The deliberate catering to the demand for a low priced seed, with quality and purity a secondary consideration, or the equally harmful though less reprehensible policy of the purveying of foul seed through Grass and Clover Seed Trade in Vermont 213 ignorance or carelessness, alike tend to spread weeds. The real fault lies with the buyer. If he get about it early enough he can determine where he may obtain really good seed; but he rarely does this. The better cHss of seed dealers prefer to carry the higher grades, but find it airncult to persuade farmers against the false economy of buying the lower grades. And so long as a demand exists for such it will be supplied. Per contra, when farmers will pay for better goods, dealers will gladly carry them. The station's analytical work is of aid to the trade and to discriminating buyers only in so far as they make use of it. Its limitations and defects lie in its necessarily unsystematic charac- ter. Without legal sanction and without funds, the Station is powerless to do more than call attention to its willingness to handle samples sent by individuals, so far as lies in its power.^ Especial attention is called however to the fourth proviso in the footnote. Samples received at the last moment before seed time, accompanied by a request for a report "by return mail," cannot be^usually handled to the satisfaction of the sender. They should be sent far in advance of the time of need, and ample time allowed for the necessarily slow process of examination. false economy of low grade seed purchases The following instances serve to show the false economy of buying low priced and inferior seed. Doubtless red clover is the foulest seed on the Vermont market. It varies most in price as compared with grade, and represents greater ranges in quality than occur with any other widely sold commercial seed. ^"Free analytical work is done without charge to the residents of the state if received not too frequently from one individual, provided: (a) the work appears to be of public benefit and the results are at the disposal of the Station to publish if it deems advisable; (b) the samples are taken in accordance with directions formulated and fur- nished by the Station; (c) the carriage charges are prepaid; (d) it is physically possible to do the work within a reasonable time and with- out serious interruption to regular and stated duties. Agricultural seeds, as to purity: If germination tests are desired the samples, if in too large numbers, may be declined or else submitted to the Seed Laboratory of the National Department of Agriculture." Vt. Sta. Circ. 3 (1909). 214 BuivLE^TlN 146 Moreover its selling price is unfortunately no necessary index of its 'quality. Indeed, it happens not infrequently that a medium priced seed may be a cleaner and wiser purchase than is that of a relatively high priced goods. It is the quality and not the price that should be the criterion. , Sample number ^ 39 42 34 True clover seed 58.2% 63.2% 87.4% Weed and harmless seeds 28.9% 19.9% 4.6% Inert matter (mostly Immature seed) 12.9% 16.9% 8. % Weed seeds, per pound 49,600 36,400 15,700 Harmless seeds, per pound 160,200 98,900 15,300 Recognized varieties of weed seeds 18 25 15 Recognized varieties of harmless seeds.... 5 4 4 For full data see pages 222-225. "There are others" (see numbers 36, 40, 43, and others, pages 222-223). In comparison with these products of the seed dealer's art may be placed numbers 16, 17, and 20. , Sample number ^ 16 17 20 True clover seed 99.1% 99.0% 99.2% Weed and harmless seeds 0.1% 0.4% 0.2% Inert matter (largely broken seed) 0.8% 0.6% 0.6% Weed seeds, per pound 100 1,700 300 Harmless seeds, per pound 100 4,700 600 Recognized varieties of weed seeds 17 3 Recognized varieties of harmless seeds .... 1 3 1 There are plenty of others. Good seed is obtainable, if wanted. Viewing sample 39 in another way : If 8 pounds were sown per acre there would be thus distributed : 172,000 seeds of barn grass (green foxtail) 59,200 " " sheep sorrel 51,200 " " pigweed (lambs' quarters) 28,800 " " docks 38,400 " " two varieties of plantain 19,200 " " sticky cockle (catchfly) 28,000 " " other weeds 396,800 weed seeds per acre Twenty-five thousand weeds per square rod, plants of a sort notoriously well able to thrive, owing to their early and vigorous growth. Furthermore, a nearly pure stand of grass or clover can more readily combat a few weeds than can less perfect stands wage successful war with considerable numbers, Grass and Clover Sekd Trade: in Vermont 215 A yet more inferior quality of seed than number 39 was recently analyzed at the United States Department of Agriculture. But half its content was true to name. It carried to the pound 199,000 harmless seeds of six varieties and 77,000 weed seeds of thirty known varieties. The germination of the true seed was 48 percent. It carried at best not more than approximately 96,000 living clover seed per pound, along with at least 37,000 weed seeds capable of thriving and nearly 100,000 of other and harmless though undesirable seed. Goods like number 39 and the sample just cited are not commonly sold in such foul condition. They are usually re- cleaned by the wholesale seedsman, or used in so-called "grading down" of better material to meet market demands for a cheap seed. If recleaned, their power for evil is minimized. If used as a diluent, their power for evil is magnified, for a noxious seed is more largely distributed over a larger area and given ample opportunity for establishing itself. Much of the low grade seed is thus graded down, and is on that account more objectionable than is a low grade product grown in a given locality and not mixed with seed elsewhere grown. Seed such as is exemplified by numbers 39, 42, 34, or the department sample, is much more expensive as an initial purchase than is seed of the quality of numbers 16, 17, and 20. That is to say, the actual clover seed contained in the poorer quality costs more than does that con- tained in the better quality. Indeed, one may, if he will, close his eyes to the weed seed contents, and base the argument solely on the clover seed contents of the two grades, and easily prove the better to be the cheaper. Their actual values may be deter- mined by multiplying purity percentages by germination percent- ages. Assuming an 80 percent germination for No. 17 (unques- tionably a low estimate) and for No. 39 (doubtless a high esti- mate, because of the shrivelled character of the seed), and using the actual selling prices, 20 cents for No. 17 and 15 cents for No. 39, the following data are obtained : 216 Bulletin 146 Sample number U. S. D. A. 17 39 sample Pure seed in 100 pounds 99 lbs. 58 lbs. 50 lbs. Germination 80% 80% 48% Germinable clover seed in 100 pounds... 79 lbs. 47 lbs. 24 lbs. Price per pound 20 cts. 15 cts Price per pound of pure seed 20.2 cts. 25.9 cts Price per pound germinable red clover seed 25% cts. 32.9 cts Relative values per pound 20 cts. 11.9 cts. 6.1 cts. In view of the fact that the actual red clover seed in number 39 and the departmental sample was shrivelled and doubtless less capable of vigorous growth than that in number 17, the above statement unquestionably overvalues the poorer products. Results of Inspection During the past three years 131 samples of seed have been sent in for report as to purity. Germination tests could not be made for lack of available appliances. These receipts consisted of the following sorts : Timothy 53 samples, red clover 43, alsike clover 18, red top, 5, alfalfa 3, oats, barley and Japanese millet, each 2, I^entucky blue grass, orchard grass, Hungarian, each I. The detailed statement as to their purity, the per- centages of foreign seed and of inert matter, and the numbers of noxious and of harmless seed per pound, with a statement of the numbers of each species and of the general grade of the seed appears on pages 218 to 226 inclusive. These somewhat formi- dable tables are discussed on page 217 and on pages 227 to 234 inclusive. It is reahzed that the small number of samples tested, 131 in all, is far from being representative of the Vermont trade in this important commodity. Yet, since the samples were re- ceived from all sections of this relatively small state, it is thought that the results obtained afford some index of the character of the trade, and that they show the common purveyal of both bad and good grades. Grass and Clover Seed Trade in Vermont 217 discussion oe results exhibited in tables on pages 2x8-226 I. Timothy (55 samples). — As a whole the timothy seed was found to be of good grade. Two lots (No. 6 of 1907 and No. 191 of 1909) carried respectively 13,000 and 21,000 weed seeds per pound. But one other lot (No. 119 of 1908) carried in excess of 3,000. In 1907 two lots carried more than one percent impurities ; in 1908 four lots ; in 1909 three lots ; or a total of about one in six. Only two lots carried more than 1.4 percent impurities ; but, as above remarked, these were bad ones. The quality of the 1909 goods, so far as may be judged by the limited number of samples inspected, was somewhat inferior to that of the two preceding years. Considerable ergotized seed was ob- served, however, in 1908, although the average seed under survey that year showed higher purity than did that sold in either of the other years. An ergotized seed is undesirable but it is not a serious menace. The fruiting bodies of ergot grow in nearly all fields and their relative amount and vigor are largely dependant upon meteorological conditions. Hence the use of an ergotized seed does not create but simply augments the danger. One lot (No. 118) contained a few seed of field dodder, a most objec- tionable weed rarely found in timothy but all too common in clover and alfalfa. Timothy seed is commonly marketed in good condition. The crop is usually grown in pure stand, seeds abundantly, and is readily harvested, cured, and cleansed. Hence it is easy to pro- duce a high grade seed at a low price; yet farmers and dealers alike seem to be watching the quality of timothy seed more care- fully than that of any other crop. This is doubtless due in part to its very general use. It is not suggested that less vigilance be employed in this respect, but that more care be exercised in the purchase of clover seed. Timothy seed carries few weed seeds. This is a matter of common knowledge and is abundantly borne out in the results reported herewith. Only 26 species of weed seeds were iden- 218 Bulletin 146 TESTS OF TIMOTHY SEED NOXIOUS SEED (Hundreds) a d a 0 afo 5 a 3 a ft (0 03 tJ ag a-a — a 0) 9 ag d 03 "a D d 0 3 a§ 0) 0) d i- 013 a ° d =^ m Oh t< z, K 0 03 fa 0 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 15 18 21 30 33 35 37 44 47 48 52 60 62 77 78 89 93 96 98 100 99.3 99.6 94.8 99.8 99.9 99.1 99.8 99.3 99.5 99.6 99.8 99.3 99.3 99.8 99.1 99.8 99.6 98.6 99.3 99.8 99.4 98.9 99.8 98.6 99.7 98.6 99.5 0.2 0.2 3.1 0.1 o.'e 0.1 0.2 0.3 6.1 0.4 0.4 0.1 0.6 0.1 0.2 0.6 0.2 6.2 0.7 6.6 0.1 1.1 0.3 0.5 0.2 2.1 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.5 0.2 0.4 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.8 0.5 0.2 0.4 0.4 0.2 0.8 0.2 0.3 0.2 16 13 2 2 2 6 16 2 9 29 2 4 2 19 26 6 12 130 1034 2 4 2 20 52 4 4 14 8 17 6 40 30 11 47 4 12 43 45 4 25 2 56 7 60 2 4 16 16 2 2 7 18 2 68 13 2 2 Note. The numbers of seeds as shown in the table are expressed as hundreds, omitting the tens and units ; thus, for example, the number 16 under the caption red stemmed plantain means that there were present in a pound of the seed under examination sixteen hundred (1600) seed of this particular weed. Grass and Clove.r Seed Trade in Vermont 219 TESTS OP TIMOTHY SEED NOXIOUS SEED (Hundreds) HARMLESS SEED (Hundreds) 2 3 ■« iJ Ph H ^ m -a a a 3 s- 4) p m 3 aj o 30! S o d 3 a 3 o -a 0) aj3 ^^ ja"" ■a tea ^ Ol o!i,a ^a 1-1 Hi H m m <5 « ^ !? K 14 7h , , 2b,4i* 4 38 * 7 2 4 * 9 18 2k 9 21 2 9 4 21 2 7 13 2in* 4f, 2i 7 7 2 18 29 2 '2 7i,4e,2d,9n ,2o 43 137 22 . 67 2n 22 2 4 4 ,2a 2o 27 Grade marks — E excellent, G good, F fair, P poor. *Inert matter contains ergotized seed: tCanada blue grass; a, Docks; 1), Chickweed: c, Spring amaranth; d. Healall ; e. Crabgrass ; f. Dog fennel; g. Canada thistle ; h, Mullein ; 1, Vervain ; k. Field dodder ; 1, Ribgrass ; m, Hedge mustard ; n, Lady's thumb ; o, Green foxtail. 222 Bulletin 146 TESTS OF RED CLOVER SEED NOXIOUS SEED (Hundreds) 4) .■a u. •a"2 a ■3 a CO CO to oj u J3 a a 0. 0) -a 0) ■M ag m-d IB .a 11 '3 4-" M 03 0 a 0) 01 :^ 0 0 Fh 5-S O) csi D » CO 0 (1) 0 0 0 <4-l Be a OS S ft 0 s 3a d M a +J j_i X3 n OJ a> 1^ ■^a t-. 0) ^ •a 0) ho 0 a -O a "a! £ S ^ ffi 0 0 2 e! V2 5?; ^ 0 M 0 kH 2 11 13 16 17 20 22 32 34 36 39 40 42 43 46 50 51 76 79 81 88 90 91 92 95 97 107 99.0 91.5 96.3 99.1 99.0 99.2 99.2 99.2 87.4 88.4 58.2 75.0 63.2 75.3 91.2 86.1 86.8 96.5 97.8 98.8 97.4 99.0 97.0 97.5 90.9 96.1 84.0 0.4 0.6 5.1 3.4 2.4 1.3 0.1 0.8 0.4 0.6 0.2 0.6 0.2 0.6 0.3 0.5 4.6 8.0 5.5 6.1 28.9 12.9 15.0 10.0 19.9 16.9 18.0 6.7 5.5 3.3 5.0 8.9 6.6 6.6 1.6 1.9 0.7 1.5 0.4 0.8 1.3 1.3 0.5 0.5 0.5 2.5 0.4 2.1 6.5 2.6 1.3 2.6 12.8 3.2 4 104 14 1 17 3 5 10 157 152 496 347 364 191 73 87 63 42 8 7 51 11 14 9 198 48 349 19 353 99 1 47 6 1 1 153 184 1602 527 989 1225 382 223 171 53 44 2 17 1 3 3 187 20 558 3 1 3 5 35 38 P 215 P 137 89 24 2 48 6 1 1 1 3 3 36 23 27 20 14 34 16 39 23 38 14 16 2 9 15 .. 1 36 1 9 10 1 8 3 10 8 22 74 24 64 10 19 38 9 66 26 33 20 11 32 3 1 2 4 8 2 .. 3 10 7 2 20 17 1 4 7 9 7 5 5 15 34 5 17 36 1 50 9 P 125 1 .. 24 22 17 2 32 14 1 9 14 4 4 .. .. 1 5 13 39 20 7 13 Grade marks — B excellent, G good, P fair, P poor. Note. The numbers of seeds as shown in the table are expressed as hundreds, omitting the tens and units ; thus, for example, the number 16 under the caption red stemmed plantain means that there were present in a pound of the seed under examination sixteen hundred (1600) seed of this particular weed. The inert matter was quite commonly made up of dirt, chaff, sticks, straw, etc. In the cases cited below more or less seed was found in the con- ditions indicated. • Wormy and broken 11, 12, 126, 127, 128 Large, broken 16, 20. 79. 80, 81. 88. 91, 92, 95, 97, 10.3. 107, 108. 109, 115, 130, 141, 143, 144, 199, 202, 208, 212. 213 Flat, immature 34, 39 Broken, immature 51, 94, 159, 195 Shrivelled, shrunken 36, 45, 46, 49, 135, 188. 214, 218 Shrunken and sprouted 99 Dried up 43 Ergotized 116, 145, 206 "Poor" 40, 42, 50 Grass and Ci.over Seed Trade in Vermont 223 TESTS OF RED CLOVER SEED >-oxious SEED (Hundreds) HARMLESS SEED (Hundreds a a*^ a "2 £1 a o O o3 » ft m O 3 a o 0) 03 3 O OJ JS m ■a br 4-) a o a m a a "5 & CO m i M s m Ml 03 a 0) o p "S 0) (1) o "33 M o Q a el 0) 0) a 'S o a a CD M < s M 4 58A,1B 4 IC 13 4 2 . 13 99 241 . 38 24 3G 1 1 3 24 20 1 6 .. 2 1 . . 1 .. 4 5 9 1 1 .. 1 1 .. . . ID .. 2E 43 35 30 79 It .. 2 50 97 2% 5 20 1 1 10 5 .. 36 .. 19 .. 3 .. 1 .. (I) .. (II) 772 136 118 700 8*4t 37 356 .. 12 4 1 5 25 .. 1 1 . . (Ill) 361 85 540 3* 8 18 3 1 .. 17 1 .. 5 .. 5I,1J,1K 425 194 606 .. 5 2 .. 1 . . 3R,2F,1S 127 .. IJ 78 128 126 It 2 5 34 110 It 1 1 IT 1 3U,1V 1 IJ 28 17 1 34 106 2tl1: .. 53 .. 3 24 .. 1 .. 1 .. 2W 4 1 .. 13 .. 10 .. .. 2A,2X .. .. 3t .. lY .. .. 3t51I ■• 6 7 1 5 .. i 3 1 .. (IV) . . 2f,lW 53 37 90 2t 14 8 11 5 6 3 1 7 3 3 1 .. .. (V) ♦German millet. tRed top. jAlfalfa. i;Meadow fescue. §Canada blue grass. A, Sweet clover ; B, Goat's rue ; C, Bracted plantain ; D, Bitter sweet ; E. Low amaranth; F, Canada thistle; G, Chickweed ; H, Black mustard; I, Arrowhead tear- thumb ; J, Catnip ; K. Vervain ; L. Smartweed ; M, Wild buckwheat ; N. Dotted smart- weed ; O. Spring amaranth ; P, Quack grass ; Q, Centaurea sp. ; R, Three-seeded mer- cury ; S, Nettle ; T, Suckling clover : U, Chicory ; V, Wild carrot ; W, German knot- grass ; X, Scentless camomile ; Y. False flax ; Z, Prairie ribroot. I* a, S'ender paspalum ; b, Pennyroyal ; c. Barn-yard grass ; d. Mint ; e. Nightshade ; ,f, Bitter dock ; g, Bladder ketmia ; h, Bur clover ; i. Polygonum sp. ; j. Shepard's 'purse; k, Ox-eye daisy; 1. Sprouting crab grass: m. Ground cherry: n. Field bind weed ; o. Bull thistle : p, Pennycress ; q. Coral berry ; r, sedge ; s, Hedge mustard ; t. Balm; u, Bromegrass ; v, Purslane; w, Evening primrose; x. Yellow rocket; y. White top. 39 (I) 4F, 3L, 3E, 1G. 1A ; 40 (II) 3E, 2M, IN, 10. IP; 42 (III) 3E. 2L. IQ, IK, IJ, 10, IB; 0.5 (IV) 5Z. 5a, 2b, 2C, 2c, 2d. IW. le ; 107 (V) 5Z, 4F, 3c, IG, le, la, Ig, IW, IN, Ir; 109 (VI) 4h. 2W, 2a, IZ : 126 (VII) 71. 5W, 4C, 3m, IR. In; 127 (VIII) 91, 7W, 5C, 3o. 3c, Ip, In. IN, Iq, Ih. 224 Bulletin 146 TESTS OF RED CLOVER SEED NOXIOUS SEED (Hundreds) a 0) P< "So "^ 3 3 a o a a ^ o o tf Cc! .J 108 109 116 126 127 130 135 159 188 195 199 202 208 212 213 214 1 12 14 19 38 45 49 53 94 99 101 128 97.6 97.1 94.0 85.2 83.5 83.4 98.3 98.7 99.0 99.0 99.3 94.8 99.5 99.5 99.5 97.8 Alsike. 0.3 1.8 4.1 11.8 11.9 11.8 0.2 0.4 0.2 0.3 3.3 0.1 1.4 93.0 89.7 96.2 98.9 6.36 97.1 91.0 71.2 85.5 85.7 99.3 78.2 4.0 8.5 1.9 0.6 19.0 1.0 6.4 22.9 13.5 12.6 0.2 18.5 2.1 1.1 1.9 3.0 4.6 4.8 1.5 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.7 1.9 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.8 3.0 1.8 1.9 0.5 17.4 2.5 2.6 5.9 1.0 1.7 0.5 2.3 12 94 85 5 241 312 559 249 516 248 397 9 7 21 1 4 2 86 169 1 1 1 2 52 4 10 9 1 38 2 521 149 813 32 157 7 42 140 1728 4 40 565 116 2100 75 1498 199 1047 4 10 127 2700 E 3 F 51 P 16 99 1 8 1 3 3 .. 6 .. 7 23 P 103 32 20 P 138 29 9 11 8 9 11 5 27 14 34 4 23 1 11 5 14 7 4 21 7 22 G 12 9 13 2 103 23 70 16 13 18 91 41 52 1 5 "4 56 13 9 27 140 187 194 200 201 217 93.4 95.6 93.7 99.0 98.4 97.8 4.1 2.1 4.6 0.6 1.2 1.5 2.5 2.3 1.7 0.4 0.4 0.7 105 69 40 2 9 2 327 147 496 61 83 159 83 65 9 2 27 Grade marks — E excellent, G good, F fair, P poor. Note. The numbers of seeds as shown in the table are expressed as hundreds, omitting the tens and units ; thus, for example, the number 16 under the caption red stemmed plantain means that there were present in a pound of the seed under examination sixteen hundred (1600) seed of this particular weed. TESTS OF RED CLOVER SEED NOXIOUS SEKD (Hundreds) HARMLESS SEED (Hundreds) d 03 a .-:: oj o G Qj oj .73 a a ■H be o 73 .9 '3 a •c hi to p 0) "3 o CO s ft o o a o "S fcc a a> O p a> Q Ci 6 jv< >^ Q Oh dl OS E W M a> O > o O o ^' o K ^ a < pi H 1 4h,li 5 .. .. 2 1 2 .. (VI) 5 1 lW,lj,lk 15 9 12 14 7 1 2 ? .. 1 1 1 .. 1 .. (VII) 14 9 6 S 4 2 24442.... 21 (VIII) 9 9.. 2 9H,4i 2 2 Ic 5 39 89 113 83 184 292 67 160 289 88 16 286 4 1 2 4 1 9 2 7 7t 2 3 1 IV IV 19 1 40 110 3s,lV 7 16 4 4 9G,2t 5 Red 4 23 9 1 20 13 16 13 13 4 32 2 7 43 If 2F 2F 2 . . 7 2r,2s,2u 18 27G,4r 2 11 2 7 27 27 472 18t ..790 .. . . 148 . . 13 29 159 241 131 18t .. 4 .. .. 9 250 295 lit 55 788 1257 .. 114231060 4t 59 329 650 9t 2 4 4 .. 20v,7r,2w 16 263 2358 63t 2t 16x,2y 34 61 158 72§ 11102 34 .. 11 83 402 .. ..41 20 .. 13 38 32 .. 4133 20 2t ♦German millet. tRed top. JAlfalfa. ' Mea'low fescue. R'anada blue grass. A, Sweet clover ; B. Goat's rue ; C, Bracted plantain ; D, Bitter sweet ; E, Low amaranth ; P. Canada thistle ; G, Chickweed : H. Black mustard ; I, Arrowhead tear- thumb ; J, Catnip ; K. Vervain ; L, Smartweed : M, Wild buckwheat ; N, Dotted smart- weed ; O, Spring amaranth : P. Quack grass : Q, Centaurea sp. ; R. Three-seeded mer- cury ; S," Nettle : T, Suckling clover ; IJ, Chicory : V, Wild carrot ; W, German knot- grass ; X, Scentless camomile ; Y. False flax ; Z, Prairie ribroot. a, Slender paspalum : b, Pennyroyal; c, Barn-yard grass; d. Mint: e. Nightshade: f. Bitter dock ; g. Bladder ketmia ; h. Bur clover : i, Polygonum sp. ; j. Shepard's purse : k, Ox-oye daisy : 1, Sprouting crab grass ; m, ground cherry ; n. Field bond weed ; o, Bull thistle ; p, Pennycress ; q. Coral berry ; r, sedge : s, Hedge mustard ; t. Balm; u. Bromegrass ; v, Purslane; w, Evening primrose: x. Yellow rocket; y. White top. 226 Bulletin 146 tests of miscellaneous seeds +^ a 0 0) 0. . to -a 'O'O a "O OJ -a jH CU !- 0) ^ , > o pd O o o X s -a CO H tf < ^ Green foxtail or barn grass.. {Setaria viridis) Rib grass {Plantago lanceolata) Red-stem plantain {Plantago rugalii) Sheep or field sorrel {Rumex acetrocella) Night flowering catchfly or sticky cockle {Silene noctiflora) Lambs' quarters or i>igweed. . (Chenopodium album) Old witch grass {Panicum capillare) Slender crab grass (Syntherisma filiforme) Curled dock {Rumex crispus) Yellow foxtail or pigeon grass. (Seiorio glauca) Lady's thumb or heartsease. . (PoZr/fifonttm persicaria) Dog fennel or May weed {Anthemis cotula) Common plantain {Plantago major) Crab grass {Syntherisma sanguinalis) Kale or charlock {Brassica arvensis) Yellow trefoil or black medie. {Medicago lupulina) Spiny sida {Sida spinosa) Docks sp {Rumex sp.) Panicum sp Peppergrass {Lepidium virginicum, L. apetalum) Ragweed {Ambrosia artemisiae- folia) Five finger or cinquefoil {Potentilla monspeliensis) Spurge {Euphorbia nutans) Common pigweed {Amaranthus retroflexus) Healall {Prunella vulgaris) Yellow daisy or black-eyed Susan {Rudbeckia hirta) Sedge or swale grass {Carex sp.) Evening primrose {Onagra biennis) Chickweed {Alsine media) Spring amaranth {Amaranthus spinosus) Menzie's peppergrass {Lepidium menziesii) Canada thistle {Carduus arvensis) Blue vervain {Verbena hastata) Field dodder {Cuscuta arvensis) Hedge mustard {Sisymbrium officinale) Mullein {Verbascum sp.) Sweet clover {Melilotus alba) Goat's rue ( Tephrosia virginiana) Bracted plantain {Plantago aristata) Bittersweet {Solanum dulcamera) Low amaranth {Amaranthus blitoides) Black mustard {Brassica nigra) 23 16 11 16 4 2 4 2 6 2 2 2 84 60 58 49 40 49 40 45 47 35 33 28 23 21 21 16 14 30 11 11 18 16 18 29 12 67 6 29 .. 29 12 6 6 11 12 11 6 6 30 6 33 12 22 33 22 11 16 5 19 14 11 7 5 7 5 10 2 11 6 6 12 6 6 16 23 29 12 .. 23 22 12 6 6 6 .. 12 17 18 6 11 COMMON NAME ^ BOTANICAL NAME O a ^ ^ Arrowhead tear thumb .... Catnip Smartweed Wild buckwheat Dotted smartweed Quack grass or witch grass Centaurea sp Three-seeded mercury .... Nettle Sucking clover Chicory Wild carrot German knotgrass Scentless camomile False flax Prairie ribroot Slender papsalum Pennyroyal Barnyard grass Mint Nightshade Bitterdock Bladder ketmia Bur clover Polygonum sp Shepard's purse Oxeye daisy Sprouting crabgrass Ground cherry Field bindweed Bull thistle Pennycress Coral berry Balm Brome grass Purslain Yellow rocket White top Sage brush Yarrow Goldenrod Slender melilot Chess or cheat Large smartweed Mouse-ear chickweed Velvet grass Polygonum sagitattum) . . 2 Nepeta cataria) . . 10 Polygonum hydropiper) . . 5 Polygonum convulvulus) . . 2 Polygonum punctatum) . . 7 Agropyron repens) . . 2 2 Acalypha virginica) . . 5 Urtica sp.) . . 2 Melilotus offlcinalis) . . 2 Cichorium intyhus) . . 2 Daucus carota) . . 10 Schleranthus annuus) . . 19 Matricaria inodora) . . 2 Camelina sativa) . . 2 Plantago purslii) . . 7 Papsalum setaceum) . . 7 Hedeoma pulegioides) . . 2 Echinochloa crus-galli) . . 10 Mentha sp.) . . 2 Solanum nigrum) . . 5 Rumex obtusifolius) . . 2 Hibiscus triomum) . . 2 Medicago denticulata) . . 5 5 Bursa bursa-pastoris) . . 2 Chrysanthemum leucan- themum) . . 2 Panicum proliferum) . . 5 Physalis sp.) . . 2 Convulvulus arvensis) . . 5 Carduus lanceolatus) . . 2 Thlaspi arvense) . . 2 Symploricarpes orbiciOa- tus) Melissa officinalis) Bromus sp.) Portulaca oleracea) Barbarea vulgaris) Danthonia spicata) Artemisia biennis) Achilles millefolium) Solidago sp.) Melilotus gracilis) Bromus secalinus) Polygonum pennsylvani- cum) Cerastrium vulgatum) Holcus lannanus) Grass and CLOvEji Si:e;d Trade in Vermont 237 VERMONT'S WORST WEEDS IN I909 A circular letter was sent in the winter of 1908 to several farmers in various sections of the state asking for the names of the ten worst weeds in cultivated fields, in meadows and in per- manent pastures, these to be arranged in order of the damage done. A relatively small number replied, but they were located in widely different sections. The results were combined and com- puted. It is interesting to compare the results of this survey with the weed seed content of the commercial seed examinerl during these three years. The following table indicates the worst weeds in the cultivated areas as thus reported, the state- ments being expressed in terms of percentages. 1. Quack grass (witch grass) 89 2. Lamb's quarters (pigweed) 45 3. Kale 31 4. Rough pigweed 30 5. Hedge mustard 35 C. Sheep sorrel 32 7. Black bindweed 21 Ragweed 21 Every one of the 16 species designated by farmers as being Vermont's worst weeds in the cultivated areas occurs in the fore- going list of weed seeds found in grass and clover seed. Quack grass or witch grass, which leads the list, occurs less often among the grass and clover seeds than does any other one of the i6, doubtless because it matures seed very poorly and propagates al- most entirely by its persistent and aggressive rhizomes or under- ground stems. The worst weeds in old or permanent meadows were said to be: 1. Sensitive fern Ox-eye daisy 2. Tall buttercup 3. Quack grass or witch grass 4. Wild carrot 5. Sheep sorrel 6. Goldenrods. 8. Smartweed 17 9. Green foxtail 16 Curled dock 15 Canada thistle 17 10. Yellow foxtail 15 11. Purslane 14 12. Bitter dock 12 Barnyard grass 12 58 7. Orange hawkweed (paint- 58 brush) 21 41 8. Common plantain 20 32 9. Common milkweed 18 31 10. Curled dock 15 27 11. Canada thistle 14 22 ]2. Wild oat grass 12 238 BuixETiN 146 Nine out of the thirteen worst weeds in meadows were rep- resented in the grass and clover seed samples. A list of the worst pasture weeds shows only 2 out of 16 weeds whose seeds have been found in grass and clover seeds examined, these being the Canada and the bull thistles, the former appearing in the worst weed lists of both the tilled areas and the meadows. It would appear that commercial seed is an important factor as a carrier of weeds to cultivated areas and that its relation to the weed seed content of permanent meadows is at least a meas- urable factor. VERMONT'S WORST WEEDS IN 1872, 189I, AND 1898, COMPARED WITH THOSE OE I909 A Vermont weed list, doubtless the earliest made, was sub- mitted in 18I72 by Dr. Cyrus G. Pringle, now keeper of the uni- versity herbarium. This contained 129 species, 70 of which were held to be introduced from the old country. Most of the aggres- sive and prolific weeds of that day were included. During the last forty years the numbers of weeds and of weed species have doubt- less increased, owing to new channels of introduction, with western clover seed not the least important one. Prior to the civil war Vermont farmers raised their own clover seed. This practise had ceased, however, by the middle eighties. In 1886, Vermont grown clover seed was sold at $15 a bushel in competition with western seed at half that price. Economic considerations have forced a change in practise which has opened the door to the in- flux of western weeds. The Station made surveys of the weed situation in Vermont in 1891 and 1898. Forty replies to a circular letter touching this matter were received in 189 1 and about 200 in 1898. The follow- ing weeds appear in each list of the ten or a dozen worst weeds as reported in 1891, 1898, and 1909: Witch grass, white daisy, kale, orange hawkweed, plantains, wild carrot, docks. The fol- lowing occur in two of the three lists: Brakes, Canada thistle, Grass and Clover Seed Trade in Vermont 239 goldenrod, rag^weed, sorrel. The entire twelve appear in the Pring-le list of 1872. That these weeds are pestiferous is well understood. Of more importance is the relationship of the new comers. The bulk of the weed seed contents of commercial seeds consists of well established sorts, yet such commercial seed is the natural channel for the introduction of those less well known. Only one weed is entered in the 1891 list of ten worst weeds, and but two in that of 1898 of the dozen worst weeds, which did not appear in the list previously made by Dr. Pringle, or reported in this bul- letin. But among the 16 worst tillage weeds reported in 1909 appear no less than nine which are not found in the lists of 1891 and 1898 ; three of which moreover are not even mentioned in the long list of 28 other weeds reported in 1898 as less troublesome than the initial 12 of ill repute. Three of this year's meadow list also have not been hitherto looked upon as serious. While it is freely admitted that the present list is less representative than are the previous ones, because of the small number of farmers reporting, the proportion of species not hitherto considered to be a menace is significant. In short, it is clear that new weeds are rapidly swelling the already long list of these pests, that they are becoming prominent candidates for mention among the most troublesome invaders of meadows and tillage fields, and that the commercial seeds and feeds are their main methods of inlet. THE ::nwER WEED INVADERS A few specific cases may be cited. Rib grass or lance-leafed plantain was mentioned in the 1872 list as "appearing occasionally in dry fields." It was ranked sixth among the troublesome weeds in 1891, and was noted in the very complete survey of 1898 as among the ten worst weeds and as "becoming frequent in the hay fields, being introduced in clover seed." This particular seed occurred in two-thirds of the red and one-sixth of the alsike clover samples in the present survey, and in a few timothy and red top samples. 240 Bulletin 146 The 1872 list of 129 weeds did not mention yellow daisy or black-eyed Susan. In 1891, it stood twentieth in a list of 40 weeds reported from many sections of the state. It ranked eighth in 1898, although "doubtless reported more often that it deserved to be, owing to its conspicuousness in hay fields and its evident relationship to the old offender, the white daisy. It is a western plant introduced with western seeds." Its seeds were found in one-sixth of the timothy samples and in one red top sample in the present survey, but in none of the clover samples, although apparently sometimes found therein. Crab grass was found in one-fourth of the red clover samples and five finger in one-fourth each of the timothy and alsike clover samples and in two out of five red tops. It appears to be intro- duced in grass seed. Crab grass ranked low among the long lists of 1891 and 1898, and the five finger in that of 1898. Yellow trefoil is well understood to be an adulterant of red and alsike clover and of alfalfa seed, being imported from Europe principally for this purpose. It was found in one-fifth of the red and in two-fifths of the alsike clover samples. It has not yet been reported as a troublesome weed, being itself not objection- able in meadows and pastures, save that it usurps the place of the better clovers. Among the weeds not found in this survey, but becoming more common and troublesome, the seeds of which are thus in- troduced into Vermont, may be mentioned : Clover dodder (Cuscuta epithymum) first reported in Ver- mont in 1900; blue weed (Bchinum milgare) ; prickly lettuce (Lactuca scariola) ; hoary alyssum (Bcrteroa incana) 1895; tumble mustard {Sisymbrium altissimum) 1900; squirrel tail grass (Hordcum jubatiim) ; wormseed mustard (Brysinum chciranthoides) and (Petstemion laczngatus). The first five are most to be feared. Ball mustard (Neslia paniculata), particularly abundant and troublesome in the mid-western and Canadian grain fields, has not as yet been intro- duced but is likely any day to appear in western grain and com- mercial seed. ( 38^6 : '>? University of Connecticut Libraries