Quite a number of queries reach the Botanical Section with reference to the quality of clover, alfalfa, alsike and timothy seeds.

The tests made show considerable variation. Many new seeds are being introduced with impure seed. The vitality in some cases is low.

There is great need that farmers should buy only seed which has been tested for germination and purity. If you want your seed tested without cost send small samples (2 ounces) to the Botanical Section of Iowa State College, Ames, Iowa.

Wild barley or squirrel tail grass is one of the most common weeds in Iowa. Not only does It interfere with the production of crops, but it Injures domestic animals, like horses; sheep and cattle. Moreover, It is one of the most common hosts of the common stem rust of wheat and if for no other reason than this, It should be exterminated.

Although it has been generally believed that corn is Jess subject to the attacks of fungus than any other agricultural crop, it is estimated that corn smut, corn rust and bacterial disease damage the crops in Iowa to the extent of $8,000,000 annually. In 1914 the attention of the Botanical section of the Iowa Agricultural Experiment Station was called to a new and important disease attacking corn which was later found to be wide spread in the state, working great damage.

The Botany Section receives many letters containing specimens of marsh cress with requests for information as to methods of dealing with the weed. This is especially the case in years when we have had a wet early spring. The persons sending the plants generally state that the weed is especially abundant in oats.

In such seasons, from the latter part of April to July 1, from 15 to 20 specimens arc received each week.

The Iowa weed law is violated in many parts of the state, partly because the farmers and some officers are unfamiliar with the law, and partly because they are not interested in the important question of weed control.

Greatly increased interest has been shown recently thruout Iowa in the recognition of weeds which are injurious to the farmer. The county weed demonstrations put on by the extension service of Iowa State College have been very helpful in extending the knowledge of the weeds of the state. It ls very important that new serious weeds be recognized promptly, and timely measures employed to prevent them from becoming a menace to agriculture. Thirty years ago the extermination of quack grass in the state might have been accomplished at the cost of a quarter of a million dollars; today, however, several millions of dollars would not be sufficient to remove the weed •

A study was made in 1928 of the weed flora in the vicinity of numerous elevators in Iowa. It was undertaken in order to determine to what extent elevators are a means of distributing weeds.

On October 5, 1912, C. F. Curtiss received from N. S. Ward of Hamburg, Iowa, a specimen of Johnson grass with the following letter: "Please send me names and value, If any, of sample weed. It grows up in my corn field after corn is laid by, as high as corn. Has heads 8 to 10 inches long. Seems to be getting worse each year. Neighbors say it's Johnson grass. Would It be good for bay or pasture?" The specimen sent was a specimen of Johnson grass. Mr. Ward was notified that the weed should be exterminated, as It might prove a very serious menace to the agricultural Interests In that section of the state.