194 The Ottawa Naturalist. [January 



nitrogenous fertilizer induces an abnormal vegetative develop- 

 ment and this is taken advantage of by man where the vegetative 

 part of the plant is needed for some special purpose. The large 

 amount of nitrogenous plant food near the surface of the soil 

 in nature is, perhaps, an important factor in inducing vigorous 

 growth to the exclusion for a time of the fruiting tendencv. In 

 cultivating fruits it is important to have a good supply of 

 nitrogen in the soil wdien the trees are young in order that the 

 vegetative habit natural to young trees should be encouraged, 

 as to get good crops of fruit in the future there must be a good 

 sized tree to bear the fruit. 



There was considerable discussion on the views presented by 

 Mr. Macoun, which, in a few words were "that the production of 

 seed depended on the proportion of elaborated sap in the tree." 

 Dr. Jas. Fletcher did not think there was much in this theory, 

 and took the grouiid that it was maturity, or in cases of trees 

 producing seeds when they were in a weakened condition, an 

 endeavor on the part of the tree to reproduce its kind. 



Mr. R. B. Whyte thought that there was something in the 

 evidence given and said that he had noticed it was vigorous 

 plants Vv'hich produced the largest amount of seed eventually. 



Prof. Macoun was not prepared to make a definite statement 

 as to his views, for he confessed that the points brought up had 

 made him think there was something in Mr. Macoun's argument. 

 He had, in the past, believed that the fruiting of the tree was a 

 question of maturity, or an endeavor to perpetuate its kind, but 

 was willing to believe there was something in the theory his son 

 had advanced until it was disproved. 



After this discussion some time was devoted to "Mendel's 

 Law," Mr. Roy Cameron and Mr. A. E. Attwood taking part in 

 what was said on this most interesting subject. 



W. T. M. 



