386 ANNUAL EECORD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



INFLUENCE OF SPRING WATER ON MEADOW-GRASS. 



Beyer, in a series of experiments upon the influence of riv- 

 er and spring water upon meadow-grass, has come to the fol- 

 lowinof conclusions : 



1. That meadow-grasses can come to full development by 

 means of the food contained in river or spring water, as rep- 

 resented by Vincent. 



2. That during the first period of growth from such dilute 

 solutions, the food is devoted to the formation of roots, and 

 that only after a large root-surface has been formed can the 

 organs above the surface obtain sufficient nourishment to ar- 

 rive at maturity. 



3. That the quality of the water has a separate and distinct 

 influence on the total produce, and on the development of 

 different grasses in the same mixture of seeds. With river 

 water, Holcus lanatus became develoj^ed in the mixture of 

 grass-seed in a greatly preponderating proportion, whereas 

 with spring water few plants of Holcus lanatus developed ; 

 but the product of the mixed meadow-grasses was greater. 



4. That an apparentfy totally barren soil, with j) roper irri- 

 gation, can grow grasses for a short time. 



Among other experiments, Beyer tried an almost sterile 

 soil, from which the finer particles had been washed out. This 

 was kept moistened with distilled water. The seeds germi- 

 nated well, and were vigorous during the first two summers, 

 but refused to grow afterward. 21 A^ June 20, 1872, 518. 



EFFECT OF DIFFERENT MANURES ON THE PRODUCTION OF 



OPIUM. 



Experiments by Dr. Dietrich gave the following results : 

 The blue German poppy not only yields the largest amount 

 of opium, but also that richest in morphine. Opium from un- 

 manured land contains less than one half jDcr cent, of mor- 

 phine ; that from land manured with saltpeter had three to 

 four times this amount ; while that from land manured with 

 sulphate of ammonia contained thirteen times as much. The 

 application of potash and phosphoric acid, alone or mixed, 

 did not essentially increase the amount of morphine. He 

 concludes, therefore, that the ammonia of the atmosphere does 

 not afford sufficient nitroi^en for the formation of vegetable 



