MICHIGAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 147 



Water Used by Plants. 



1. Fill four one gallon jars to within one inch of the top with a well moistened soil. 



2. Number jars 1, 2, 3, and 4 and weigh afid record weights. 



3. Plant eight good plump kernels of oats, or four good kernels of com in each of the 

 jars 3 and 4. Place all jars where rain will not reach them. 



4. When plants are three inches high, thin the oats to six plants, or if com, to three 

 plants. Add sufficient water to bring each jar to its original weight. 



5. In one week, weigh again, record weights, estimate losses, and with jar on the scale, 

 add water sufficient to bring it up to its original weight. Note losses from jars with plants 

 as compared with losses from jars without plants. 



6. Repeat (5) for several weeks noting how, as the plants grow larger, larger quantities 

 of water are used. 



It will be necessary when the plants are well started, to add water oftener than once 

 per week to the jars having plants in them. 



7. Have pupils examine cultivated fields and observe, if possible, whether any difference 

 in appearance exists between the crops in well cultivated fields and those of poorer culti- 

 vated fields, keeping in mind this experiment and the one above. 



With a little effort, this scheme may be considerably enlarged. Experiments with field 

 soils and crops are entirely feasible. 



Agricultural Z!ollege, Michigan. 



