THE AMERICAN BOTANIST. 123 



A Simple Method of Growing Algae. — It may interest 

 teachers who have no aquaria at hand to know of a very simple 

 and successful method of growing algae for class use. Glass 

 jars of almost any kind can be used although those with large 

 tops such as battery jars are more convenient. Even ordinary 

 fruit jars give good results. The jars are set on the window sill 

 and into them is put water containing algae. There should be 

 water enough to fill the jar from one half to three fourths full. 

 A piece of window glass of suitable size and shape is placed 

 over the top for a cover. In such aquaria algae grow rapidly 

 and need no care except the adding of a little water once or 

 twice a year. If in the fall a number of jars are filled with 

 water from various ponds and streams containing algae it is 

 not at all difficult to have growing in the school room all the 

 algae needed for the ordinary high school course. The growth 

 may be increased by adding, once in a few months a little of 

 Sachs' nutritive solution. This can be obtained in a conven- 

 ient tablet form known as "Plant Food" from Edward F. Bige- 

 low, Arcadia, Sound Beach, Conn. The best method of using 

 these seems to be to crush a number, say a dozen, and dissolve 

 them in about a quart of water. Add a few spoonfuls of this 

 strong solution to each jar. In the case of yellow-green algae 

 and Chara there seems also to be a decided advantage in having 

 a few of the little water snails in each jar. They are scaveng- 

 ers and tend to keep the water in good condition. By this 

 simple means within the reach of every teacher it is possible to 

 have a constant supply of such common algae as Chroococus, 

 Oscillatoria, Nostoc, Phormidiiini, Spirogyra, Cladophora, 

 Ulothrix, Oedogonium, Chara,, Dcsmids and Diatoms. — Elda 

 R. Walker. 



