AGRICULTURAL BOTANY. 131 



Fertilizers in South Australia (Ar/r. Gaz. N. S. Wales, 20 (1909), No. 9, p. 

 806). — This is a brief note calling attention to the rapid extension of the use 

 of fertilizers in South Australia. The amount of fertilizers used has increased 

 from 3,000 tons on 60,000 acres in 1897 to 76,500 tons on 2,100,000 acres in 11)09. 



AGRICULTURAL BOTANY. 



The role and function of mineral salts in the life of the plant, X. T. Deleano 

 ([Trav.l In.it. Bot. Univ. Geneve, S. ser., 1908, Nos. 2, pp. 33, dgms. 13; 3, pp. 

 35-61, dgms. 9). — In a previous communication (E. S. R., 20, p. 27) the author 

 has shown the negative migration of mineral matter in annual plants. He has 

 continued and extended his observations to inchide biennial plants and the 

 leaves and fruits of perennials. 



In the biennial plant, which is represented by the carrot, there was a migra- 

 tion of mineral matter from the stem and leaves to the root toward the end of 

 the first year. There was little increase in the ash content of the root during 

 the second year, but a very decided one in the aerial portions of the plant, from 

 which pronounced negative migration took place later, the root in this case 

 acting somewhat as a regulator. 



A quantitative determination was made of the mineral and organic matter 

 in the leaves and fruits of Prunus insititia at various stages of development. 

 While the fruit is green the leaves and fruit are said to possess practically the 

 same composition, but as the fruit begins to ripen the leaves develop more 

 rapidly and the proportion of mineral salts that they contain is at the same 

 time increased. After the fruit has ripened the leaves continue to develop and 

 present a maximum content, which diminishes toward the end of their exist- 

 ence. At the end of the period of vegetation there is a decided decrease in 

 the dry weight, due in part to the translocation of starch, but also to the loss 

 of organic nitrogenous material, potash, and phosphoric acid. 



The transfer of calcium and magnesium ions from plant cells, B. Niklewski 

 (Ber. Deut. Bot. Gesell, 27 {1909), No. o, pp. 22J,-22~ ; ahs. in Jour. Chem. Soc. 

 [London], 96 (1909), \o. 562. II. pp. 69), 6.95). — A study was made of experi- 

 ments reported by Hansteen in which it was shown that wheat grown in water 

 cultures and supplied with calcium salts made normal growth, but that when 

 the cultures contained potassium, sodium, or magnesium salts alone, toxic 

 symptoms were observed. By the addition of a small quantity of calcium salt 

 the poisonous property seemed to be removed and the plant restored to normal 

 growth. 



The author believes that an explanation of this phenomenon is that there 

 was a moving out of calcium and magnesium ions from the cells into the cul- 

 ture solution and that the injurious effect was counterbalanced when the cal- 

 cium ions in the solution reached a certain concentration. 



The biology of chlorophylls, E. Stahl (Ziir Biologie des Chlorophylls. Jena, 

 1909, pp. V-{-15.'t, pl- 1, figs. 4). — Studies are given of chlorophyll in relation to 

 light, leaf colors, yellowing, and etiolation. In the various chapters the author 

 discusses the influence of atmosphere on the absorption of light by chlorophyll, 

 the relation between light absorption and carbon dioxid assimilation, the bio- 

 logical significance of chlorophyll absorption, the effect of light of different 

 colors on assimilation, regulatory apparatus of plants for light, biology of the 

 nongreen alg^e, autumn coloring of leaves, and the biological significance of 

 yellowing and etiolation. 



A study of chlorophyll bodies, J. d'Arbaumont {Ann. 8ci. Xat. Bot., 9. ser,, 

 9 {1909), No. 4-5, pp. 197-229) .—On the basis of a study of a large number of 

 Augiosperms and Gymnosperms the author divides chlorophyll bodies into two 



