26 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



from normal. The color, size, form, and structure of the leaves were greatly 

 modified by the different carbohydrates, and in some cases the changes were in 

 proportion to the strength of the solutions. Saccharose intensified the. colora- 

 tion, reduced the size of the leaves, and modified their contour. Glucose reduced 

 the size of the leaves, their margins were more deeply dentated, and very impor- 

 tant changes were noted in their structure, especially in the palisade tissues. 

 Mannite and glycerin modified the leaves so greatly as to indicate an injurious 

 action. 



Tlie growth of chlorophyll bearing plants in amids in the absence of 

 carbon dioxid, .1. Lefevre (Conipt. Rend. Acad. Hci. [Paris], l-)! (W05). Nos. 

 i', PI). 211-213; 17, PI). 66.',, 665 ; 2J,, pp. 103o, ltl36).— An account is given of experi- 

 ments with common garden cress, nasturtiums, and sweet basil grown in artifi- 

 cial soils to which various media were added, but with the entire exclusion of 

 carbon dioxid. The seedlings were placed in pots filled with crushed silica that 

 had been washed with acid and incinerated, sterilized artificial moss being mixed 

 with it to give proper consistency. To each 350 gm. of the artifleial soil there 

 were added 0.1 gm. each of tyrosin, oxamid, and leucin, and 0.4 gm. of glycocoll 

 and alanin. The plants were placed under bell jars and kept free from carbon 

 dioxid by i)assing all air through Schloesing baryta tubes. Numerous cheek 

 pots were maintained, and the results in all cases were analogous. 



It was found under the conditions of the experiments that the plants grew- in 

 the absence of carbon dioxid, increasing their height 5 to 10 times, with a cor- 

 responding increase in the number of leaves. ^Yhen both carbon- dioxid 'and 

 amids were excluded, no growth resulted and the plants speedily died. It is 

 claimed that the growth was due to actual nutrition of the plants and not to 

 artificial hydration. 



The results show that in the light, green plants are able to carry on synthesis 

 in the presence of amids and in the exclusion of carbon dioxid. This synthesis 

 is held to be a function of chlorophyll. 



On the water relations of the cocoanut palm, E. B. Copelj^nd ( Philippine 

 ■Jour. ,Sci., 1 (1906), No. 1, pp. 6-57, pis. 3). — An investigation was inaugurated 

 to determine, through a study of the iihysiology of the cocoanut palm, results 

 that would be available for improving existing methods of the cultivation of the 

 plant. The investigations are reported upon in the following order : The root, 

 its structure and growth, and the absorption of water; the leaf, its structure, 

 the activity of the stomata, and transpiration ; with final conclusions as tothe 

 fitness of the plant for its characteristic haltitat and suggestions as to its most 

 advantageous cultivation. 



Among the ])i-:ictical conclusions, the author states that a considerable supply 

 of water nuist constantly be at the disposal of the tree, or it will protect itself 

 against injurious desiccation by a partial suspense of its vitality. The quantity 

 of mineral food which the tree takes is roughly proportional to the amount of 

 water which it absorbs, and by increasing the plant's trans])iration the same 

 results are obtained as would follow the application of fertilizers to the ground. 

 The amount of transpiration can be increased either by increasing the amount 

 of water at the disposal of the roots or by improving the conditions foi- its 

 evaporation from the leaves. The transpiration of the cocoanut is accelerated 

 by the action of the wind, and to a still greater extent by increase of illumina- 

 tion. In planting the trees the liuthor doubts whether any increase beyond 15 

 meters' distance between trees would be advantageous. In his opinion, iinder 

 ordinary conditions trees in a grove usually do best when placed at intervals of 

 about !» iiH'ters. In order to secure increased yield, the author suggests better 

 cultural niclliods and improvement through the selection of the seed used in 

 planting. 





