44 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The preservation of cut flowers, L. Fourton niul V. Ducomet (Rev. Hnrt. 

 [Paris], 78 {1906), No. 11, pp. 260-262) .—The results are given of experiments 

 ii' preserving cut flowei's by adding to tlie water in which they are liept various 

 mineral and organic acids, bases, salts, antiseptics, etc. The flowers used were 

 violets (Viola odorata), Ficaria ranunculoides, Narcissus poeticus, iris (Iris 

 yermanica), stellaire (Stellaria holostea), Fumaria horei, Myosotis alpestrts, 

 asperula (Aspcnila odorata). marguerite, seringal (Philadelphits coronarins). 

 ^ilcnc prndiila. snapdragon (A)ifirrhi)nrni majiis). and prinn-osc. 



The various materials were used in concentrations varying from 5 to 1,000 

 gm. per hectoliter. The test showed that it was advisable to use mineral mate- 

 rials in solutions less (oncentrated than 100 gm. per hectoliter. A mixture of 

 mineral and organic materials did not give as good results as either alone. 

 The length of time which each of the different flowers mentioned above could 

 be kept by the various chemicals used is given in detail. 



The following materials have proved useful in prolonging the life of cut 

 flowers : Chloral, sugar, limewater, potash, etherized water, nitrate of potash, 

 kainit. sulphate of potash, phosphate of potash, phosphate of ammonia, clilovid 

 of calcium, glycerin, and alcohol. Mineral substances have been favorable in 

 very weak concentrations — 1 to 10,000 — and organic materials have given favor- 

 able results in concentrations of 1 to 10 per cent. One of the conditions which 

 has influenced the keeping quality of the flowers has been the distance of the 

 surface of the liipiid from the base of the flower. The keeping quality was 

 longest when this distance was least. Flowers keep as well when cut as when 

 left on the plant, providing water is supplied to the cut stems and putrid fer- 

 mentation is prevented. The work is to be continued. 



The effect of different chemical substances on the flowers of plants, J. C. 

 HoGENSON (Cornell CoinUri/niaii. 3 (1906), No. 8, pp. 188-190, fig. 1). — The effect 

 of iron filings, copper sulphate, sugar, lime, salt, potassium hydroxid, iron sul- 

 phate, alum, and many other substances on the color of flowers, when added to 

 the soil in which they were grown, was studied. So far as the experiment has 

 gone it shows that with quickly-growing plants like narcissus and lily-of-the- 

 valley no effect is noticeable. Azaleas and rhododendrons, which normally 

 grow on acid soils, were successfully grown on limestone soils when these soils 

 were made acid. This was conveniently done by adding magnesium sulphate, 

 '•which upon coming in contact witli iiHiistnre of tlie soil hydrolizes and forms 

 magnesium hydroxid and sulphuric acid. The magnesium is absorbed by the 

 soil and plant, thus setting the sulphuric acid free. This tends to neutralize 

 the lime by acidifying the soil. Pyrogallol, tannic acid, and hydrochloric acid 

 will also neutralize lime, l)ut care must be taken not to put in too much. The 

 results of this ex])eriment are (|uite satisfactory." 



Forcing bulbs by means of ether, ('. I. Lewis (Cor)irll ('oiintri/iiian. ,3 

 (1906), No. 8, pp. 190, 19U fin. 1).—X large number of varieties of bulbs, such 

 as narcissus, tulips, hyacinths, alliums, callas, gladiolus, lilies, etc., as well as 

 seeds, were subjected to fumes of ether, using an ounce of sulphuric acid for 

 every 14 gal. of space for a period of fi-om 24 to 72 hours. Smaller amounts of 

 ether were also used. With narcissus the gain in time of blooming from ether- 

 ization was from 2 days to 3 weeks. With Lilliiiiii loiiffifioriini var. miiltifiorum, 

 there was no gain in early bloom, but a decidedly taller growth. With a longer 

 exposure there was a considerable gain in time of blooming as well as in height. 



Etherized seeds, such as peas, beans, radish, melon, lettuce, and onion, germi- 

 nated sooner and more uniformly than unetherized seeds. 



Wild flowers worth cultivating, W. Mii.i.kr (Coinitri/ Life A»ier., 10 

 (1906), No. 3, pp. 322-321, fitjs. 15). — Six types ot wild gardens, including bog 



