624 EXPERIMENT STATION KECOBD. 



aetiou of sulphur as due to its absorption of tlie oxygen of the soil while leav- 

 ing the nitrogen free to be utilized by the nitrogen-Hxiug bacteria. 



Analyses of fertilizers, spring season, 1914, B. W. Kilgobe kt al. {Bui. 

 v. C. Dept. Agr., 35 (l'J14}, ^'o. 6, pp. 85). — This bulletin contains analyses and 

 valuations of fertilizers collected by the fertilizer inspectors of the state de- 

 partment of agriculture during the spring of 1914, as well as a list of brands 

 of fertilizers registered for sale during the spring season. 



Analyses of commercial fertilizers, P, H. Wessels et al. (Rhode Island 

 Hta. Insp. Bill., 1914, June, pp. 8). — This contains analyses and valuations of 

 samples of fertilizers, collected in the spring of 1914, which the manufacturers 

 designated as potato fertilizers. It also contains analyses and valuations of 

 bones, fish, and tankage collected during the season. 



AGRICULTTIRAI BOTANY. 



Comparative morphology of some Leguminosse, J. Is. Martin (Bot. Oaz., 

 58 (Wl.'f), No. 2, pp. lo-i-lGl, pis. 4). — A study was made of the development of 

 the embryo sac, embryo, and endosperm of Trifolium pratense, T. hybridum, T. 

 repens, Medicago sativa, and Vicia americcma. 



Among some of the contrasting features observed, the author found that the 

 number of ovules is always two in T. pratense, but more than two in the other 

 species. In Trifolium the embryo sac rapidly destroys the antipodal end of 

 the nucellus, and thus forms a long tubular sac. The embryo sac remains 

 vacuolate in Trifolium. while in Vicia and Medicago it is filled with cytoplasm. 

 In Trifolium and Vicia the starch appears in the micropylar end of the nucel- 

 lus and in the inner integument, while it fills the sac in Medicago. Sterility 

 was found most marked in T. pratense. 



A study of the germinating power of seeds, M. L. Darsie, Charlotte 

 Elliott, and G. J. Peirce [Bot. Gas., 58 (1914), No. 2, pp. 101-136, figs. 18).— 

 By means of silvered Dewar flasks, the use of which has been previously de- 

 scribed (E. S. II., 20, p. 734), the authors have made a study of the germination 

 of seed of corn, oats, wheat, clover, barley, and hemp of known age to deter- 

 mine the viability of the seed as influenced by age. 



It was found that with the different seetls the germinating power and vigor 

 of growth is indicated by determining the temperatures which they will develop 

 in Dewar flasks under conditions suitable for germination. Each species of 

 plant studied appears to have a normal temperature, departures from which 

 indicate departures from the best condition of the organism. Temperatures in 

 excess of normal indicate an infection of the seed, while subnormal tempera- 

 tures indicate lessened vigor. Decreased vigor was generally found due to 

 increased age. Departures from normal temperatures were found to be accom- 

 panied by differences in amount of growth immediately following germination, 

 and it is thought that possibly this might be true of the other stages in the 

 growth of the plant, although this was not investigated. 



A physiological study of the germination of Avena fatua, W. M. Atwood 

 (Bot. Gaz., 51 (1914), No. 5, pp. 386-414, figs. i3).— Results of studies testing 

 the relations of germination to water intake, wounding, oxygen access and 

 absorption, acidity, etc., are given. 



It is claimed that after-ripening of seed in wild oats occurs along with drying 

 of the seed, but independently of the water content and also of the seed coats 

 as controlling the entrance of water. Their removal, however, hastens germi- 

 nation, although this is independent of light. The delay in germination ia 

 attributed to a restriction of the oxygen supply, due to the seed coat, as shown 

 by the hastening effect of breaking or searing these coats, removal of the 



