30 EXPEEIMENT STATION EECOED. 



The influence of varying proportions of calcium and magnesium on the 

 development of plants, L. Beunardini and G. Corso (Ann. R. Sciiola Sup. Agr. 

 Portici, 2. scr., 7 (IdOli). pp. 16). — A study was made of the effect of varying 

 the proportion between lime and magnesia on a considerable number of plants. 



The conclusions of Loew and various Japanese investigators are confirmed. 

 It was found that for the development of cereals, such as wheat, rye, oats, rice, 

 and barley, a proportion of 1:1 gives the best results ; for maize, onions, 

 spinach, flax, and cabbage, 1:2; and for Leguminosfe, 1:3. 



The amounts of calcium and magnesium in plant seeds, B. Schulze and 

 C. GoDET (Ztschr. Physiol. Chem., 5S (1908), No. 2, pp. 156-161; abs. in Jour. 

 Cliein. Hoc. [London]. HG ( 19011). No. 555, II, p. S3). — The authors report analy- 

 ses of the husks and Icernels of various seeds, among them pine, lupine, pump- 

 kin, castor bean, sunflower, and several nuts. They find that in general the 

 husks contain relatively more calcium than magnesium, while the kernels are 

 richer in magnesium than in calcium. 



The calcium and magnesium content of certain seed, R. Willstatteb 

 (Ztschr. Physiol. Chew., 5S (1909), No. 5, pp. //3S, //3.9).— A report is given on 

 analyses made of the seed of a number of varieties of wheat, barley, oats, maize, 

 rice, and buckwheat, showing the relative proportion of magnesium and calcium 

 oxid in the flour and bran. In every instance it appears that the magnesium 

 content was considerably higher than the lime content. 



The stimulating effect of phosphoric acid on the growth of plants, H. 

 KtJHL (Bot. Zty., 2. Abt., 61 (1909). No. .3. pp. 3.^-36).— Experiments are briefly 

 reported in which the presence of potassium phosphate in culture solutions 

 stimulated the production and development of colonies of soil organisms and 

 hastened the germination of i»ine seed when placed between moistened cotton 

 batting. The addition of phosphoric acid to cultures of Aspergillus, however, 

 did not increase the rate of growth nor the total amount. 



The chlorin content of leaves of plants, A. J. J. Vandevelde (BuJ. Sac. 

 Chim. Belg., 23 (1909), No. 2, pp. S//-SS).— The author states -that in general 

 the ash of leaves increases with the age of the leaves, although there are some 

 undoubted exceptions to this. He has made a study of a large number of 

 species and reports the chlorin content in different periods of growth. With 

 linden, syringa, privet, horse-chestnur, grapes, and ampelopsis the chlorin con- 

 tent increased regularly from May to September. With elder, hazel, and wil- 

 lows the content was greatest in September and least in July. With peach, 

 plum, and species of Ribes and Rubus the chlorin reached its maximum content 

 in July, with a minimum in May. In the leaves of Carpinus the maximum was 

 found in July, with a minimum in September, and in oak, apple, holly, rhodo- 

 dendron, and ivy leaAes the chlorin content decreased regularly from May to 

 September. In the case of the leaves of Pavia, chestnut, maple, Symphori- 

 carpus. birch, deutzia, and some others the maximum content was in May, with 

 a minimum in July, again increasing in September. 



The occurrence of betain in plants, J. Urban (B1. ZuckcnUhenhau, 16 

 (1909). No. 4, pp. 51-53). — An account is given of botanical and chemical in- 

 vestigations on about a dozen families of plants to determine the presence of 

 betain. It was found to be present in all the species of Amarantacefe and 

 Chenopodiacese examined and absent in the species of Polygonum, Phytolacca, 

 Aristoloehia, Eljeagnus, Cichorium, Avena, Pisum, and others. 



The nutritive effect of amids on the germinating seed, the detached 

 embryo, and the green plant, J. Lef6vre (Compt. Rend. Acad. .S'c/. [Paris], 

 HI (190S), No. 20, pp. 935-937; abs. in Jour. Chem. Soc. [London], 96 (1909), 

 No. 555, II, pp. 83, 8Ji). — Studies were made of the germinating seed, detached 

 embryos, and green plant of maize and pine to determine whether thev can 



