320 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



was 7 ft. in the case of the cowpea, and the deepest penetration was 

 C ft. in the case of one of the varieties of corn. 



The authors have conducted an experiment to ascertain the effect of 

 different depths of planting on the development and secondary roots 

 of corn. The corn was planted in pots i, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 in. below 

 the surface. After the plants had grown for 30 days all were taken 

 from the pots and examined, and it was found that the first whorl of 

 secondary roots originated approximately at the same distance beneath 

 the surface of the soil in all cases. The effect of deep and shallow 

 cultivation on the position and development of corn roots was inves- 

 tigated, and it was found that there was but little difference in the 

 depth to which the roots penetrated. ^Nearly all the plants examined 

 for depth of root development sent their roots down 4 or more feet. 

 The lateral spread of the roots was found to be influenced very materi- 

 ally by the depth of cultivation and method of planting. 



The effect of subsoiling on root development of corn was investigated 

 in a limited way. Plants grown on subsoiled plats showed a somewhat 

 greater penetration than those on plats not subsoiled. 



The authors, from the work done, do not feel justified in drawing any 

 general conclusions, and merely make a record of the facts as observed 

 and express the hope that the work may serve to induce others to 

 investigate the root development of plants. 



Report of the botanical department, II. L. Bolley (North Dakota Sta. Bpt. 1S97, 

 pp. 27-29). — The author briefly reviews the work of his department, stating that 

 the investigations have been confined largely to the principles of culture of Held 

 crops and the study of diseases of crops. Some attention has been given to the native 

 plants, and a considerable addition to the herbarium is reported. Bacteriological 

 investigations have occupied a portion of the author's time. 



Culture tests of Tricholoma nudum, J. Costantin and L. Matruchot (Compt. 

 Mend. Acad. Sci. Paris, 126 (1898), No. 11, pp. 853-856). 



On impregnating the -woody fiber of living trees with coloring solutions, I. 

 Siieviryev (Trudi Imp. St. Petersburg Obstchestva Yestyestvoispitatyelyei, 25 ; abs. in 

 Selslc. Khoz. i Lyesov., 185 {1897), p. 240). — Among other things the author notes the 

 importance of finding a substance which can be introduced into living plants in 

 sufficient quantity to destroy parasites without injuring the plants. A method was 

 discovered by which desired quantities of solutions could be introduced into the 

 roots without injuring the plants, but to find a substance which will destroy para- 

 sites when so introduced will require further investigation. — p. fireman. 



An investigation concerning the assimilation of free nitrogen by algae, P. 

 KOSSOVICH (Trudi Imp. St. Petersburg Obstchestva Yestyestvoispitatyelyei, 26; abs. in 

 Selsk. Khoz. i Lyesov., 186 (1897), pp. 237, 238).— The author concludes that the lower 

 alga 1 can not assimilate free nitrogen and that the observed increase in the nitrogen 

 content of the soil covered with alga' and nonchlorophyl-bearing organisms is due 

 to some of the latter.— p. fireman. 



Concerning the influence of formic aldehyde on germination, W. Kinzel (Ztschr. 

 Spiritusind., 21 (189S), No. 26, p. 233). 



Origin and structure of lenticels, H. Devaux (Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci. Pat-is, 126 

 (1898), No. 20, pp. 1432-1435). 



A contribution to the biology of flowers, P. Knuth (Bot. Centbl., 75 (1898), No. 

 6-7. pp. 161-163). 



