622 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



parts of the plant; (2) is the gradual oxidation of the amido acids 

 observable! and (3) are the amido compounds, such as leucin and aspar- 

 agin, better sources of nitrogen for the protein in fruits and roots than 

 nitrates ? 



The experiments were conducted during September and October, 

 the leaves being collected at C a. m. and G p. m., after having been 

 exposed to approximately 12 hours of light or darkness. The total 

 nitrogen, albuminoid nitrogen, asparagin nitrogen, and starch were 

 determined. 



The conclusions of the author seem to indicate that reserve proteids 

 in the leaves are decomposed into amido compounds during the night 

 and they are quickly transported to other parts of the plant. This 

 important function of the leaves assists in facilitating the formation of 

 proteids in all parts of the plant. The amido compounds are con- 

 sidered better sources for protein formation than the nitrates, especially 

 in those organs of the plant which are poor in sugar and have little 

 respiratory energy. This function is especially important in plants of 

 rapid growth, as some of the legumes or in those developing large 

 storage organs, as potatoes, turnips, melons, etc. 



The amido compounds formed are either asparagin, which can be 

 formed synthetically from ammonium salts as well as the nitrates, or 

 they are decomposition products of proteids formed in the assimilation 

 of nitrates. 



On the behavior of active albumin as a reserve material during 

 winter and spring, U. Suzuki (Imp. Univ. Col. Ayr. [Tokyo] Bid., 

 vol. 3, No. 3, pp. 253-258). — The author examined the buds and bark of 

 48 species of trees and shrubs and found active albumin as a reserve 

 material in 25 of them. It was frequently found more abundant in the 

 bark than in the buds. In this respect it behaves like other reserve 

 materials. 



The details of the experiments are fully described. 



On the physiological action of neutral sodium sulphite on 

 phanerogams, K. Negami (Imp. Univ. Col. Ayr. [Tokyo] Bui, vol. 3, 

 No. 3, pp. 259-264). — The effect of neutral sodium sulphite on various 

 phanerogams was investigated. Solutions containing 1 per cent of neu- 

 tral sodium sulphate were freshly prepared and changed every 2 days, 

 since it oxidizes into sulphate very rapidly. Whole plants, branches, 

 leaves, and seeds were experimented with and the poisonous effect of 

 sodium sulphite upon developed plants was established. It seemed to 

 have no noxious effect on the germination of radish and barley seeds, 

 although the germination of soy beans was retarded to some extent. 



The poisonous action of ammonium salts on plants, S. Taka 

 batashi (Imp. Univ. Col. Ayr. [Tokyo] Bui., vol.3, No. 3, pp. 265-274). — 

 Experiments were conducted to test the effect of ammonium carbonate, 

 sulphate, and chlorid on plant growth, comparing them with sodium 

 carbonate and sulphate. A dozen or more kinds of plants were grown 

 in culture solutions containing varying amounts of the chemicals. The 



