14 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The peculiar role of magnesia and sulphates in plant growth, R. Dumont 

 {Prog.Agr. et Tit. {Ed. L' Est), '23 {1902), No. 10, pp. 292-297).— Xhriel general dis- 

 cussion of this snl)ject based on the work of various investigators. 



On the influence oi different ratios of lime and magnesia upon the develop- 

 ment of plants, K. Aso {Bui. Col. Agr. Imp. Univ. Toktjo, 4 {1902), No. 5, i)p. 

 361-370, pis. 7). — A series of experiments is described in which the unfavorable 

 effects of excesses of magnesia and lime are shown, and a ratio between the two for 

 the most favorable development of crops is indicated. Experiments were conducted 

 with barley, soy beans, and onions, in which the plants w^ere grown under labora- 

 tory conditions, the effect of different quantities of both lime and magnesia being 

 noted. In comparing the results it was found that with wheat, barley, and onions 

 the excess of lime over magnesia may be less than with soy beans. The neces- 

 sity for this difference is attributed to the greater leaf surface developed in the soy 

 beans, necessitating an increase in lime. It is claimed that some attention should be 

 paid to the proper ratio between lime and magnesia in the soils, especially in the 

 available forms of those elements; and for liming the soil it is necessary to know the 

 absolute quantity of lime present and also the ratio between the lime and magnesia. 

 The poisonous action of the magnesia in the absence of lime is shown, and the 

 influence of lime on the greater production of root hairs, and consequently of the 

 absorptive area of the root, is i)ointed out. 



To what extent should soil be limed ? T. Furuta ( Bnl. Col. Agr. Imp. Ihiv. 

 Tokyo, 4 {1902), No. 5, pp. 371-379). — A series of experiments was carried on in soil 

 mixtures in which the ratio of assimilable lime and magnesia was definitely fixed. 

 The plants used in the experiment were cabbage, l>uckwheat, and oats. The ratio of 

 lime to magnesia varied from 3 of lime to 1 of magnesia to 1 of lime to 2 of magnesia. 

 The growth of the plants in the different soils is shown, and the conclusion drawn 

 that the ratio of lime to magnesia for the best production of crops should be 3: 1, for 

 crops which have an abundant leaf production ; while for cereals a ratio of 1 : 1 gives 

 the best results. 



The lime content of phanerogamic parasites, K. Aso {Bnl. Col. Agr. Imp. 

 Uriiv. Tokyo, 4 {1902), No. 5, pp. 387-389). — On account of the few ash analyses that 

 have been reported of phanerogamic ]3arasites, the author has investigated the subject 

 and gives the results of analyses made of an orchid {Gastrodia elata). This jtlant, 

 while probably not a parasite, exhibits some of the characteristics of parasitic plants 

 in that there is little or no development of chlorophyll. 



The lime factor for different crops, O. Loew {Bid. Col. Agr. Imp. Univ. Tokyo, 4 

 {1902), No. 5, pip. 381-385). — The author reviews the papers of Aso and Furuta rela- 

 tive to the ratio between lime and magnesia required by plants, and conmients upon 

 their results. 



Are our native horsetails and ferns poisonous? L. R. Jones {Proc. Soc. Prom. 

 Agr. Sri. 1901, 2>p. 70-74)- — A brief resume is given of opinions relative to the poi- 

 sonous properties of species of Equisetum, and an account of what is l)elieved to be 

 undoubtedly Equisetum poisoning of horses. It appears probable that Equisetum 

 arvense often causes serious poisoning of horses in Vermont, and is fatal w^hen eaten 

 in considerable quantity. It is believed to be the cause of the sickness commonly 

 called blind staggers or stomach staggers, and is doubtless the cause of more loss to 

 stock owners in Vermont than any other poisonous plant. Conflicting evidence is 

 presented relating to its poisonous action in reference to sheep, and cattle are said to 

 feed upon it with impunity. Other species of Equisetum should be regarded as prob- 

 ably poisonous. The common belief seems to be that some of the ferns, particularly 

 the sensitive fern {(hwclea sensihilis), are poisonous to horses, but the evidence in 

 favor of this belief does not appear at all convincing. 



Germination of Basidiomycetous spores, ]Mak(;aret E. Ferguson {AJis. in Sci- 

 ence, n. ser., 15 {1902), No. 376, p. 407). — The investigations briefly outlmed were 



