BOTANY. 21 



rate of 50 mg. per 50 kg. of soil the stimulating effect on the cabbage was apparent, 

 but was not as great as when smaller quantities were used. 



The influence of a certain ratio between lime and magnesia on the growth 

 of the mulberry tree, K. Aso (Bui. Col. Agr., Tokyo Imp. Univ., 5 (1903), No. 4, 

 ]>]>. 495-499, pl.l). — Experiments are reported which seem to indicate that a normal 

 development of the mulberry tree depends to a considerable extent on the ratio of 

 lime and magnesia offered the roots. Pot experiments are reported in which the 

 relation between the lime ami magnesia varied from 1:3 to from 4:1 ; and the results 

 obtained seemed to indicate that the best ratio of lime to magnesia for mulberry 

 trees lies between 2 and 3 parts lime to 1 of magnesia. An excess of magnesia over 

 lime retards grow tli ; the leaves of the plants are small, but the symptoms of the 

 dwarfing disease are not noticeable. 



The influence of different ratios between lime and magnesia upon the 

 development of Phaseolus, (i. Daikuhara (Bui. Col. Agr., Tokyo Imp. Univ., 5 

 (1903), No. 4, pp. 501-503). — Experiments are reported in which varying quantities 

 of lime and magnesia were added to pots in which beans were grown, and based 

 upon the vigor of growth, height of steins, and size of leaves the best ratio, at least 

 before the fruiting stage of this plant, was 2 parts of lime to 1 of magnesia. 



The effect of boric acid in high dilution on plants, M. Nakamura (Bui. Col. 

 Ayr., Tokyo Imp. Univ., 5 (1903), No. 4, PP- 509-512, pi. 1). — It having been shown 

 by various authors that soils in certain districts contain small quantities of borates 

 and that the plants grown on such soils contain some boric acid, the author has 

 reported on the effect of borax on cultures of barley. It was found that 50 mg. of 

 borax per kilogram of soil acted injuriously on the development of the barley, and 

 that even when used in as small a quantity as 10 mg. per kilogram of soil it had an 

 injurious effect. When used at the rate of 1 mg. per kilogram of soil borax exerted 

 a stimulating action on peas, and 5 mg. had a similar effect on spinach. 



Can potassium ferrocyanid exert any stimulant action in the soil on plant 

 growth? S. Suzuki (Bui. Col. Ayr., Tokyo Imp. Univ., 5 (1903), No. 4, pp. 517,518).— 

 It having been shown that potassium ferrocyanid in dilute solution is decidedly 

 injurious to plants in water cultures, the author has investigated the presence'of this 

 chemical in soil as shown by the effect produced on barley. 



To 1 series of pots containing 10 kg. of soil 0.1 gm. potassium ferrocyanid was 

 added and to another 1 gm. Barley was sown in each pot and after a few weeks a 

 decided difference was noticed in favor of the pot receiving 1 gm. potassium ferro- 

 cyanid. The favorable action in this case is believed to have been due to the decom- 

 position of the potassium ferrocyanid by bacteria in the soil. For the present it is 

 undecided whether the potassium ferrocyanid acts directly as a stimulant or whether 

 its decomposition products are available as a source of nutrients for the plant. 



Influence of the carbon dioxid given off by the soils on plant growth, 

 E. Demoussy (Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci. Paris, 138 (1904), pp. 291-293; abs. in Chem. 

 Centbl.,1904, I, No. 11, p. 832). — Experiments with lettuce plants indicate that 

 growth was promoted by conditions favoring the evolution of carbon dioxid by the 

 soil. 



The ascent of water in trees, G. Macloskie (Science, n. ser.,20 (1904), No. 499, 

 pp. 116-118, figs. 2). — The author discusses some recent investigations on the ascent of 

 water in trees, and offers suggestions based upon well-known laws of physics that, 

 in his opinion, aid in the explanation of this phenomenon. 



The theory of functional capacity and its significance in agriculture, L. 

 Daniel (Trav. Sri. Univ. Rennes, 1 (1902), No. 3, pp. 415-481, figs. 10; 2 (1903), No. 

 2, pp. 73-272, ph. 20, figs. 81). — An elaborate review, with many citations from the 

 author's experimental work, and final broad generalizations are here given on the 

 relationship existing between the absorption of plants and the assimilation and 

 transpiration of the crude material absorbed. Plants which grow naturally are first 



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