158 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Grafting European vines on phylloxera-resistant stocks, M. Blunno (Agr. 

 Gaz. New South Wales, 15 {1904), No. 6, pp. 557 -572, figs. As').— An extensive review 

 of this subject. 



Tests of etherization for grapevines, F. Charmeux (Jardin, 18 (1904), No. 41", 

 pp. 188, IS'.), fig. /). — One-year-old grafted grapevines dug in part in the autumn 

 before freezing weather came and kept buried in a cellar, and in part in December 

 after there had hern freezing weather, were placed February 3 in 2 jars holding 12 

 liters each, sealed air-tight, and submitted to the fumes of 3.5 and 4 gm. of ether, 

 respectively, for 48 hours. The roots of the vines were covered with about 4 liters 

 of sand. 



The temperature during etherization was kept at 15° C. After etherization the 

 vines were forced in a house held at 20° in the daytime and about 17° at night. 

 Three days later the vines dug before freezing had their buds well swollen and nearly 

 open, while the others had apparently made no growth. At the end of 8 days the 

 early-dug vines were in full vegetation, while on the late-dug vines the buds were 

 just beginning to start. Some control vines that had not been etherized were still in 

 complete repose at this time and did not show signs of growth until about the twelfth 

 day. 



It was noticed in the experiment that different varieties and stocks were not all 

 affected alike by etherization, the degree of vegetation being much stronger in some 

 than in others on the same date. In some other experiments Chasselas, Rose, and 

 ( iamay-Teinturier-Freau were etherized with 3.5, 4, and 4.5 gm. of ether, respectively. 

 Ten days later the Gamay-Teinturier-Freau, etherized with 3.5 gm., had a good 

 appearance and appeared to be growing where the larger amounts were used. With' 

 the Chasselas and Rose, however, the growth with 3.5 gm. was practically nil for a 

 few days and then slowly caught up with the others. When 4 gm. were used all the 

 plants were weaker than the others, while with 4.5 gm. all the plants were com- 

 pletely destroyed. 



The effect of etherization on the forcing of plants, G. Bellair (Rev. Hori. 

 {Fans'], 76 (1904), No. 14,pp. 333-335). — This is an abstract of a paper presented by 

 M. Aymard at the Congres horticole in 1904. According to M. Aymard, success in 

 etherization depends upon the amount of ether employed, the duration of its action, 

 and the temperature during the operation. A study of these factors led to the fol- 

 lowing deductions: 



Anesthetics produce the same effect on vegetation as freezing or drought. Their 

 effects are in proportion to the temperature when used, but inversely proportional 

 to the amount of protection afforded the buds by the bud scales. The amount of 

 liquid used and the duration of action of the vapors are in proportion to this same 

 protection, but inversely proportional to the number of freezings the plants may have 

 received, and proportional to the time between when the operation is performed and 

 the time when the treated plant would vegetate naturally. 



Caution must be observed not to treat the plants at too high a temperature. At 

 25° C, with 35 gm. of ether per hectoliter of air space, the buds were blasted. At 

 24° the action of ether was also harmful. The best temperature was not determined , 

 but it is believed that it should not exceed 20°. M. Aymard believes that anesthet- 

 ics act on vegetable tissue as dehydrating agents. As proof of this he found that 

 roots of Lily of the Valley, placed under a bell jar with phosphoric anhydrid and 

 other drying liquids, forced even more quickly than when submitted to ether vapor. 

 It was found also that etherized plants lose considerable in weight. 



The anesthetic effect of chloroform is about 4 times as strong as ether, and, there- 

 fore, when this agent is used, only about \ the quantity should be taken. A good 

 combination was found to be 20 gm. of ether and 5 gm. of chloroform per hectoliter 

 of air saturated with vapor. The quantity used should he greatest early in the sea- 

 son and less toward the end of the season. Thus, at the beginning of the season 



