224 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOED. 



to unfavorable growing conditions. When dormant woody plants are treated, 

 growth first begins in the buds, regardless of root connection. Latent buds on 

 old wood force with great irregularity. Ether is perhaps the most reliable rest 

 breaking agent yet employed. Species vary greatly as regards dosage required. 



The relative transpiration of white pine seedlings, G. P. Burns (Plant 

 World, IS (1915), No. 1, pp. 1-6). — This is a detailed account of a paper pre- 

 viously noted (E. S. R., 30, p. 726), in which the author concludes that the 

 differences in size and chemical composition of three groups of white pine 

 seedlings under no shade, half shade, and full shade, are to be sought along 

 the line of photosynthesis and assimilation rather than along the line of 

 absorption and transpiration. 



The visible effects of the Schumann rays on protoplasm, W. T. Bovie 

 {Bot. Gaz., 59 (1915), No. 2, pp. lJf9-153).—X brief account is given of the 

 violent visible effects of the Schumann rays (1,250 to 2,000 Angstrom units or 

 0.125 to 0.200 microns in wave length) on protoplasm. 



Vesicle formation and the bursting of spores are considered to point strongly 

 to changes in osmotic relations or in imbibition. These, it is thought, may be 

 connected with the fact pointed out previously (E. S. R., 29, p. 130) that the 

 longer ultraviolet light waves have the power to break down proteins. These 

 rays are thought to possess a similar power in greater degree. 



The later researches on anthocyan, P. Q. Keegan (Chem. News, 111 (1915), 

 No. 2882, pp. 87, 88). — The author reviews some recent publications in w^hich 

 different opinions are expressed regarding the origin of anthocyanin, and gives 

 a summary of his own conclusions regarding this matter, in which he states 

 that plants producing phloroglucol tannins yield original reds only. Those 

 plants producing caffetannin are said to yield original blues only. Plants 

 which produce gallotannin seem inclined to display vivid violets or warm pur- 

 plish blues, but never cold true blues. 



It is claimed that there is only one anthocyanin pigment in plants producing 

 caffetannin. The red appearing on stems or petals is here due to acid only. 

 Yellow flowers owe their color to carotin or its diffused oxidized product, 

 xanthophyll, and in rare instances to a flavone. White flower color often 

 incloses a very dilute solution of anthocyanin. He claims that Grafe's opinion 

 that a special chromogen of anthocyanin can not exist is incorrect so far as 

 the specific hereditary tendency of the protoplasm to form certain kinds of 

 tannin is concerned. 



Micro-organisms in silage, Emma B. Mundy (Musoiiri Sta. Bui. 131 (1915), 

 pp. Jf70, Jfll). — A study was made of Monascus purpiireus or red mold, which is 

 common in silage. It is stated that growth is vigorous on a neutral or slightly 

 acid medium and feeble on an alkaline one, organic acids such as lactic and 

 acetic being more favorable than inorganic acids such as hydrochloric. Oxygen 

 is absolutely essential, but liquid and agar media do not seem particularly 

 favorable. It grows well on a number of complex organic compounds, as certain 

 sugars; also abundantly on such starchy materials as rice. 



A variety of factors influence the production of the characteristic carmine 

 red pigment, which is not necessarily correlated with abundant growth. The 

 pigment, the solubility of which is discussed, is not due to simple oxidation, 

 but is thought to be an end product of metabolism. 



An improved nonabsorbing porous cup atmometer, J. W. Shive (Plant 

 World, 18 (1915), No. 1, pp. 7-10, fig. 1). — A description is given of a form of 

 porous cup atmometer in which the instrument is modified in such a way as to 

 be self-contained and at the same time to reduce the liability of breakage and 

 the difficulty of adjustment. 



