428 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



a consequence of the phj-siological reliitioiiship of the oil to carbohydrate it is 

 cousiderecl that maximum oil production in the plant requires conditions of nu- 

 trition favorable to the accumulation of carbohydrate during the vegetative 

 period and to the transformation of carbohydrate into oil during the repro- 

 ductive period. 



After discussing the various factors influencing oil formation the authors con- 

 clude that under practical conditions climate is a more potent factor than .soil 

 type in controlling the size of the seed and its oil content. Within ordinary 

 limits the relative fertilty of the soil appears to be a minor factor in influencing 

 the size of the seed and its oil content. In fertilizer tests v^'ith cotton the addi- 

 tion of a complete fertilizer usually gave larger seed and a higher percentage 

 of oil. Increased applications of nitrogen did not alfect the size of the seed, but 

 lowered the ])ercentage of oil, while increasing the applications of phosphorus 

 or potash did not affect either character. In pot cultures with soy beans the 

 addition of phosphorus did not change the size of the seed, but increased the 

 oil content. Potash was without decided effect. In similar tests with peanuts 

 neither phosphorus nor potash affected the oil content. 



The relation of food supply to fung'us development, E. G. Pringsheim 

 {Ztschr. Bot., 6 (1914), No. 7, pp. 577-62-), fiys. 5).— The author describes a 

 somewhat extended study of the relations between the volume and concen- 

 tration of the food supply, also of the effect of ordinarily more or less poisonous 

 materials therein, and the development of several fungi. 



It is stated that while growth shows within limits a correspondence with vol- 

 ume and concentration in case of a given fungus and medium, variations in 

 growth rate are dilTerent for the various organisms employed. Such corre- 

 spondence may be extended beyond the original limits by the addition of ordi- 

 narily poisonous substances in the limited proportions within which these exert 

 a stimulative influence. The influence of a given nutritive factor in a given 

 medium is affected by the amount of other nutritive materials present. A given 

 increase in the percentage of a nutritive substance, which is standing at its 

 minimum proportion, causes a greater increase in growth than does the corre- 

 .•^pouding addition of a merely stimulating substance, which fact furnishes a 

 means of distinguishing between nutrients and stimulants. 



The pigments of Fusarium, Bezssonoff (Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci. [Paris], 

 159 (1914), No. 8, pp. 448-450). — A study of F. orohnnchiis is reported in which 

 the author found two pigments, one a yellowish color, belonging to the antho- 

 eyanin group and soluble in water and alcohol, and the other a red pigment, 

 considered to be carotin. 



Chondriosomes and anthocyanin pigment in vegetable cells, A. Pensa 

 {Anat. An.::., 45 (1913), No. 4, pp. 81-90, figs. 2).— The author, claiming to have 

 shown in a series of studies that in vegetable cells chloroplasts are formed 

 showing much the same morphological and chemical characters as do chon- 

 driosomes, discusses several articles confirmatory or critical of his views by 

 other authors. 



More concerning chondriosomes and anthocyanic pigments in vegetable 

 cells, A. Pensa (Auat. An::., 46 (1914), No. 1-2, pp. lS-22, figs. 2).— Discussing 

 some differences between his own views, based upon the work above noted, and 

 the conclusions of Guilliermond (E. S. R., 29, p. 827), the author examines the 

 latter in connection with some observations made by himself. 



On a supposed synthesis of anthocyanin, Muriel Wheldale and H. L. 

 Bassett (Jour. Genetics, 4 (1914), No. 1, pp. 103-107). — This is a critical dis- 

 cussion of a paper by Everett (E. S. R., 31, p. 62G). 



Electrical injuries to trees, G. E. Stone (Miissachiisetls Sfa. Bui. 156 (1914)' 

 pp. 19. pis. 5. figs. 3). — The author describes a number of kinds of electrical 



