626 EXPERIMENT STATION RECOED. 



reduction iu the amount of glucose and an increase in the amount of other 

 fertilizers. In this experiment tlie presence of the glucose was not only un- 

 favorable, but in some instances was positively detrimental to the growth of 

 the plants. 



A third experiment was carried on in February and March in a similar way, 

 in which 0.5 gm. of glucose was added to each pot at 8-day intervals, com- 

 parisons being drawn between the growth of plants in i)ots deprived of nitrogen 

 and others receiving sulphate of ammonia. In this case it was thought pos- 

 sible to test the effect of glucose in favoring the fixation of nitrogen by the 

 micro-organisms in the soil. The weight of the plants, determined as before, 

 plainly indicated a reduction of growth in every case where the glucose had 

 been added. 



A final experiment was conducted in forcing strawberries, and while the 

 author proposes to continue his experiments next winter, he does not think 

 that there is anything to warrant the hope that any notable improvement can 

 be secured by the use Of glucose for the early forcing of plants. 



In connection with the growth of beans, the author tested the value of the 

 application of nitrate of soda to the pots, contrasting the total weight of the 

 plants and the yield of the green pods where nitrate of soda was added with 

 the same grown in pots containing no nitrogen. The application of the nitrate 

 notably increased the development of the plants and pods and also the earliness 

 of their yield. The best results were obtained where the nitrate of soda was 

 applied a few days after the beans had germinated and begun growth. 



Investigations on the localization of saccharose in sugar beets, J. 1'eklo 

 (Sitzhcr. K. Bolim. G'r.sr/?. Wis.s. Math. Xatitra: CI., 22 (WOl), pp. 1-2H, pJ. 1; 

 (ib.s. in Bat. Ccitthl., WH { tHOS) No. 9. pp. 230. 2',0).—By means of Senffs 

 method, which consists of the use of phenylhydrazin, sodium acetate, and 

 glycerin, the author made some micro-chemical investigations to determine the 

 localization of saccharose in sugar beets, and found that for the most part it 

 is localized in the neighborhood of the sieve tissues. 



Observations on the osmotic properties of the root hairs of certain salt- 

 marsh plants, T. G. Hill {New PhytoL, 7 (1908). No. (i-l. pp. 13.^-1 ',2, 

 figs. 5). — A study was made of various salt-marsh plants to determine the ef- 

 fect of differences in the salinity of the soil upon the plants and how the plant 

 accommodates itself to the fluctuating concentration of the soil water. 



The results of the investigations clearly showed that the root hairs of Sali- 

 cornia, growing in places where the soil water is strongly saline, can adapt 

 their internal osmotic pressure to the osmotic strength of the soil water. It was 

 found that the osmotic pressure in different root hairs of the same individual 

 plant varies, as a rule the younger hairs having a higher equivalent. The cells 

 of the root cap have a very low coefficient. The osmotic pressure of root hairs 

 of different individuals of the same species may also vary. 



On transferring isolated seedlings from relatively strong saline solutions to 

 fresh water, the tips of the root hairs were found to swell and assume abnormal 

 shapes. Branching was also occasionally seen. The cellulose wall of the tip 

 of the root hair under some conditions may become thickened, and this is 

 believed to be possibly of value in giving the end a greater strength in order to 

 protect against a sudden increase in the internal pressure. 



The amount of sodium chlorid in seedlings seems to increase from the root 

 upward, the salt being most abundant in the higher region of the hypocotyl and 

 in the fleshy cotyledons. 



The action of compressed gas on the activity of micro-organisms and 

 ferments, C. Foa (Atti R. Accad. Lincei, Rend. CI. Sci. Fis., Mat. c Nat., 5 ser., 

 15 (1906), II, pp. 53-58, fig. 1; abs. in Bot. Centhl., 107 (1908), No. 2Jf, pp. 



