1124 expp:riment station record. 



ble to {j;row successfully (luriiij; the winter months the annual summer flowering 

 plants which do not survive the intense heat of the summer, or to grow dur- 

 ing: the suunner months the annual flowering plants generally referred to as 

 winter-growing species. This also holds true for vegetables. 



Plant culture in diffused daylight, A. Burgerstein (Vcrhandl. K. K. Zool. 

 Hot. Gcscll. W'icii, oS (l!)()!<), Xo. 0-7, />/>. 32,i-32!)). — Experiments are reported 

 on the growth of about 20 si)ecies of ornamental plants in diffused light and in 

 beds so situated as to receive direct sunlight for a few hours in the morning 

 and evening and diffused light during midday. 



Almost without exception the growth of the stalks, leaves, flowers, and seed 

 capsules was greatest in what is termed the mixed light. The plants remained 

 green for a longer period, and flowered more abundantly. The dry weight of 

 the plants which received the early and late sunlight was from 1.4 to 11.2 times 

 as great as that of similar species grown in diffused light. Similar conditions 

 were noted for flower and seetl iirodviction. 



The influence of light on the development of fruits and seeds, W. Lubi- 

 MENKo (Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci. [Paris], 1J,1 {1008). No. 2.',, itp. 1326-1328).— 

 Studies by the author have shown that while a certain amount of illumination 

 is absolutely essential during the early stages for the formation of fruit, 

 after a fruit has passed a short stage of development it is possible to com- 

 plete its development in greatly reduced light. If self-pollinated plants are 

 inclosed before the pollination of their flowers in black or white bags fastened 

 to the plants, in general but very few normal fruits will be formed, due to the 

 insufficient illumination. In one instance 30 heads of wheat were inclosed in 

 black sacks before the pollination of the flowers and only 3 to 5 grains were 

 produced to the head, while heads in the same stage of growth inclosed in 

 white bags gave from 16 to 25 grains per head. Similar results were obtained 

 with peas. 



Studies made with a considerable number of plants show that there is an 

 optimum for the illumination required for the development of dry matter in 

 fruits and that this optimum corresponds to a somewhat attenuated illumina- 

 tion. The maximum dx'y weight of seeds and pericarp of a number of fruits, such 

 as currants, cherries, apples, pears, etc., corresponds to illumination slightly 

 less than the maximum of light. It is shown also that the acidity of the fruit 

 diminishes with the illumination. In the majority of cases fruit inclosed in 

 s;;cks was less acid than that maturing in the open. On the contrary, the 

 material reduced by Fehling's solution was greater in those fruits which were 

 inclosed in sacks and less in those ripening normally. 



The infl.uence of radium rays on a few life processes of plants, C. S. 

 Gager (Pop. Sci. Mo., l.'i (IHO'J), No. 3, pp. 222-232. figs. /.?).— This paper is a 

 nontechnical account of some of the more striking results described in the 

 author's memoir on the effects of the rays of radium on plants (E. S. R., 20, 

 p. 929). 



The author summarizes his investigations, stating that radium acts as a 

 stimulus to the various physiological processes of plants. If the strength of 

 the radium, the duration of exposure, and other conditions are suitable, the 

 response is an excitation of function, but if the radium is too strong and the 

 exposure too prolonged, the result is a retardation, or a complete inhibition of 

 function, or even the death of the plant. There were found to be differences 

 in sensitiveness between individuals, and also between different species and 

 different tissues. 



Electroculture, J. B. Martin (Prog. Agr. et Vit. (Ed. VEst-Centre), 29 

 (1908), No. .'/l. pp. ^39-4.'f2). — An account is given of some experiments car- 

 ried on by Lieutenant Basty for the past 7 years in the vicinity of Tours, 



