FIELD CROPS. 769 



weight per thousand grains it was fretjuentiy surpassed by the stems of later growth. 

 The average vahie of the first .3 stems was found superior to the average vahie of the 

 first 6 in all the points determined. No regular differences between the initial stems 

 of plants with small and large stools were discerned. 



Mineral matter in the lower part of the stems of cereals in its relation to 

 lodging, D. LiENAU {luaiuj. JHss., Unir. Kuaigsherg, 1903, pp. 91, ph. 4, dgm. 1) . — 

 Strube Sclilanstedt oats, a variety which stands up well, was grown with different 

 fertilizer applications in field and pot experiments, for the iwrpose of obtaining 

 material for ol)servation. Tlie results ol)tained point to a relation between the min- 

 eral matter furnished in the fertilizer and the thickness of the cell wall, as well as 

 the content of the stems in total ash, phosphoric acid, lime, potash, and crude fiber. 

 A summary of the results and conclusions is here given. 



It was found that phosphoric acid produced the most marked thickening of the 

 cell wall, and that this influence is very much retarded by a large proportion of 

 potash or lime applied at the same time. A heavy application of potash increased 

 the size of the cell lumen, and large quantities of nitrogen, in addition to a like effect, 

 reduced the thickness of the cell wall. This action of these 2 plant-food elements 

 was neutralized when a proijortionally large quantity of phosphoric acid was applied 

 simultaneously. Ammonia nitrogen weakened the stems less than nitrate nitrogen. 

 The plants on limed soil also showed weaker cell walls and larger cell lumen than 

 tho.se on unlimed soil, and this result with lime .was strikingly apparent on the plats 

 heavily fertilized with phosphoric acid. The weakening of the stems did not pro- 

 ceed Beyond a certain point, even when several factors with such a tendency were 

 active at the same time. 



The data further show a constant analogy between the total ash of the stems and 

 their potash content, the one rising and falling witli the other. When large quan- 

 tities of i»otash, nitrogen, and lime were used the stems i-ontained more total ash and 

 potash than when only small quantities were given. The increase in these suljstances 

 through lime was particularly heavy on the plat receiving ammonium sulj^hate. A 

 lil)eral u.se of phosphoric acid decrease! the total ash and potash content of the stems 

 in a number of instances. A definite maximum in the content of total ash and 

 potash was never surpassed, even when several favorable factors were working in 

 conjunction. 



The quantity of phosphoric acid in the stems showed no connection with the (juan- 

 tity applied in the fertilizers, and the results apparently indicate that the liberal use 

 of potash, nitrogen, and lime farther the al)sorption of phosphoric acid l)y this part 

 of the plant. 



On the nitrate-of-soda plats a connection ])etween the phosphoric acid given in the 

 fertilizer application and the lime content of the stems was observed. The plats 

 heavily fertilized with phosphoric acid produced plants with considerably less lime 

 in the stems than the plants receiving little or no lime. On the ammonium-sulphate 

 plat heavy applications of potash and nitrogen increased the quantity of lime taken 

 up by the stems. The silicic acid, iron, and sodium in the stems showed no connec- 

 tion with the fertilizers applied. The crude fiber appeared to be increased in the 

 straw by heavy applications of phosphoric acid, and, in case of insufficient plant 

 food, also by the use of lime. 



An anatomical study of the plants under observation showed that fertilizing with 

 l)h(isphoric acid increased tlie thickness of the cell wall, while the use of potash, 

 nitrogen, and lime w'as prejudicial to this process. The results of analyses indicate 

 that phosphoric acid has a tendency to diminish the ash and some of its components, 

 while potash, nitrogen, and lime had the opposite effect. The thickness of the cell 

 wall was inversely proportional to the content of ash, or certain ash constituents, in 

 the stems, but tliis was definitely determined only for total ash and potash, and not 

 for phosjihoric acid and lime. These experiments are not considered adequate to 



