JOURNAL OF THE OOLLEÖE OF SOIENOE, IMPERIAL UNIVERSITY, 

 TOKYO, JAPAN. 



VOL. XXIII., ARTICLE 4. 



On the Effect of a Partial Removal of Roots 



and Leaves upon the Development 



of Flowers. 



Minora Shiga, Rigakushi. 



The object of the present investigation is to ascertain whether, 

 a partial removal of leaves, roots, etc., has any effect upon the 

 formation of flowers, and to determine the degree of such effect. 

 I intend at the same time to ascertain how far a difference of 

 species or individuals may lead to different results for injuries of 

 the same kind and degree. 



Literature on this subject is scanty. Vöchting mentions 

 in his book " Ueber Organbildung im Pflanzenreich", II. Theil, 

 1884, p. 104, the methods of promoting flower-formation, prac- 

 tised by gardeners of ancient times. He confirms the experiment 

 of Kivers, an English gardener, who showed that if a part of 

 the main root of a pear tree be removed, the plant is thereby- 

 prevented from taking sufficient water and nourishment, but never- 

 theless the development of the flowers is promoted. 



Möbius in his essay entitled " Welche Umständen befördern 

 und welche hemmen das Blühen der Pflanzen ? " (Biologisches 

 Centralblatt, 1892, p. 609) gives as the factors which affect flowering 

 light, warmth, water, etc. He also shows that if the growth of 

 the roots is prevented, a more profuse flowering is effected. 



In the following pages I .shall describe my own experiments 



