458 



BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN MEMOIRS 



gardeners and foresters have intimated that they have observed indi- 

 cations of an accelerated growth in height as a result of coniferous 

 seedlings coming in contact with one another. The stimulation effect 

 of contact, however, can be observed in the growth of crops and the 



Fig. 2. Showing growth of tomatoes in situ in contact and not in contact with 

 one another. 



method of close growing of certain economic plants has its advantages. 

 The configuration of plants, however, is greatly modified by close 

 growing, as may be observed in the handling of single-stemmed 

 chrysanthemums by florists, the growth of corn and various other 



Table i 



Showing Growth of Tomatoes {Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.) in Contact and Not in 



Contact with One Another^ 



plants. The stimulative effect of contact of one plant with another 

 is shown in Fig. 2. The tomatoes in this case were grown in a well- 

 lighted conservatory in soil similar in all respects and the water 

 supplied was such that each plant obtained similar amounts. (Cf. 

 Table I.) 



> 36 plants used. 



