290 Transactions of the Canadian Institute. [Vol. VII. 



with a general appearance which can scarcely be described in words and 

 figures. In the case of the plant Helianthus, the solution used seemed 

 to be too strong when applied to the roots as well as when applied to 

 the leaves. The effects, though in a measure injurious, were similar^ 

 making it seem probable that the solution was absorbed. 



The effect of water used as a spray was to stimulate growth for a 

 time, then to produce a chlorotic unhealthy appearance. In the case of 

 the buckwheat plant, the characteristic reddish colour of the stem was 

 maintained where the nutrient solution was applied to the leaves, as well 

 as when applied to the roots. Where the spray was of water the stems 

 became pale. These experiments being carried on through such an 

 extended period of time give strength to the conclusions reached. It 

 will be noticed in a few cases that accidents happened to the plants, 

 owing to frequent manipulation of the apparatus necessary to carry on 

 the work. This was unavoidable. 



To sum up we may say, that a nutrient solution when applied to the 

 leaves affected the plants as did the solution when applied to the roots, 

 that the nutrient solution produced a substantial growth, and that water 

 used as a spray stimulated growth for a time. 



In order to ascertain more fully the effect of the nutrient solution 

 applied to the leaves in this way, it was thought that an estimation of 

 the ash content would throw some light upon the matter. 



The following experiment was designed to determine the effect upon 

 the content of ash by feeding a plant with a nutrient solution applied to 

 the leaves in the form of a spray (Fig. 7). Eight plants of the same 

 species (Justicia speciosa) were selected so as to have them as nearly as 

 possible uniform in size and quality. They were divided into two 

 groups of four each, the division being made so as to have by estimation 

 the same amount of ash in each group. This was of course only an 

 approximation, but it was made in such a way as to leave error, if error 

 there was, on the safe side. The selection of plants was not made by 

 the writer. 



Group I.— M, N, O, P; Group II.— A, B, G, H. 



The plants of Group I. were at once dried and then analyzed to 

 ascertain the content of ash. Those of Group II. were fed, as described 

 above, for seventeen days, when they also were dried, weighed and 

 analyzed in a similar way. The plants in both cases were dried first in 

 air, and then for two days in a desiccator for dry weight calculations. 



