igoo-i.] Effects of Water on Foliage Leaves. 339 



X. — On the Effects of Water and Nutrient Solutions 

 UPON Developing Buds of Willow Twigs. 



In order to investigate in some detail the question as to whether 

 nutrient solutions affected the budding and the general commencement 

 of growth of twigs of a plant belonging to the genus Salix, and as to 

 the manner in which they affected growth, a series of experiments was 

 performed during the months of March and April, 1900. Apparatus 

 was arranged as indicated in Fig. 16.* The twigs were taken at a 

 season of the year best suited to the purpose, the internal conditions of 

 the plant being then of such a nature as to produce immediate active 

 growth if subjected to right conditions of temperature and of moisture. 

 The twigs were, as nearly as may be, of uniform size and quality. As 

 will be referred to, a comparison was also made between the effects of 

 distilled water and of tap water upon the development of roots and 

 buds. Willow twigs, being of such a hardy nature, and having the 

 capability of sending forth adventitious buds and roots, even under 

 rather unfavourable circumstances, and each small part of the twig 

 being in itself, so to speak, the embryo of a new plant, they lend 

 themselves readily to experiments designed for various ends. The main 

 purpose of the experiments here described was to find out whether the 

 bud, as it is developing, absorbs water or solutions, and whether it is 

 affected by the liquid in which it is immersed. This is the main point. 

 The other results recorded are subordinate to this, so far as this paper is 

 concerned, and will consequently receive less attention, but they may 

 not be subordinate from the standpoint of scientific interest. 



Three twigs were placed as in Fig. 16, A B, with both ends in 

 liquid, the first, (a), with both ends in distilled water, the second, (b), 

 with distilled water in the lower vessel and a nutrient solution in the 

 upper, the third, (c), with nutrient solution in the lower and distilled 

 water in the upper vessel. Each twig had two undeveloped buds in 

 each jar of liquid, and several others outside the jars. The lower jar in 

 each case was wrapped with dark paper to exclude mo.->t of the light. 

 The upper jars were of transparent glass and had no wrapper. The 

 twigs were all inserted alike in having the top, or smaller end, upper- 

 most. The upper and the lower liquids were renewed from time to 

 time as occasion required ; and in the case of (b), there was a complete 



These diagrams are for the purpose of illustrating accurately the whole conditions under which the 

 experiments were conducted. 



