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The Effect of Aeration on the Roots of Zea Mays. — I. 



COLONZO C. Beals — Indiana University. 



This experiment was conducted for the purpose of learning- the 

 effect of aeration on the roots of Zea Mays. In water cultures as com- 

 monly conducted, the only aeration that the gi'owing plants receive comes 

 from the surface of the water. 



Effect of aeration on roots of Zea Mays. 



The plants were grown as water cultures in normal solutions minus 

 the sodium chloride. The cylinders used had a capacity of one and 

 one-half liters and the solution was changed at frequent intervals. One 

 cylinder was aerated by means of letting a stream of water flow through 

 a glass tube (a) from a hydrant. The tube protruded slightly through 

 a rubber cork fitting tightly in the larger end of condensing tube that 

 was cut in two pieces. The cork should have an opening for a tube to 

 admit air. The lower end of the tube was connected to a second one (b) 

 leading to a cylinder (d) filled with water resting in a drain pan. The 



12—11994 



