ANNUAL REPORT, 1941 29 



perature was maintained at about 80° F. The resulting differences in vegetative 

 and reproductive development are, therefore, attributable directly to soil tem- 

 peratures. 



The Effect of Root Media on Root Structure. (L. H. Jones and B. Eames.) 

 Soybean and corn plants grew equally well in either sand cr solution culture and 

 could be shifted from one medium to the other without any drastic effect en the 

 root system. Roots in sand cultures were thicker and kinked as compared with 

 the slender, smooth roots grown in solution. A study of the root structure before 

 and after transfer from one type of medium to the other did not disclose any 

 particular modification of root structure other than an increase in the amount 

 of cortex in roots developed in the sand medium. 



Geranium cuttings, rooted in sand and transferred to a solution medium, 

 developed new roots at the callus above the level of the solution, the original 

 roots dying in the solution. On the other hand, chrysanthemum cuttings were 

 able to continue growth without the necessity of producing a new set of roots, 

 the original roots being able to function when transferred from sand to a so- 

 lution. 



DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY 



W. S. Ritchie in Charge 



Analytical Service. (The Department.) Many of the analytical services, 

 formerly performed by the department, have been taken over by the Control 

 Laboratories. 



The analysis of various blueberry bushes, particularly for iron and manganese, 

 from an "elemental" fertilizer experiment have been completed for the Depart- 

 ment of Pomology. 



Samples of a lubricating oil and fungicides have also been examined. 



Testing Analytical Methods. (E. B. Holland.) The work of several years on 

 a method for the determination of zinc in foodstuffs has been completed, and the 

 procedures appeared as a part of bulletin 379 of this Station. 



A study of the method for the determination of fluorine in insecticides has 

 been started, and will receive additional attention during the coming year. 



The Iron, Copper, Zinc, and Iodine Content of Fruits and Vegetables. (E. B. 



Holland, C. P. Jones, and W. S. Ritchie.) During the past several years a large 

 number of foodstuffs for both man and beast have been collected, and analyzed 

 for the above elements, as well as for approximate analyses. The results have 

 been classified and tabulated, and published as bulletin 379 of this Station. 



Lignin and Its Relation to the Absorption of Minerals by Plants. (Emmett 

 Bennett.) This project is being continued in much the same way as outlined 

 previously in other reports. Derivatives of lignin have been prepared. Attempts 

 are being made to fractionate these compounds and correlate such fractions with 

 certain properties of lignin. Limited data do not warrant conclusion at this time. 



Hemicelluloses. A preliminary attempt is being made to obtain and charac- 

 terize the hemicellulose fractions of several different species of grass, with the 

 hope of being able to correlate such differences as may exist with differences in 

 species composition. Extractions have been completed and some fractions have 

 been isolated, but as yet no data have been obtained regarding species differ- 

 ences. 



