the etherization of pl.\nts. 83 



Summary. 



Briefly summed up the facts presented in this paper may be 

 stated as follows : Anesthetics when properly used impart a decided 

 growth impulse to plants. Their effect upon the plant is to arrest 

 growth, extract moisture from the cell protoplasm, and through 

 these physiological derangements imparting a severe shock to the 

 whole plant which when removed causes a decided growth reaction. 



Toxic substances such as alcohol, acetone, and other similar 

 agents, while not causing insensibility, unless employed in large 

 amounts, act in a very similar manner to that of anesthetics and 

 result in a more or less decided growth acceleration. 



Non-anesthetic or non-toxic agents such as freezing, vacuum, and 

 dessication all arrest growth and remove moisture from the plant 

 tissues much in the same manner as anesthetics and toxics. They 

 all seem to possess the power to hasten plant growth during the 

 dormant season. Hot water imparts a distinct shock to the cell 

 protoplasm and tissues and acts as a solvent in softening up the 

 winter protecting scales inclosing the leaf and flowering buds, 

 thereby hastening the winter forcing of shrubs. 



A careful consideration of all the factors influencing the growth 

 of plants during their resting period would seem to indicate that 

 there is no one substance which may be said to be superior to all 

 others. Ether because of its more general use has come to be 

 regarded as the best anesthetic to use in plant forcing. There are 

 indications however that other substances may serve equally as well 

 and in some instances may give better results than ether. More 

 information is needed along these lines particularly with respect 

 to the hot water treatment. 



Table 1. 



