665 



the parenchyma cells of the under half of the node, which carries out the 

 bending, vtnder the force of gravity, because the stalk with its node, is bent 

 toward the horizontal. These parenchyma cells attract water. 



However, supported by the investigations of G. Kraus\ we would like 

 to assume that no considerable formation of osmotically effective substances 

 (acids) takes place, but rather a longer retention of such substances on the 

 convex side, as a result of a decreased oxidation of the organic acids. At 

 least Kraus proves that as much acid is present on the convex as on the 

 concave side in the occurrence of geotrophic and heliotrophic bending. 



The only actually successful precaution lies in thinner seeding, the 

 quantity of which must be modified according to the consistency of the soil. 

 On sandy soils the seeding must be thicker than on loamy soils, and thicker 

 with a poorer fertilization than with an abundant supply of nitrogen. 

 Planting with the drill is found to be the most useful because the best dis- 

 tributed stand of plants is obtained thereby. 



If, however, the seeding has already taken place and a close stand, 

 luxurious development, and moist weather give rise to a fear of a subsequent 

 lodging, the attempt should be made to remove a part of the leaf apparatus 

 by strong harrowing, rolling, or prudent mowing and uprooting, in order to 

 provide a sufficient access of light. 



In regard to cultural regulations, we must refer to the recently pub- 

 lished, very thorough work of C. Kraus", based on, experimental studies, 

 because the precautionary regulations, according to the difiFerent causes of 

 lodging here mentioned, must also differ greatly. On general principles, it 

 is not only a question of growing strong plants as resistant as possible to 

 disturbances in equilibrium, but also to take pains that the plants, me- 

 chanically well developed above and below the soil, find the indispensable 

 support within the soil of a properly developed root system. The task of 

 breeding now follows these two directions. Even the weather at the time 

 of seeding acts determinatively for the position of nodes, regulating essen- 

 tially the anchorage of the plant in the soil. According to Schellenberg^, 

 the node lies higher if the seed develops in cloudy weather. It is, therefore, 

 more advantageous (even for winter grain) when the seeds sprout in clear 

 weather. 



In weak stemmed plants, inchned to lodge, there occurs also at times 

 a decay of the parts entirely removed from the light, which causes consid- 

 erable loss in the lodging of fodder peas. The sowing of some horsetooth 

 maise with these is recommended as a precaution. The peas can climb up 

 the stems of the maise and its leaves also furnish good fodder. 



The sowing of gold of pleasure (Camelina sativa) possibly 6 liters per 

 hectare, is also recommended to prevent the lodging of peas, sweet peas, 

 etc. This plant, which is perfectly hardy, ripens about the same time as 



1 Sitzung-ber. d. naturf. Ges. zu Halle 1880; cit. Bot. Centralbl. 1882, I, p. 107. 



2 Kraus, C, Die Lagerung- cler Getreide. Stuttgart 1908, Eugen Ulmer. 



3 Schellenberg, H. C, Untersuchung-en iiber die Lag-e des Bestockung-sknotens 

 beim Getreide. Forsch. auf d. Gebiete d. Landwirtsch. Frauenfeld 1902. 



