LIBERATION OF ORGANIC MATTER BY Roots oF GROWING PLANTS 13 
Two pots of wheat were kept in the greenhouse until the wheat was 
completely ripe. They were then placed out of doors, where they were 
subjected to four rainfalls on separate days. The pots were so arranged 
that the washings were caught in a tray. These washings, equivalent 
to about one inch of rainfall, dissolved from the plant 27 per cent of the 
nitrogen as well as other nutrients. 
Two oat pots were placed out of doors as were the wheat pots. The 
plants were about eight inches high. They were allowed to grow in this 
position until they were ripe. They were exposed to three rains during 
this time. The leachings contained 2 per cent of the nitrogen, as well 
as other nutrients. 
In two pots of potatoes, the aboveground parts were washed with 
2.5 quarts of water in a very fine spray. This was done when the plants 
were twenty-four inches high, when they were beginning to ripen, and 
when they were completely ripe. The leachings and the plant parts 
above ground were analyzed. The results show that, due to the action 
of washing, 7.5 per cent of the nitrogen was washed out. 
Jones and Huston (1914) report the composition of the maize crop 
at stages corresponding in the main with those at which the crop would 
be used for practical purposes, such as soiling, ensiling, and grain pro- 
duction. Conditions of uniformity were maintained as nearly ideal 
as it was possible to have them. In order to insure adequate moisture, 
the field was irrigated when necessary so as to provide not less than one 
inch of water every week. The soil was in a good state of fertility. 
Analyses were made as follows: (1) when the plants had six leaves, 
June 16; (2) when the plants were about four feet high, July 24; (3) when 
tassels began to form, August 6; (4) when the maize was fully pollinized, 
August 28; (5) when the plants were in the medium milk stage, with the 
pollen all shed and the silks brown, September 10; (6) when the kernels 
were glazing, September 24; (7) when the kernels were hardening, this 
being the ensiling stage, October 1; (8) when the maize was ready to put 
into shock, October 8; (9) when the maize was fully cured and ready 
to be stored, November 12. 
The samples represented the crop cut at the soil level. Data for weight 
of nitrogen showed a gradual increase from the first analysis to October 8, 
the amount at first being 0.28 pounds an acre and increasing to 110.6 
pounds on the last-named date. At the last analysis, on November 12, 
