( no ) 



the following year. Our custom of burying salt packages near 

 the roots are justifiable from this point of view, because a mixture 

 of sodium and magnesium salt is present in them. Further- 

 more, the dropping occurs when the shoots have grown with 

 rapidity. It always happens in the rainy season, from the 

 middle of June to July, when the roots are in great activity. 

 In this case an abundance of soluble salts in the soil would 

 retard the absorption by the roots. " Mixture of salts impedes 

 absorption more than pure salts, and certain kinds, for example, 

 sodium chloride, act more energetically than others, for ex- 

 ample saltpeter," says Prof. Schimper.* " Sodiunrt chloride 

 acts on the vegetable organism in part physically, since like 

 other saline solutions it impedes the osmotic absorption of 

 water through the roots, and in part chemically, as after its 

 entrance into the cells it affects metabolism." " Hansteen has 

 made it probable that sodium chloride, as well as potassium 

 chloride, stands in a certain relation to the manufacture of 

 proteids from amides and carbohydrates." 



From these results, it appears highly probable that Kaki 

 trees are much impeded in absorption by the application of 

 salt to the roots, thereby causing physiological drought to the 

 roots, even if the soil be saturated with water. The growth of 

 the shoots are consequently retarded or inhibited and the pre- 

 mature dropping of the fruits can be prevented. 



Premature dropping of the fruit cm also be secured by 

 another means. , In some parts oblique cuts are made on the 

 stems to lessen the flow of sap to some extent. 



* " Plant Geography Upon a Physiogical Basis," Eng. Translation 



1903. ;■ 



