NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 
519 
Each set consisted of 100 plants, and they were grown side by side with extra- 
ordinarily different results, varying from a crop of 45 lb. in 191 4 and 191 5 from 
the stock obtained from Norfolk to nearly 123 lb. from that obtained from 
Jersey, the differences in yield being marked in each year. Whether these 
differences are actually due to the differences in locality from which the stock 
came cannot be stated with certainty, but a case for further investigation has 
certainly been established. — F. J. C. 
Sugar and Acid in Grapes during Ripening, Development of. By W. B. 
Alwood and others (U.S.A. Dep. Agr,, Bur. PI. Ind., Bull. 335, April 1916, 
pp. 1-28). — The study of the fundamental changes which occur during the 
ripening of grapes is of importance in the determination of the normal composition 
of grape products. The ripeness of the grape should not be judged merely by 
the colour ; it can only be determined when both chemical composition and 
physiological condition are considered. In the ripening of grapes the increase 
of sugar and the elimination of acid are dependent upon many factors, such as 
climatic and soil conditions, the vigour of the plant, the species and variety 
characteristics. With certain reservations, sugar should increase and acid 
diminish as long as the leaves function properly. A series of tables is given 
showing the analytical results of a number of juice samples from the crops of 
191 1 and 1 91 2, grown at Sandusky, Ohio, and Charlottesville, Virginia. — A. B. 
Sugar Beets and Radishes, A New Fungus Parasite of. By H. A. Edson (Jour. 
Agr. Sci. iv. p. 279, July 1915; plates). — This is the fungus referred to in 
these Abstracts, vol. xli. p. 533. The author now gives a full description of it 
under the name Rheosporangium Aphanidermatus . — F. J. C. 
Sulphur and Calcium Sulphate, Effects of, on Plants. By Walter Pitz 
(Jour. Agr. Res. vol. v. No. 16, Jan. 1916, pp. 771-780 ; 1 plate). — A series 
of experiments was devised to determine the effect of sulphur and sulphates 
upon soil micro-organisms, and on pure cultures of legume bacteria ; and also 
to determine the effect of sulphur and sulphates upon the growth of red clover 
( Tri folium pratense ) . 
The general conclusions arrived at were : 
1. Calcium sulphate, when added to a soil, has apparently no marked effect 
on the total number of bacteria that grow upon agar plates, nor does it produce 
any marked increase in ammonification or nitrification. 
2. Large amounts of sulphur cause a decrease in total number of bacteria 
that grow upon agar plates, but produce an increase in ammonification at con- 
centrations of 0-05 per cent. This increase in ammonification is accompanied 
by a parallel decrease in nitrate formation. This decrease may be due to the 
acidity or toxicity produced by the oxidation of sulphur. 
3. Calcium sulphate stimulates the growth of pure cultures of red clover 
bacteria in nutrient solutions and in soil extract. The increase is as great 
with o-oi per cent, as with o*i per cent. 
4. The root development of red clover is increased by calcium sulphate, 
o-i per cent, being apparently as efficient in producing this increase as o-i per 
cent. 
5. In small amounts calcium sulphate increases the yield of red clover and 
also the number of nodules. 
6. The addition of sulphur increases the ammonification, but decreases 
nitrification and the total number of soil organisms. It increases the yield 
of red clover but slightly, and does not affect the root development nor the 
number of nodules. — A, B. 
Sulphur Compounds, Relation of, to Plant Nutrition. By E. B. Hart and 
W. E. Tottingham (Jour. Agr. Res. v. p. 233, Nov. 1915 ; pi.). — Pot experiments 
with a variety of plants showed that the addition of sulphates to " complete 
fertilizer " increased the yield to an appreciable extent in Leguminous and 
Cruciferous crops. Grasses were not so markedly affected. Calcium sulphate 
was, in general, more effective than sodium sulphate. The addition of sulphates 
appeared to exert a special influence upon root development, particularly in red 
clover and rape. In the former especially the roots were much elongated 
where sulphates were applied, thus materially extending the feeding area. 
Sulphur by itself was generally harmful, even when considerable quantities of 
carbonate of lime were present. The experiments are being extended to field 
trials. — F. J. C. 
Sunflower, A New. By G. T. Grignan (Rev. Hort. Nov. 16, 1915 ; one 
illustration). — A fine flower a la Gaillardia, of robust habit. — C. T. D. 
