424 
ALFRED DACHNOWSKI 
table VIII on the effects of different alkalies. In the series of sulfates 
and nitrates, Na is more effective than K or Ca. A comparison of the 
effectiveness of the anions needs no further comment. The order is 
NO3, SO4 and CI, very nearly that of the grouping of anions in the 
acid solution (table VII). The order of the anions, as that of the 
kations, is not always readily apparent as an inspection of the serial 
weighings will show. While in the last five or ten days of the experi- 
ment the order is as given above, it may appear inversely in the 
earlier part of the experiment. The changes are undoubtedly due to 
the removal of food constituents and to alterations in the contents of 
cells. 
The marked effect of glycocoll among the non-electrolytes in 
counteracting the action of hydrochloric acid is not shared by dextrose 
or sucrose. The latter has the least effect of any of the various salts 
added upon the quantity of water absorbed and transpired by tomato 
plants. 
5. The presence of any salt in equimolecular concentration in the 
solution of an alkali does not in all cases increase the amount of water 
absorbed and transpired by tomato plants. In table X the difference 
in the quantities of the water relation induced through the action of 
electrolytes and non-electrolytes of the same concentration, it is easily 
noted, is not as great as in an acid solution. 
The effect of any salt seems to be made up of the sum of the effects 
of the constituent ions. The kations arrange themselves in about the 
following order in which the most effective in increasing the water 
supply is placed first in the series: Ca, Na, K. The relation in the 
order of the anions is not readily apparent, but it is of interest to note 
that in an alkaline solution the nitrate of calcium brings about a 
greater reduction in the available water for transpiration and ab- 
sorption than the nitrate of potassium. 
If the amounts are compared which the plants absorb and transpire 
in acid and alkaline solutions through the action of equimolecular 
solutions of salts added to them, it will be seen that the plants function 
more evenly in an alkaline medium. 
Non-electrolytes, through their presence in osmotically equivalent 
concentrations, reduce the water relation of tomato plants in an 
alkaline medium, but not to the extent as in an acid solution. Com- 
parison readily shows that the amount of the difference is considerably 
above that in distilled water or in HCl n/Soo. 
