Stout—Vegetation of a Typical Wild Hay Meadow. 451 
feet; Bromus inermis 5% feet. None of the species tested 
made in the time this experiment was run such an extensive 
root development as Ten Eyck found. 
The conditions under which these experiments were run do 
not exactly duplicate field conditions. The soil in the cylin¬ 
ders was without doubt warmer than the soil at similar depths 
in the field. The repeated application of water to the surface 
gave opportunity for better aeration. The plants were grown 
free from competition with other species. 
This kind of experimental work, however, sheds some light 
on plant requirements and under such control, species can he 
tested in reference to known conditions both with and without 
competition and the data thus obtained can be corellated with 
the facts ascertained in the field. 
The results of these experiments suggest the following con¬ 
clusions for the species tested: 
1. There is sharp correlation between root and shoot de¬ 
velopment. 
2. There is poor development when the water level is con¬ 
stantly at the surface. 
3. There is a marked development of roots in water soaked 
soil when the water level stands at 4, 8, and 12 inches. 
4. A high water table (not above 4 inches) is not prohibitive 
to the growth of these plants, but rather is favorable for the 
best growth. 
It would he of interest to test the Car ices in a manner similar 
to that used in the experiments just described. None of these 
marsh Oarices about Madison set seed during the spring of 1910 
hence experiments of this kind have been deferred. There is 
evidence however that water level is not the sole factor deter¬ 
mining the distribution of these plants. 
The ditch shown in Plate XX was dug in the summer of 1906. 
In constructing it large masses of sod were often transferred 
from the level of the marsh to the top and sides of the ridge of 
dirt thrown out. The photo shown in Plate XX shows this con¬ 
dition. In 1910 this ridge of newly exposed soil was well cov¬ 
ered with such plants as Salsola Kali var. tennifolia, Oenothera 
