450 
Journal of Agricultural Research 
Vol. V, No. ir 
we are still of the opinion that on account of its hardiness under all sorts 
of conditions this plant would lend itself better than any other to such 
studies as those herein contemplated, and we hope to take it up again 
at some future time. 
In thinking over the subject of the translocation of mineral matter 
during plant growth it occurred to us that it might be of interest to 
determine the translocation of the mineral matter contained in the seeds 
and tubers of certain plants during the period of sprouting. Therefore, 
our present experiments have been confined to the seeds of the garden 
bean (Phaseolus vulgaris ), com (Zea mays), and to the potato tuber 
(Solanum tuberosum ). Up to this time our work has been confined to 
the measurement of the translocation of phosphorus, calcium, potassium, 
magnesium, and silicon. 
EXPERIMENTS WITH GARDEN BEANS 
The cotyledons of the garden bean were found to contain a considera¬ 
ble amount of mineral matter, and the seedlings of this plant are hardy 
and well adapted to our requirements. The only difficulties experienced 
in growing these seedlings under the conditions of these experiments 
were the growth of molds and the attack of the seedling by the damping- 
off wilt. The bean in this instance was germinated and allowed to grow 
to maturity at the expense of the food stored in the cotyledons, extreme 
care being taken that they should receive no mineral food from external 
sources. We, of course, realized that the growth of any plant in distilled 
water is more or less abnormal; yet these beans germinated and pro¬ 
duced perfect seedlings with well-developed leaves. 
Great difficulty was experienced in keeping down the growth of molds 
during the process of germination and in preventing the damping-off 
wilt from attacking the seedlings. In order to overcome these difficul¬ 
ties, every precaution was taken to sprout and grow these seedlings 
under aseptic conditions. The distilled water employed was boiled for 
20 minutes before coming in contact with the beans. The germination 
and growth of the seedlings were carried out in a dust-proof closet con¬ 
structed for that purpose. A framework of wood was made and covered 
inside and out with cheesecloth, leaving an air space of about 2 inches. 
During the experiment both layers of the cheesecloth were kept moistened 
with a 50 per cent solution of glycerin and water. This prevented dust 
and spores from entering the closet; yet it allowed a free passage of air 
and light. An opening was made in the side of the closet just large 
enough to admit the head and shoulders of a man. Over this opening 
was hung a curtain, so arranged as to exclude dust while working inside 
and when the closet was closed. 
The seedlings were never allowed to come in contact with glass. The 
germinations were made in large porcelain evaporating dishes in which 
