SINGULAR EFFECTS OF HEAT AND LIGHT ON VEGETATION.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1472, 8 December 1881, Page 1 (Supplement)

SINGULAR EFFECTS OF HEAT AND LIGHT ON VEGETATION.

A curious modification of the normal structure of plant-stora9 has been observed by M. Prilheux on making the temperature of the ground about the plant higher than the air above. Beans and pumpkim gave the best results. The seeds were placed in earth in a large dish in whioh was inserted part of a brass rod bent at a right angle, and having a gas flame applied to its horizontal end. The ohambcß* was moist and cold. The seeds germinated well ; but on ooming above the ground the plants acquired a peculiar shape, they grew but little in length and became unusually thick, the latter growth involving much tension in the surface layers, so that deep rifts before long appeared (most by transverse) and made further growth impossible. M. Prilheux found the enlargement traceable mainly to an increase, not of the interior (cells of the cortical tissue and the pith). The excessive growth of these cells occured not; only in the coll wall, but in the neuclus, which was often multiplied. The exoess of temperature of tho ground over the air was about 10 degrees. Again, the view adopted by the older botanists that light is oithor without effect on germination, or has an adverse effect, fails to harmonise svith some results lately arrived at by Herr Stebler, in the case of many seeds of agricultural importance auch aa varieties of meadow grass (poa), the germination of which he finds to be favored considerably more by light than by heat. Thus, with two groups of 400 ■>ecds, each of Poa memoralis, in one expeiimeut, these germinated in light 62 per cent, and in darkness 3 per cent. Similarly with Poa pratensis in light, SSL per cent in ; in darkness, 7 per cent, and on. Sunlight being a variable force difficult of determination, experiments were further made with gaslight, and with the same lesult — that light favors ihe germination of eeitain seeds, especially grasses, and that these germinate either not at all or verj r f-cnntilv, in darkness. The fact was verified by Herr Stebler in quite a series of seed*, Fe,sioca, Cynosurus, Alopccurus, &a. In the case of seeds that germinate quickly and easily, such as clover, beans, or peas, he thinks that light is probably not advantageous. — Tunes.

Instead of trying to get new breeds of fancy fowls afc fancy prices, use the money they would cont in better treatment of the old flock. Attend thoroughly to their wants, and you will have a good chance for eggs. Old Professor Spectacles said to his class, "How do you pronounce s-t-i-n-g-y ?" The smartest boy of the class stood up and said, " That depends a great deal on on whether you mean to use it on a man or a wasp." We know a man so cross-eyed that he put his hand into another man's pocket and abstracted thereform a watch. He wanted to learu the time. The judge, told him it would bp three years. "How do you like the character of S. Paul ?" asked a parson of his landlady one d'iy during a conversation about the old saints pnd the apo«tles. "Ah, ha was a good, clever old. soul, I know," replied the landlady, " for he once said, you know, that we must cat what is eet before us, and ask no questions, for conscience sike. I always thought I should like him for a boarder. Mean folk in this woild ? There are ! A Webt End father asked his son if he felt too tired or lame to <?o to the circus, md wueu the boy said " no," told him to go and bring up a t-cuttle of coal, and the boy couldn't Kiy he wawn't able. C'AMKh .Sagacity. — A remarkable instance of canine sagacity is told by a trade-man in a London suburb who possessed a dog and a cat which, on the wholo, li\ed together on very amicable terms. One day, about a fortnight ago, the cat wandered on an adjoining railway line, probably in pursuit of a bird ; but, whatever its object, it was so intent in watching it that ;.n advancing train approached unheeded, cutting off one of the poor puss's feet. It would spom to hare remained for a time unnoticed, but ultimately its household companion, doubtIcps attracted to the place by the pitiful men ings, came to the spot, and tenderly hiking hold of the cat in his teeth carried it home. When he had directed the master's attention to the cats unfortunato condition, the d( q went straight back to theiailway hue, sniffed along until ho found the missing paw, and carried it home too, layinjr it dmn beside poor bleeding puss, which had in the end to Ye poihoned. Tin: "North BritMi Advertiser " of 2nd July gravely informs its Scottish ie<irloti are t-o plentiful in the Australian bu^h that they are shot down like rabbita .md kangHioo"*, and that one raau shot 5000 hoi^es in two year?. Jlavk you enemies ? — Go straight on ,md mind them not. If they block up your p,tth, walk around thorn, and do your duty logardless of }our npite. A man who has no eucmiPb i-< seldom #ood for dvythwg— he is made vi that kind of material which is so easily worked that evciy one han a hand in it. A bterling character— one who thinks for him-elf, and speaks what he thinks— is always -ure to have enemies. They are as necessary a^fresh air ; they kpep him alive and active. A celebrated character, who was "tirrounded by enemies, us^d to remark : they are sparks which, if you do not blow will go out of themselves." Let this be your feeling, while endeavouring to lay down the scandal of those who aie bitter against you. If you stop to dispute, you but as they desire, and or en the way for more abuse. Let the poor fellows talkthere will be but a react on, if you perform but your duty, and hundreds who were once alienated from you will flock lo you nnd acknowledge Ihoir error.