[From the 22d Annual Report of the Secretary of the Mass. State Board of Agriculture.]

WRIGHT & POTTER, STATE PRINTERS,

79 MILK STREET (CORNER OF FEDERAL).

1875.

PHENOMENA OF PLANT-LIFE.

The observations concerning "The Circulation of Sap in Plants," which I had the honor of presenting before the Board of Agriculture at their last country meeting, were so kindly received at the time, and awakened so much interest after their publication, that I have found it impossible to refrain from further investigations upon the phenomena of plant-life. Among the subjects to which special attention has been directed during the year, the following may be enumerated, viz. :

First. The structure, composition and arrangement of the winter-buds of hardy trees and shrubs. Specimens for study were collected, in January and February last, from one hundred and forty species, and some facts of interest recorded.

Second. The percentage of water to be found in the branches and roots of trees during their annual period of repose, as well as when in active growth.

Third. The phenomena and causes of the flow of sap from wounds in trees when denuded of their foliage, as well as the flow from the stumps of woody and herbaceous plants when cut near the ground in summer. In connection with this subject, an attempt has been made to determine what species. flow, how rapidly and copiously, and under what circum

stances.

The pressure exerted by the sap exuded from detached roots of trees under ground, as well as that exhibited upon gauges placed at different elevations from the earth, has also been very carefully observed upon a number of species.

The facts determined are even more remarkable than were noticed last year, and are particularly important in the case of the sugar-maple.