Magical Growth of Plants

Abstract

I NOTICE in NATURE of April 9 that mention is made of the experiments of M. Ragonneau in connection with what is termed the magical growth of plants. At the time when M. Ragonneau's statements were first brought under my notice, I endeavoured as nearly as might be to repeat his experiments. I first used formic acid diluted 1˙5000, the strength stated by M. Ragonneau as being that most successfully used by him. The soil was thoroughly dried, and was some which I had carefully prepared for growing Begonia seed. The seeds used were those of the Scotch thistle (Onopordiun Acanthium), a soft and easily-grown seed. The experiments were carried out in an ordinary greenhouse with temperature ranging from 55° F. to 75° F.; and although I took every precaution to avoid mischance, the seeds have not to this day shown any signs of life whatever, although seeds from the same packet, planted simultaneously under ordinary circumstances, are now well-grown young plants. After my first failure, I procured pure concentrated formic acid (sp. gr. 1˙300) freshly made, and on repeating the experiments with it, other things being the same as in the former experiment, the result was again entirely negative. I then tried various other seeds, first soaking them in water for periods varying from five hours to three days before treating them with the acid, but all with no result. So far as I could judge, the only effect of the acid was to increase the density of the seed and to retard the growth, so much so that some of the seeds (common Lupinus), which under formic acid showed no signs of growth, as soon as they were thoroughly washed and placed under normal conditions began to germinate in the usual way. Since these experiments I have tried many different seeds and many different strengths, but have only so far succeeded in retarding their growth. I also attempted to inject the acid (1˙5000) by means of a hypodermic syringe into the substance of growing seeds and bulbs, and in two instances I succeeded in killing a Begonia tuber and an Arum lily, and certainly none of the other plants treated showed the faintest symptom of increased vitality.