The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-09-17

" oeIine cnem1cat BomeLntng which enables plants to grow, will be the subject of a highly interest ing study soon to- be undertaken ht Connecticut College at New Lon- don. Nearing completion on the college campus is a greenhouse, scientifically equipped, in which the research will be conducted by Professor George s. Avery, Jr., his associates and advanced stu- dents in the botany department.
 To make possible this research into the question of plant hor- mones and the part they play in plant behavior, the Rockefeller Foundation has given $10,000, and additional $5,250 came from A. C.. Ernst, nationally known account ant of Cleveland, and about an equal amount was appropriated from college funds.
 Inside the new greenhouse at New London one finds that while science will permit enjoyment by those who are content with the mere fact of growing flowers and plants, there is much to suggest the research enthusiast at work. Heavily insulated laboratories be- low the surface are to be kept constantly at temperature of 79 degrees and a humidity of 90 per cent, for those are the atmospheric conditions under which plant hor- none study can best be conducted. It is in these rooms with their countless test tubes and other pa- raphernalia of the scientist that much of the study will be con- ducted.
 A botanist defines a plant hor- mone as something which, when present in minute amounts, en- ables some life process, such as growth, to go on. Hormones can be extracted chemically from q plant but there Is no known chem ical test to detect the presence of hormones in minute amounts. Al tests are made upon seedling plants. Botanists have ascertained that there are three different kinds of hormones and these have been named Auxin A, Auxin B, and Hetero-Auxin. Research find ings at the Boyce Thompson Insti- tute, Yonkers, New York, suggest that there may be many other plant growth hormones.
 The effect of light, temperature and other factors on growth Of plants, as well as the defining of different kinds of hormones, will be studied by Professor Avery and his staff. The laboratories are so equipped that monochromatic light can be thrown upon any plant at any time. Red is supposed to accelerate plant growth, while blue, violet, and ultraviolet arc deterrants. If it Is true that corn or any other plant grows faster at night, because of the unfavorable presence of blue in the daylight spectrum, that plant can have it's light without the blue and thus show what it can do in the most favorable light conditions.
 Bending of a plant stem or Of leaves toward light Is attributed to a redistribution of hormones. A similar redistribution takes place when plants are laid on their side. Their stems respond by turning up- ward, away from gravity. Part or the study will be devoted to the securing of data on this phase of plant growth and there will be re- search into the question of what relation the hormones in plant have to dwarfing, gigantism, and : the like.
 Plants such as native hollies, dogwood, and laurel, cuttings from which just refuse to take root un- der ordinary conditions, will be subjected to intense study. In some instances 1t has been found that hormones can be applied to cutting and roots speedily grow. Here, of course, is a commercial value as a possible development from the study, for growth rom seed, in many cases, Is long pro- cess.
 Professor Avery, who turned aside from a prospective career in foreign service because of his in- terest in plant science, is enthusi- astic over the possibilities of the research in the new greenhouse and hormone laboratory. He be- lieves that findings regarding hor- mones may advance the plant sciences to the extent that discoV- cry of the electron did for phy- sics. A graduate of Tulane, with higher degrees from Dartmouth and the University of Wisconsin, Professor Avery came to Connec- ticut College from the faculty of Duke University. Durin tghe year 193O-31, he held national rer search fellowship in the biological sciences. His associates in the re- search project are Dr. Paul N. Burkholder, assistant professor of botany. who is also former ra- tional research fellow, Dr. Harriet E. Creighton, an instructor. and Miss Beatrice A. Scheer, an assist ant in the department.
 Students in the advanced bota- ny courses will also be encouraged to participate in the studies.
 For several years development of interest, on the part of stu dents, in plant life has had the encouragement of the college ad- ministration. Adjoining the cam pus is the Connecticut Arboretum having as it's purpose the conser- vation and propagation of the na- tive plant life of Connecticut. The