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Story
October 19, 1929
The Milwaukee Leader
Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
What is this article about?
Dr. F. E. Denny's experiments at Boyce Thompson Institute in Yonkers, NY, show that poisonous chemicals like sodium thiocyanate can induce dormant plants, such as potatoes, to sprout and grow out of season, potentially freeing farmers from seasonal constraints.
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Poisoning Plants to Make Them Grow
"Poisoned to life!"
This expression describes the amazing results of a series of experiments recently conducted by Dr. F. E. Denny, of the Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research, at Yonkers, N. Y. Poisonous chemicals, it is announced, will cause dormant plants to flower and bear fruit, and may, at some future time, free the farmer and the gardener from the tyranny of the seasons. The causes for the chemical changes produced in the plants, Dr. Denny says, cannot yet be explained.
The reason for the dormant periods of plants, he adds, is itself still a mystery.
During the course of the experiments nearly two hundred and fifty different chemicals were tested among them ethylene, ethylene chlorhydrin, ethyl iodide, and sodium thiocyanate.
In one of the experiments, freshly dug potatoes were caused to sprout after an application of a poisonous chemical. The tubers, instead of being given their usual Winter rest in the cellar, were soaked in sodium thiocyanate for one hour. In some cases, the potatoes were stored in closed containers for twenty-four hours after soaking, which further sped germination. Not only was sprouting rushed by the "poison process," but the potatoes were also made more productive, the "eyes" in some instances yielding from two to six shoots instead of one.
"Poisoned to life!"
This expression describes the amazing results of a series of experiments recently conducted by Dr. F. E. Denny, of the Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research, at Yonkers, N. Y. Poisonous chemicals, it is announced, will cause dormant plants to flower and bear fruit, and may, at some future time, free the farmer and the gardener from the tyranny of the seasons. The causes for the chemical changes produced in the plants, Dr. Denny says, cannot yet be explained.
The reason for the dormant periods of plants, he adds, is itself still a mystery.
During the course of the experiments nearly two hundred and fifty different chemicals were tested among them ethylene, ethylene chlorhydrin, ethyl iodide, and sodium thiocyanate.
In one of the experiments, freshly dug potatoes were caused to sprout after an application of a poisonous chemical. The tubers, instead of being given their usual Winter rest in the cellar, were soaked in sodium thiocyanate for one hour. In some cases, the potatoes were stored in closed containers for twenty-four hours after soaking, which further sped germination. Not only was sprouting rushed by the "poison process," but the potatoes were also made more productive, the "eyes" in some instances yielding from two to six shoots instead of one.
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
Extraordinary Event
What themes does it cover?
Nature
Recovery
Triumph
What keywords are associated?
Plant Poisoning
Chemical Experiments
Dormant Plants
Potato Sprouting
Seasonal Growth
What entities or persons were involved?
Dr. F. E. Denny
Where did it happen?
Boyce Thompson Institute For Plant Research, At Yonkers, N. Y.
Story Details
Key Persons
Dr. F. E. Denny
Location
Boyce Thompson Institute For Plant Research, At Yonkers, N. Y.
Event Date
Recently
Story Details
Experiments using poisonous chemicals like sodium thiocyanate induce dormant plants to sprout and grow, as shown with potatoes that sprouted multiple shoots instead of resting in winter.