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Show SPRAYED HOLLY LEAVES STICK TIGHTER Christmas holly that is shatter-proof with leaves and berries that stick tight in transit and last longer in wreaths and sprays is possible now as the result of U. S: Department of Agriculture studies of uses of the "growth-regulating" chemicals. These growth-regulating substances were first used several years ago when it was found that these chemicals, chem-icals, sometimes called plant hormones, promote root formation in cuttings. Bureau of Plant Industry scientists scien-tists last year proved that growth substances also prevent the dropping of leaves, fruit, or flowers from plants and trees. A practical applictaion is the spraying spray-ing of apple trees to prevent fruits from dropping before they have matured and colored. The scientists had previously discovered that growth substances applied ap-plied while holly is in bloom cause it to set the red terries without pollination. This proved a practical aid to greenhouse men growing small holly plants in pots for the Christmas trade. Oregon Experiment Station horticulturists, working work-ing recently along the same lines as. the Federal Bureau, Bu-reau, suggest still another use for plant- hormones. They ret .vt that spraying or clipping cut holly in a weak solution of napth.alene acetic acid prevents the leaves and berries fro:"1 dropping off during &l:: r-nt. Aim..-; uu1'el:cva,:,y small quantifies of the I t- -: : ;'.e ' :ve A spray of only one-half tea-: f poor. :.:! of e.or."ier.l to ICO gallons of water Trove:: - app'e t'vep the A.uvau fev.n-.I. Tho Oregon station re-j "0' ; that ST'-""-""- v; ' -1 c :-y 1 per t of r.aptha-j r.L flight e.xpcr.so. |