﻿THE GERMINATION OF HYDRASTIS CANADENSIS. 91 



The experiment was conducted on too small a scale to at- 

 tach any great importance to the fluctuation in the percentage 

 of germination obtained at various depths. The low germina- 

 tion percentage at 6 inches below the surface appears inex- 

 plicable. It is different with the low percentage of germina- 

 tion obtained in the case of the fourth pot, which occupied 

 the frost line, as was determined by repeated observations. 

 The results obtained with the second and third pots, re- 

 spectively 40% and 48% germinated, and 44% and 48%, 

 either germinated or in good condition, compared with the 

 results yielded by the fourth pot, 24% germinated and 36% 

 germinated or in good condition, might lead one to believe 

 that a position of the seed where it is exposed to a protracted 

 low temperature, but not subject to repeated thawing, is less 

 detrimental than a position where it can be reached only by 

 a rather severe frost, coming in the middle of the winter but 

 where the seed has already received the benefit of the higher 

 temperature of the deeper soil-layers. 



Not taking into account the results obtained with the first 

 pot, the average percentage of germination obtained is over 

 40%. From this it may be concluded that there is no valid 

 reason why Golden Seal should not be raised from seed, pro- 

 vided fresh seed is used, which, when in the soil, is pro- 

 tected from extremes of temperature. For practical purposes 

 it would be best to sow the seed in a well-drained frame, in 

 the soil, not in pots. The soil should be a mixture of loam, 

 leaf-moid and sand, and be at least one foot deep. . The seed 

 is to be covered with at least J inch of the same mixture and 

 the whole mulched to a depth of 6 inches. Sufficient protec- 

 tion to keep the frost from the seed must be given during the 

 coldest winter weather. In the early spring the mulch is to 

 be removed. 



The development of Hydrastis canadensis was fully de- 

 scribed some years ago by a practical grower, Mr. Homer 

 Bowers.* In this paper is given a detailed description of 

 the condition of the plants during the first year of their ex- 

 istence, a condition which is similar to that met with in 



* Bowers, H. I. c. p. 74. 



