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DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 



The third solution was pure chlorine diluted to twenty-five times its volume. 

 Besides these, pure water was used. As will be seen from the table, the 

 seeds in the water were the last to germinate. In the twelve-hour series the 

 earliest and best results were obtained with the second lime-water ; in cab- 

 bages, with the bromine-waters; second lime-water and second chlorine- 

 water in peas, with the second bromine-water and the third lime-water in 

 beans, and with the third chlorine-water and ordinary water in radishes. 

 Taken altogether, the best average percentages of germination, irrespective 

 of time of germination, occurred as follows: Second lime-water, 69 per cent; 

 second bromine-water, 65.6; third bromine- water, 63.6; third lime-water, 

 57.5; second chlorine-water, 55.3; first lime-water, 52; first bromine- 

 water, 50.4; third chlorine-water, 44.6; first chlorine water, 39.7; water, 3G. 



a [n 73 hours 80 per cent had germinated. 

 b In 73 hours 70 per cent had germinated, 

 c In 73 hfuirs 51 per cent had germinated. 

 (i In 96 hours 76 per cent had germinated. 



6 In 96 hours 53 per cent had germinated. 

 / In 73 hours 101) per cent had germinated. 

 g In 64 hours 53 per cent had germinated. 

 h In 96 hours 100 per cent had germinated. 



A series of similar experiments was performed some years since by M. Gary 

 Lea, of Philadelphia, and the results are here condensed for comparison. 

 One of the most satisfactory of Mr Lea's experiments was to ascertain the 

 influence of ozone upon germination. * The seeds were placed upon 

 gauze which rested upon water, the whole contained within a bell-glass. 

 Into two bell-glasses ozone was admitted, while others were filled with atmos- 

 pheric air. The germination and early growth were less rapid in the ozonized 

 atmosphere than in the other. In the ozone, the young roots extended them- 

 selves upwards instead of downwards, became pinkish at the extremities, and 

 soon ceased to grow. On the "twelfth day the experiment was terminated. 

 The average height of the wheat plants not exposed to ozone was ten inches; 



* Amer. Jour., Sci. 3d ser. sxxvii, 373. 



