SUMMER MEETING. 



105 



From the above table it will be seen that in the eight hour series there was 

 a gain of time in the germination of the seeds that had been soaked in the 

 prepared solutions over those soaked in the pure water, 'with one exception. 

 The greatest gain was with the lime-water. 



In the twenty-four hours' series it is evident that the seeds soaked too long, 

 especially in the chlorine solutions, where nearly every seed failed to germi- 

 nate. In pure water the radishes and peas did well, while the cabbage, for some 

 unknown reason, failed entirely. 



The seeds in the lime-water came out ahead, yet they did not average so well 

 as in the eight hour series. 



From these experiments I am convinced that the germination of most seeds 

 may be hastened by a previous soaking in solutions other than pure water; 

 and that a very weak solution of lime-water has the most marked effect, 

 reducing the time of germination to thirty-six hours. This latter corresponds 

 with the results obtained by Von Humboldt with radish seeds soaked in the 

 mono-chromide of camphor. Being unable to procure this camphor compound, I 

 could not repeat Yon Humboldt's experiment. 



Whether or not this hastening effect would continue and manifest itself 

 throughout the growth and development of the plant, I did not determine. If 

 it will, might not this process be applied in the raising of early market vege- 

 tables? There is still room for experiment. 



The exercises under Prof. Bailev's charge were listened to with a o-reat deal 

 of interest, and were a marked feature of the June convention. 



The society now resumed its work, with President Lyon in the chair. 



REPORTS OF COMMITTEES. 



The first report was from the committee on exhibits, as follows: 



The committee on exhibits find several varieties of apples shown by Mr. 

 Warren Smith of Lansing that appeared in good condition for the advanced 

 season of the year. There were also several kinds of strawberries shown by 

 Mr. S. R. Fuller of Eaton Rapids and several ladies and gentlemen of Lansing, 

 making a very creditable show in the department of that delicous fruit. They 



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