54' EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



would be passed through the whole apparatus. When this apparatus 

 was used the seeds were first germinated in sawdust, and when the 

 radicles had reached a length of 2 cm. they were transplanted to the 

 sand. 



For the germination experiments the apparatus is fully described. 

 The plants which were investigated, to ascertain the effects of elec- 

 tricity in the germination and growth of radicles, were white mustard, 

 rape, red clover, and barley. Twenty- five seeds of each kind were used 

 in G4 lots. The details of the germination are tabulated. The effects 

 of electricity on the germination and growth of radicles and hypocot- 

 yls of white mustard, rape, and red clover were investigated and the 

 results tabulated. A comparison of different strengths of currents 

 was also noted, as well as the effect of hourly treatment on the seeds of 

 the horse bean and white lupine. 



From the results of the experiments the author concludes that the 

 application of certain strengths of electric current to seeds for short 

 periods of time accelerates the process of germination. It was found 

 at the end of 24 hours over 30 per cent more seeds were germinated of 

 the treated lots than of the normal ones; and at the end of 48 hours 

 there was about 20 per cent excess. The seeds receiving the electrical 

 stimulation also gave a higher total percentage of germination than the 

 other. The effect of electricity on the germination of seeds shows that 

 there is a maximum, optimum, and minimum strength of current. The 

 minimum strength of current at which acceleration was barely percep- 

 tible is a little less than one volt. The optimum is about three volts, 

 and the maximum current, which was not definitely determined, is a 

 comparatively high voltage. 



The seeds subjected to but a single application lost the stimulating 

 effect within a few hours; but when it was applied hourly to germi- 

 nated seeds or growing plants it acted as a constant stimulus to their 

 growth and development. 



Variety tests of vegetable seeds, S. T. Mayxard, J. H. Putnam, and S. W. 

 Fletcher ( Massachusetts Hatch Sta. Bui. 44, pp. 27-36). — A report is given of a series 

 of experiments conducted during the spring of 1896 to determine the vitality and 

 purity of garden seeds as placed on the market. Fourteen kinds of vegetable seeds 

 were purchased from 7 different seedsmen. The seed were divided into 2 lots, and 

 50 of each lot were placed in a seed tester and 50 were germinated on cheese cloth 

 laid upon moist sand and covered witli boards. The results of both tests were quite 

 uniform, and the averages of tlie two are given in tabular form. 



Field tests with vegetables, S. T. Mayxard, J. H. Putnam, and 8. W. Fletcher 

 (Massarhitseilx Hatch Sta. Bui. 44, pp. 36-44).— Field tests are reported of samples of 

 seed of beets, lettuce, radishes, cabbages, celery, cucumbers, onions, parsnips, 

 squashes, and tomatoes. The yield, quality, and relative worth of the different sam- 

 ples are given. The vitality of the seeds as shown by the tests is also given. The 

 average percentages of vitality for the different seeds were as follows: Beets 77, cab- 

 bage 83, celery 70, cucumber 87, lettuce 97, onion 80, parsnip 71, radish 86, squash 81, 

 and tomato 90. 



Concerning the influence of light and chemical reagents on the germination 

 of seed, A.J.J. Vandevi:lde (Hot. Centbl., 69 {1897), No. 11, pp. 287-24$). 



