Aug. 15, 1919 Effect of Removing Pulp from Camphor Seed 231 



until favorable germinating weather is reached. Figure 3 shows graphic- 

 ally the time required to reach maximum germination and the per- 

 centage of germination of seed secured from parent tree A at various 

 times and under various conditions. The maximum germination of all 

 pulped seed was reached by April i, 191 7, although the time of planting 

 extended over the period from December 2, 191 6, to February 10, 191 7; 

 whereas the maximum germination of the unpulped seed occurred about 

 May 10, 1 91 7, the planting period extending over the same period of 

 time as that of the pulped seed. 



The results of the germination experiments of 191 6-1 7 were so pro- 

 nounced in favor of removal of the pulp from the camphor seed that the 

 work for 191 7-1 8 was planned to include a more extended comparison 

 between pulped and unpulped seed. 



EXPERIMENTS IN 1917-18 



During the first week of November, 191 7, a seed bed was prepared on 

 soil practically identical with that employed in the experiments of 1916- 

 17. A quantity of fertilizer made by composting rose-geranium leaves 

 and stalks — after distilling the volatile oil — was turned under at the 

 time the seed bed was plowed. This fertilizer material consisted only 

 of leaves and stalks and, being somewhat intact at the time of applica- 

 tion, had a tendency to keep the soil from packing, at the same time 

 supplying some plant food as it decomposed. At the time of planting 

 the soil was moist, and no subsequent watering of the bed was necessary 

 throughout the time of the experiments. No fertilizer was applied 

 during the growing season. The plants were given the usual cultivation 

 and hoeing. Commercial conditions, with the exception of the applica- 

 tion of fertilizer, were approximated as closely as possible. 



Seed was selected from a row of ornamental camphor trees, and trees 

 were chosen which bore an abundance of fruit. Camphor seed which 

 ripens on the tree falls readily into the hand when picked. All the seeds 

 used in these experiments were fully ripened and easily secured by picking, 

 care being taken to secure seed from all sides of the tree. Each sample 

 therefore was representative of the entire yield of the individual tree. 

 All the seeds were gathered on November 27, 191 7, and planted Novem- 

 ber 28, 1917. A severe freeze occurred February 2, 1918, but as none 

 of the seedlings had appeared above ground no damage was done. In 

 Table lY are given data in reference to the treatment of the seed, rapidity 

 of germination, and percentage of total germination. 



