236 



Journal of Agricultural Research 



Vol. XVII, No. s 



seed is much less than from unpulped seed, and this lower percentage 

 is due to the advanced growth obtained by the seedlings before the 

 extreme hot weather commenced. 



In Plate 20 is shown a nursery bed of camphor seedlings just previous 

 to transplanting on December i, 191 8. In this bed the pulped and the 

 unpulped seed were planted in alternate rows. The small seedlings from 

 the unpulped seed are almost obscured by the alternate rows of large 

 seedlings which were obtained from the pulped seed. 



At the time of transplanting, the seedlings had reached the compara- 

 tive size shown in Plate 21 A. In all instances the pulped seed had pro- 

 duced hardier and more vigorous seedlings, which, when trimmed and 

 cut back as shown in Plate 21 B, were in a better condition to withstand 

 the shock of transplanting. The superior growth of the seedlings from 

 pulped seed was so marked that measurements were taken of 258 seed- 

 lings of this lot and compared with measurements taken of the same 

 number of seedlings that came from unpulped seed. The results are 

 given in Table V. 



Table V. — Average groivth attained by camphor seedlings during the growing period 

 between germination of the seed and transplanting of the seedlings 



Treatment of seed. 



Number of 

 seedlings 

 measured. 



Average growth. 



Length of 

 stem. 



Length of 

 taproot. 



Diameter 

 of crown. 



Pulp removed . . . . 

 Pulp not removed . 



2=;8 

 258 



Inches. 



Inches. 

 17-7 

 ^5-0 



Inches. 

 o- 473 



.320 



If the growth of seedlings from seed on which the pulp remained is 

 considered as 100 per cent, then the increased growth in the seedlings 

 from the pulped seed is: For length of stem, 18.1 per cent; for length of 

 taproot, 15.6 per cent; and for diameter of crown, 47.8 per cent. The 

 latter vigorous growth is of special interest from the commercial point of 

 view, since the loss from transplanting is much less with roots of large 

 diameter than it is with small roots, which are more easily dried out 

 during the period that elapses between the removal of the seedlings from 

 the seed bed and the date of the beginning of growth the following 

 growing season. The increased growth of the seedlings is brought about 

 directly by pulping the seed, since it insures a more rapid germination and 

 gives the plant an early start in the spring and consequently a much 

 longer growing season. The increased growth and vigor reduce to a 

 very low figure the loss through transplanting. 



