12o 



The Germination of Seeds of Aris^ma. 



F. L. Pickett. 



The conns of Ariscemd tiiiiJn/Uinn .srowii for the study of form and 

 development showed great variation in size, and there was a seeming dis- 

 crepancy l)etween the number of leaves above ground and tlie number of 

 corms foimd in the soil after the leaves had withered. Following these 

 observations arrangements were made to check up carefully the points 

 suggested. 



On December 26, 1912, 900 seeds of Ariscema triphyllum were planted 

 in rich, loose loam in largo clay flower pots and subsequently subjected to 

 three sets of conditions as noted below. As leaves appeared above the 

 soil they were coiuited, one to three times per week, until no more ap- 

 peared, and a record kept for comparison with the number of corms found 

 after the growing season was over. In every case the seeds were care- 

 fully washed from the fruit pulp before planting, and when planted were 

 covered with sandy loam to a depth of 2 cm., this being ai)proximately 

 the condition in natural planting. 



One bunch of 300 seeds was placed in the greenhouse at a tempera- 

 ture of 75 to 80 deg. Fahr. immediately after planting. From this plant- 

 ing 208 leaves appeared between January 15 and March 19, 1913. No 

 leaves appeared after the last date. 



A second bunch of 300 seeds planted as the first, was left in the green- 

 house vestibule at a temperature of 50 to 60° Fahr. From this planting 

 226 leaves appeared between February 19 and April 25, 1913. No leaves 

 appeared after the last date. 



A third bunch of 300 seeds, planted as the first, was placed in a cold 

 frame until March 13, 1913, where the temperature fell slightly below the 

 freezing point, and was tlien removed to the greenhouse. From this plant- 

 ing 209 leaves appeared. 



In the summer of 1913 when the leaves of the cultures were dead the 

 corms were carefully removed and counted. The number of corms and 

 the number of leaves from each culture are given below. 



