Journal of Agricultural Research 



Vol. V, No. I 



RESULTS IN I 9 13 



On account of the inability to use a large number of seeds in glass 

 tumblers, germination tests were made in tin plates in which 100 seeds 

 could be used. An equivalent of 1 50 gm. of dry soil was placed in each 

 tin plate and the necessary quantity of dry salt added. The salt was 

 well mixed into the soil, which was made up to about 20 per cent of 

 moisture. The seeds were planted and the pans covered with glass to 

 prevent the escape of moisture. The number of seeds germinating was 

 determined every day for three weeks. The results are summarized in 

 Table V. 



Table V. — Percentage of germination of seeds of New Zealand wheat which germinated 

 in 21 days in Greenville soil containing various alkali salts. Salts added dry 



On examining Table V it is seen that sodium chlorid was by far the 

 most toxic of the alkali salts and magnesium sulphate the least. The 

 data given can not be taken as final, since all of the salts were not entirely 

 dissolved and white salts could be seen scattered throughout the soil. 

 The low harmf ulness of sodium carbonate was probably due in part to the 

 fact that it is not so readily soluble as the other salts when applied dry. 



The mixed salts were more harmful than any single salt, with the 

 exception of sodium chlorid, and it is probable that the harmfulness 

 of the mixed salts was due largely to the sodium chlorid. 



Since there was such a great difference in the effects of the various 

 salts, a second experiment was made to determine more exactly the 

 critical point of concentration. The results of this test are summarized 

 in Table VI. 



