A) 
collected, especially of cultivated forms. The exact origin of 
many cultivated plants is unknown, for example the Jimson weeds 
(Datura Stramonium and D. Tatula), Petunia, Indian corn (Zea 
Mays). Cultivation has resulted in a further increase of troubles. 
To give accurate names in such difficult groups as Dianthus, Allium, 
Sedum, Saxifraga and Artemisia is a lifetime of work in itself. 
It is little wonder that seed collections often have errors in de- 
termination. 
Comparatively little is known about the optimum conditions 
for germination of seeds of native plants; it is only in the last 
few years that intensive work has been done. Some seeds require 
freezing before they will germinate, others need a heat treatment. 
Some take two years to germinate, others still longer. The Japa- 
nese botanist, Dr. Ohga, has reported that seeds of the lotus 
(Nelumbo nucifera), known to be at least two hundred years old 
could still be germinated. 
Some seeds, for example species of Magnolia, will not germinate 
if they are dried; others will not germinate unless they are allowed 
to dry. The Indian rice (Zizania aquatica) must be kept under 
water in order to survive. Some seeds sprout almost immediately 
after ripening, such as the golden club (Orontiuwim). A visit to 
collect the seeds of Orontium will result in finding sprouting plants 
instead. Some seeds such as those of the orchids ordinarily re- 
quire the presence of fungi for germination, although in recent 
years complicated methods of growth in nutrient solutions without 
fungi have been devised by Dr. Knudson, of Cornell University. 
Citations of peculiarities in seed germination could be extended 
almost indefinitely. 
In order to avoid duplication the Brooklyn Botanic Garden has 
recently confined itself to the collection of seeds of woody plants 
in one year and of herbaceous plants in the succeeding year, except 
for such specialties as may seem desirable. Since seeds of native 
plants have been most in demand, their collection has been less 
restricted than in the case of cultivated species. The area of pine- 
barrens extending from Cape Cod to New Jersey and southward 
still offers an abundance of material rarely or never seen in 
cultivation. Of unusual interest from the pine-barrens in our 
list for this year are the seeds of cat-briers (the red-berried Smilax 
