THE BROAD-BEAN WEEVIL. 69 
The final conclusion, however, of both series of experiments is that 
the presence of the weevils in the seed is highly detrimental, affecting 
to a very considerable degree the reproductive powers of the future 
plant and the germinating qualities of the seed, if any is produced. 
If the germ itself be penetrated the seed naturally is necessarily 
rendered sterile. 
Mr. Wood admitted that the subject was open to further experi- 
ment. 
GERMINATION TEST OF INFESTED WINDSOR BEANS FROM CALIFORNIA. 
March 8, 1912, from a quantity of Windsor beans infested with the 
broad-bean weevil, furnished by Mr. Parker from California, a number 
were selected for germination tests. 
The beans were classified as uninjured and those showing injury 
by the presence of from 1 to 5 holes or infestations. These were 
placed between cloths and covered with moist sand, remaining in this 
condition for one week. At the end of this time the beans were 
opened and the number that had germinated were counted. The 
beans had previously been divided into lots of 50 each. 
The percentages of germination as determined by Mr. C. H. Popenoe 
are as follows: 
TaBLE I.—Germination test of infested Windsor beans from California. 
. Number | Per cent 
Number of injuries. aes germi- germi- 
San: | nated. nated. 
eerteete, eee. sees ae eects Bates eae niles 2 alate e eee eels 50 37 7 
(OURS HT ERV/., GS REAR aE 5) Seles Oe eR ae net PS = Sere Semen ea ae | 50 29 58 
ED WOW MRICS serena see ea a eee ce tees sonar eter comet siaatodaeccecote fet | 50 23 46 
Wa Tey ES Ee ee oA e Sa ES ene Oe TO ease ree 50 | 27 54 
HOMMAMGMV ONT UCS aes ere ies seta neat e aoe cies aos) e aocnt eane Ae eo 65 | 21 32.3 
| 
Averazemercentare ofinjiured: beans that eerminated:-.o2- sec. scene ones ane nescence see sse 47.5 
Percentage o uninjured beans that germinated...........-..-- eta eye Beret eens See Onis Saco 74.0 
iPerceniareofeerminabple pears destroyedubys WeeWill = o2 6 a= = 2-28 eeeniee oo kn eae cee on os eeete sn BBLS 
The above figures show that even in cases where a single individual 
weevil attacks a broad bean, less than 60 per cent of such infested 
beans germinate, whereas when four or five beetles find lodgment in 
asingle seed, 32.3 per cent, or about one-third only, germinate. There 
is no doubt that seeds containing holes made by this beetle are unfit 
for planting, as, even with perfect germination, the opportunity for 
the entrance of water into the seeds stimulates decay and the seed 
frequently rots before germination. 
