REPORT OF THE SOCIETY 



87 



and half air, was retained by adding gufficient carbon dioxide each day, to 

 keep the water at the 6 litre mark. It was found that the water absorbed consid- 

 erable of the gas, requiring an addition to be frequently made. 



As a further control another set of seed was placed under a bell-jar, in a 

 similar manner, in an atmosphere of air alone. Observations regarding the rate 

 and type of germination were made each day on the different lots of seed. 



In the following table the germination percentages of the different lots of 

 seed are given. 



TABLE IV. 



EflFect of Carbon Dioxide on the Germination of Treated Seed. 



As was be expected, there was a retardation in all the seeds germinated in 

 the atmosphere of carbon dioxide compared with those germinated in the 

 atmosphere of air. No retardation was evident in the Banner oats treated with 

 the formalin solution, and germinated in the atmosphere containing carbon 

 dioxide, compared with the control in the same atmosphere. There was, 

 however, a noticeable difference in the rate of germination in the Libert 3' oats. 

 The retardation was followed by a reduction in germination. The above 

 results would suggest that the Liberty oats were more sensitive to the inhibitive 

 action of the carbon dioxide than the Banner. 



Effect of Presoaking Before Formalin Treatment. 



The previous experiments have shown that the Liberty oats are apt to be 

 extremely injured b}^ the formalin dip method of treatment. In order to find 

 a means of preventing or reducing this injury, presoaking of the seed in water 

 was resorted to before the seed was dipped in the formalin solution. Braun 

 (1920) found that this was a helpful means of reducing and preventing injury 

 to seed wheat due to chemical disinfectants. 



Lots of seed, obtained in the usual manner, were soaked in tap water for 

 three hours, drained, and kept in moist chambers for three hours. On removal 

 of the seed from the moist chambers, part of each variety was taken and treated 



