432 TRANSACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS OF [Sess. lvi. 



The whole apparatus can be taken to pieces or put together 

 in two minutes, and locked with lock and key that no one 

 but those in possession of the key can get access. 



He claimed that the conditions for germination in the 

 apparatus are very perfect, and closely approach those that 

 may be obtained in the open field. Whilst the seeds are kept 

 moist and at a uniform temperature, the circulation of warmed 

 fresh air prevents the growth of fungi, a most important 

 matter for good germination ; and by the arrangement of the 

 air-pipes the entrance of the acetylene ]3roduced by the 

 combustion of the coal-gas, which plays havoc with the 

 germination, is prevented. 



Mr Alexander Mackenzie asked whether the results 

 obtained in this germiuator had been compared with those 

 in actual practice. It appeared to him that the percentage 

 of seeds that would germinate under such nicely-adjusted 

 conditions would be largely in excess of that under natural 

 conditions. 



Mr M'Alpine pointed out that germination of the seed 

 was a different thing from development of a seedling plant, 

 and that whilst a number of seeds would show in his ap- 

 paratus incipient germination, proving their vitality, all of 

 tliem would not produce ultimately plants. 



Mr James Grieve remarked that in his experience, seeds 

 sown in pots of finely-prepared soil in a temperature of 60° to 

 70° give a more correct return than those sown on bricks, wet 

 cloths, &c. He also pointed out that the time of gathering 

 and time of sowing affect the germination. Seeds of clover, 

 Da'pltne, and other plants, if very ripe when harvested, take 

 longer to germinate than if gathered before they are hard and 

 dry. Da'phne Ilczeretir/i, red-beixied variety, gathered before the 

 berries become red will braird in spring, but if left till ripe 

 and red, will remain in the ground for two years. White 

 mezereon has wliite Ijerries, and shows tlie same features. 

 Trials sown in November, December, and January do not give 

 such a good return as those sown later, which in the good 

 clear days vegetate quicker and give a larger percentage in 

 germination. 



