22 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBOR ICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



3. Preliminary Experiments on the Germination of 

 Conifer Seeds. 



By Helen I. A. Gray, M.A., B.Sc. 



The following experiments were undertaken with the purpose 

 of trying to solve a problem of some practical importance — that 

 of hastening the germination of conifer seeds. The aim was 

 to find some simple treatment which would attain this object, 

 while increasing or at least without decreasing the percentage 

 germination, and without impairing the strength of the resulting 

 seedlings. 



The species of conifer seeds employed were chiefly those of 

 the European larch {Larix europaea), and Norway spruce {Picea 

 excelsa)^ and also those of Sitka spruce {Picea sitchensts) and 

 Douglas fir {Pseudotsuga Dougiasii). 



Prior to sowing the seeds, artificial treatment was given to 

 them, with water at various temperatures, and for various 

 lengths of time, and with various chemical substances, in 

 solution and in solid form as powder. 



The treatments were timed so that the seeds in each set of 

 experiments were sown at or near the same time on a particular 

 day. In no case did the difference in time of sowing exceed 

 two and a half hours. 



In every case the seeds were weighed before treatment, and 



. during all treatments they were frequently shaken up with the 



liquid, to ensure thorough soaking. The temperature of the 



room where the treatments were carried out varied from 15° 



to 20° C. 



The seeds were germinated under what may be called " ideal 

 nursery conditions," being sown in 5-inch pots in garden soil, 

 consisting of about equal parts of loam, leaf-mould and sand — 

 the same mixture being used for all. The pots were placed 

 in a cold frame, and watering was regular and uniform. 



From a series of readings, Tables I. and II. have been 

 constructed to show the results obtained in the case of European 

 larch and Norway spruce. Where warm water was used, a 

 beaker of water was placed in a Hearson incubator till the 

 temperature of the water was regulated to 50° C. Then the 

 seeds were added, and removed after twenty minutes in the 



