GRAINS AND OTHER SEEDS 183 



Dry grains and other seeds treated for several days 

 with hydrocyanic acid gas of any strength will not be 

 injured for food. 



Dry grains and other seeds may be subjected for 

 several months to the influence of hydrocyanic acid gas 

 at the rate of one gramme or less of potassium cyanide 

 per cubic foot without entirely destroying the ability 

 of the seeds to germinate. 



Dry grains and other seeds subjected to the influence 

 of hydrocyanic acid gas derived from one gramme of 

 potassium cyanide per cubic foot will lose their germi- 

 nating ability at the expiration of eight months, while 

 the same seeds subjected to the gas from one-third of a 

 gramme of potassium cyanide per cubic foot will 

 retain their vitality until the expiration of twelve 

 months. 



Dry grains and other seeds subjected for from fifteen 

 to sixty days to the influence of hydrocyanic gas from 

 one-third to one gramme of potassium cyanide per 

 cubic foot will hasten germination and accelerate the 

 growth of the resulting seedlings. Although the 

 acceleration continues for several days it does not seem 

 to be of sufficient duration and degree to be of any 

 practical value. 



Damp grains and other seeds are much more sensi- 

 tive to the influence of hydrocyanic acid gas than dry 

 seeds. 



Grains and other seeds soaked twenty-four hours or 

 more will not germinate in gas stronger than three- 

 thousandths of a gramme of potassium cyanide per 

 cubic foot, whereas if the seeds are soaked but twelve 

 hours, they are able to germinate in an atmosphere 



