EFFECT OF MOISTURE AND TEMPERATURE. 



27 



box was brought directly to the laboratory and tlie seeds were exam- 

 ined at once. Those contained in the paper packages had absorbed a 

 considerable quantity of moisture and were much softened. In all of 

 the packages except those containing the onion and watermelon seeds 

 some mold had developed; but in the seeds used for the germination 

 tests care was taken to avoid using those that showed any trace of 

 a mycelium, thereby reducing the injury due to fungous growth to a 

 minimum, even though subsequent experiments have shown that such 

 injury is practically negligible. 



An interesting point concerning the germination of some of the 

 seeds at this low temperature may be stated in this connection. Eight 

 of the peas, or 4 per cent, had already germinated, the radicles vary- 

 ing in length from 1 to 2.5 cm., thus corroborating Cloth's results in 

 germinating peas at or slightly below the temperature of melting ice. a 



TABLE VIII. The vitality of seeds kept in an ice house in envelope 

 wise the vitality of the controls. 



and bottles, and like- 



In making up the averages the result of the germination of the phlox was omitted because a sub- 

 srqut'iit examination showed that the bottle containing this sample of seed was broken at the bottom, 

 thus admitting sufficient moisture to destroy vitality, as is borne out by the second test. 



The above table shows, as previously stated, that the results of the 

 first tests are incomplete and not very satisfactory, owing to the fact, 

 that the germination tests were unavoidably delayed for eight days 

 after the seeds were taken from the ice house; but with the second set 



a Flora, 1875, pp. 266-268. 



