REST PERIOD STUDIES WITH SEEDS 19 



1. Planting a large number of species of seeds which were col- 

 lected when first mature, some being planted at once, while the others 

 (set incomplete), were air-dried before planting. 



2. Collecting a comparatively short list of species while the 

 seeds were still in the "dough" stage that is, quite immature and 

 planting some at once, and air-drying a similar set before planting. 

 These were compared with freshly ripened seeds in a germination 

 test. 



During the fall of 1912 and winter of 1912-13, additional tests 

 consisted of the following: 



1. Seeds of woody and herbaceous plants were subjected to 

 various treatments designed to force them into growth. 



2. A few species of seeds (mostly vegetables), were subjected 

 to a long list of treatments designed to show their effects in a com- 

 parative way on the seeds when dry and when moist. 



While the tests made during the season of 1911 yielded some 

 very interesting results, it was desired if possible, to confirm them 

 by studying a larger number of species. Also the scope of the inves- 

 tigation was to be enlarged by including several additional experiments. 

 Special efforts were made to secure a large collection of species. The 

 experience of the previous year was very helpful in enabling the col- 

 lector to locate many new plants at the right time and to quickly and 

 correctly classify the species. With more time to devote to the work, 

 the collecting began early in the spring and was carried on with more 

 thoroness than was possible the previous year. Unfortunately the 

 work of collecting was interrupted by illness on the part of the col- 

 lector about the middle of July. However, up to that time ninety-one 

 species had been already collected. The work was resumed again 

 in late September. As in 1911, seeds were again collected as nearly as 

 possible exactly at ripening time. In addition a set of immature seeds 

 was gathered. These were taken while in the condition usually spoken 

 of as the "dough'' stage. Nearly all of the green seeds were from 

 trees and shrubs that is, woody forms. 



Of the ripe seeds collected, one-half were planted at once and 

 the remainder allowed to become air-dry before planting. Two plant- 

 ings also were made of the immature seeds, one set immediately after 

 collecting and the other after becoming air-dry. The latter made no 

 growth whatever. 



It should be explained here that the incomplete set of newly 

 ripened seeds which were alowed to become air-dry before planting 

 gave about the same results as the seeds did the year before (Table 



