20 MISSOURI AGR. EXP. STA. RESEARCH BULLETIN NO. 17 



6) that were similarly treated, so the 1912 figures are not given here 

 as they would be only a repetition. 



In 1912 the seeds were planted in specially constructed beds in the 

 garden, a well-drained soil being used instead of sand. The beds were 

 equipped with cloth screens as a protection against the sun, and also 

 to enable the soil to better retain its moisture. The object of plant- 

 ing out-of-doors was two-fold ; first, to as nearly as possible imitate 

 natural conditions, and second, to avoid having the beds disturbed by 

 being used for other purposes. Such seeds as failed to grow during 

 the summer and fall were thus enabled to remain in the soil where 

 they would have an opportunity to grow the following spring. Thist 

 was thought to be one serious defect in the first year's test. In 1911 

 the plantings were all destroyed when the sand bed was used for 

 other purposes on October 15, In 1912 the seeds were planted and 

 allowed to stay in the ground until they germinated or decayed. At the 

 approach of winter a thick mulch of grass and leaves was spread 

 over the seed bed. This material was removed early in the spring 

 before growing time. 



The main test in 1912 was with the seeds that were collected at 

 maturity and planted immediately. This set of seeds consisted of 

 seventy-six species representing thirty-two orders. Some of these 

 seeds grew at once within from one to three weeks while others did 

 not grow until fall, and still others (the latter group being far larger 

 than either of the other two) did not grow until spring. For con- 

 venience the results of this germination test with mature, untreated 

 seeds will be grouped under three separate heads, namely : Table 7, those 

 showing immediate germination ; Table 8, those that germinated in the 

 fall ; and Table 9, those that germinated in the spring. The list which 

 follows Table 9 shows the species planted at maturity, which failed to 

 germinate after being in the soil for ten months. Table 10 shows the 

 results of planting green or immature seeds as compared with similar 

 kinds that were harvested at maturity. The green seeds that were 

 air-dried before planting made absolutely no germination. 



In Tables 7, 8 and 9 are shown the number of days required for 

 growth to begin in the various species that grew and also the total 

 percentage of germination for each. 



