solution a; phase 2, solution b; phase 3, solution c; and phase 4, 

 solution d. Many other possibilities are clearly in the prospect, 

 but this plan appears to be best for the first study. It is not at 

 all well known how the solution requirements for best growth 

 may alter from one developmental phase to the next succeeding 

 one, nor is it known what may be the most satisfactory method 

 of dividing the growth period into partial periods to represent 

 the phases. The scheme of employing these four phases and 

 attempting to find the best solutions for each phase (the preced- 

 ing phase or phases having had their own best solutions) is 

 simple and readily practicable for making a start.. 



1. Germination Phase. 



General Treatment of Seed. The supply of seed should be 

 stored in a, loosely closed container, with some access of air, and 

 in a dry, cool place, free from laboratory gases, etc. The seed 

 to be used in any test should be inspected, and obviously imper- 

 fect or otherwise apparently undesirable seeds should be dis- 

 carded. Soak ten times as many seeds as the number of seedlings 

 needed, for five or six hours in a glass vessel, with a volume of 

 germination solution equal to twice their apparent volume. Then 

 place them on the germination net. 



The seeds should be uniformly distributed over the germina- 

 tion net. Since excretion and absorption by the seeds on the 

 germinating net tend to alter the germinating solution, care 

 should be taken that the seeds are not too crowded on the net. 

 Germination is to be continued until the shoots reach a height of 

 four centimeters, measured from the seed. A uniform series of 

 seedlings is then to be selected and placed in the culture jars. The 

 treatments for the four phases for wheat will now be presented. 

 Later modifications may be required, especially for the last two 

 phases. 



Germination Apparatus and Method. For germinating the 

 seeds the following scheme is to be followed, at least in its essen- 

 tials. This is not necessarily the best plan conceivable, but it is 

 one fairly good way, and it is thought to be well adapted to the 

 various exigencies of a large number of laboratories and work- 

 ers. Uniformity of method among the various cooperators is 

 again to be emphasized here as absolutely requsite. Failure to 

 adhere to the standard method would effectually prevent the 

 different sets of results from being comparable. If modifications 

 are planned, the committee should be informed in this regard. 



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