STUDY OF GERMINATION 



20\ 



thin board and setting chimneys down over the corks as shown 

 in Figure i . 



Following are a few ideas of the conditions that are concerned 

 in the sprouting of seeds that can be taught experimentally with 

 the chimney germinator: 



Seeds must have water in order to sprout. Arrange two chimneys 

 of seeds; thoroughly dampen the blotting paper and moss in one 

 while the other is kept dry. Otherwise treat the chimneys alike. 



Seeds kept too wet decay before, or soon after sprouting. Prepare 

 a third chiraney of seeds leaving the moss out of top. Smear a 



r^D^^^ 



Figure i. — A student-lamp chimney with a 

 cylinder of blotting paper, seeds between 

 paper and glass, and wet moss inside the 

 paper cylinder. A cork at bottom is nailed 

 to a board for support. 



Figure 2. — Chimney arranged first as in Fig. 

 I. then closed by tying rubber sheeting at top, 

 filled with water and finally water displaced 

 by hydrogen generated in the bottle con- 

 taining iron nails and sulphuric acid. To 

 demonstrate that seeds require air for germi- 

 nation. 



cork large enough to fit bottom of chimney with vaseline or drip- 

 pings of burning candle ; fit cork into chimney so as to be water 

 tight and fill the chimney to the top with water; keep the chim- 

 ney filled until it is evident the seeds will not grow. 



Applications of these lessons. Seeds are kept in dr}^ places 

 until they are wanted for planting. At times certain seeds 

 as corn, for instance, are soaked for a few hours before planting 

 that the seeds will sprout more promptly when placed in the 

 ground. After preparing beds for seeds the ground is some- 

 times sprinkled before or after planting the seeds. Some grass 



