The experiments conducted in the Botanical Laboratory of the Mass- 

 achusetts Agricultural College have followed in many instances those 

 of Specuew, previously described. The objects of these experiments 

 have been three fold. First, to determine whether the seed germ 

 responded in any way when subjected to electrical influence. Second, 

 should there be any visible action, to determine whether it was injur- 

 ious or beneficial. Third, to determine the effect of different 

 strengths of current. These experiments have been carried on from 

 a scientific standpoint rather than from any practical applicalion to 

 which they may be put, although with proper apparatus the use of 

 electricity may prove of considerable service in ihe germination of 

 some small seeds which under ordinary conditions start very slowly.* 



APPARATUS AND METHODS. 



The kinds of apparatus and the methods described are those which 

 gave the best results, while others, employed at first, but found 

 unsatisfactory have not been considered. 



The batteries used in the experiments were of two kinds, namely, 

 four Leclanche cells arranged in series giving an electro-motive force 

 of from four to five volts and two No. 1 Samson cells giving an 

 electro-motive force of two and eighiy-eight hundredth volts. Had 

 long periods of treatment been desired, gravity cells would have 

 answered the purpo>e much better, but as the current was never 

 used for more than five minutes at a time and then the battery 

 allowed a period of rest, no difficulty was experienced from its run- 

 ning down and a comparatively constant strength of current could 

 be obtained. The great advantage gained in using the Sal ammoniac 

 battery is the ease with which it may be set up and renewed when 

 exhausted. 



In order that a large variation in electro-motive force could be 

 obtained, an induction coil was employed. The one in use was a 

 Du Bois-Reymond inductorium, manufactuied by the Cambridge 

 Scientific Instrument Co., England. This coil is a form of the 

 Ruhmkorff apparatus, but has several special modifications which 

 makes it especially adapted to this form of experiment. In figure 1 

 there is shown at (I) a side view of the coil as it is set up for use. 

 The primary coil (C), consisting of a core of soft iron rods, is fixed 



*Tho3e who are not interested in the minute details connected with these exper- 

 iments can obtain an idea of tlie results by glancing at the figures in the accom- 

 panying tables and at the general summary of results at the end. 



