1901.] 



PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 33. 



79 



In considering the results of asparagin experiments as a 

 whole, we find that the average percentage of germination 

 for the normals in five experiments was 74.5 per cent. ; that 

 for the treated, 88.6 per cent. When the average percent- 

 age of the normal is compared with the .5 per cent, asparagin 

 solution, we obtain 88.8 per cent, for asparagin and 74.5 

 per cent, for the normal. 



In experiments dealing with seeds showing a small germi- 

 nating capacity, some allowance must be made for individual 

 variation, and it is better to use a large number of seeds in 

 such cases, or, what is better, to have the experiment re- 

 peated a number of times with each species. Four experi- 

 ments, however, of one hundred seeds, possess more value 

 than one where four hundred seeds are used. After due 

 allowance has been made for individual variation, it will be 

 observed that the asparagin exerts an acceleration upon the 

 germination of certain seeds, and also increases their germi- 

 nating capacity. The various solutions of asparagin used 

 show no detrimental eifect upon the seeds. 



Experiments with Leiicin Solutions. 

 Leucin, like asparagin, is an amide, and is found frequently 

 in connection with the latter in germinating seeds and seed- 

 lings. The seeds were soaked twelve hours in different 

 strengths of solutions, and then rinsed before placing them in 

 Zurich germinators, as in the asparagin experiments. Tables 

 VI. and VII. give the result of two experiments with leucin. 



Table VI. — Showing the Effects of Leucin Solutions upon the 

 Germination of Buckwheat Seeds (Fago]vjrum esculentum 

 Moencli) . 



Normal average (percent.), 

 Leucin average (per cent.), 



72 

 81 2 



