70 GERMINATION OF SEEDS 



appear, taste of the sprouted grain and also of an unsprouted 

 grain of the same sort. 



How do they compare in sweetness? Crush a few 

 sprouted grains and test for starch and for grape sugar. 

 Make the same tests on unsprouted grain. Result? 



Note. See also Note, Experiment 42. 



55. EFFECT OF MUTILATION 



Object. To learn the effect of mutilation upon growth 

 of seeds. 



Apparatus. Sprouting beans, peas, and squash seeds, a sharp 

 knife, cheesecloth, tumblers, and water. 



Method. Cover several tumblers with cheesecloth, hold- 

 ing it fast with rubber bands or cord. 



Punch three small holes through each cheesecloth cover 

 and fill the glasses with water. 



Carefully cut away one seed leaf from one seed and both 

 seed leaves from another. 



Then place the seeds upon the cheesecloth with the root- 

 let of each projecting downward through one of the punc- 

 tures into the water. Each tumbler should have three seeds, 

 one whole, one with one seed leaf removed, and the other 

 with both removed. It is best to do this with at least three 

 kinds of seeds, such as bean, pea, and squash. Continue 

 the experiment for ten days, renewing the water from time 

 to time as it evaporates. Note the result. Which seeds 

 sprouted most rapidly? Which least rapidly? 



Conclusion. What is the effect of mutilation on growth 

 from seeds? 



Query. Is the result in this experiment caused by the 

 shock due to mutilation or to the removal of the food supply ? 

 Give reasons for your answer. 



