Experiments in Forest Tree Seed Germination 19 



EXPERIMENTS IN FOREST TREE SEED GERMINATION 



L. L. BISHOP 



Detailed scientific experiments in forest tree seed germina- 

 tion have been started at the University of Nebraska by the 

 Department of Forestry. This work has been organized on a 

 broad basis and will include investigations of both native and 

 foreign seed. A greenhouse has been provided for winter and 

 summer work while outdoor work will be conducted to serve as 

 a comparison with the work done under glass. It is planned to 

 use at least one acre of experimental seed beds but as the work 

 progresses, it may become advisable to increase the area. 



The work is being done by the students in the forestry 

 courses under the direction of the head of the forestry depart- 

 ment. It is planned to start the work on a limited scale but to 

 have it continue over a period of years. The experiments will 

 include tests with as large a number of species as are available. 

 Tests will be made with the seed of the same species gathered 

 from different localities; from different sites in the same locality; 

 from different aged trees; from different shaped trees; from 

 trees grown in the open and those grown in the forest; and 

 with seeds grown on different parts of the same tree, on low 

 branches, on high branches, and on different sides of the tree. 

 Seed will also be tested from different parts of the same cone or 

 pod, from different sized cones or pods, and of different weights 

 and sizes. Green seed will be compared with well ripened seed. 

 Several of these experiments have already been started and 

 while very interesting results have been secured, it is desired to 

 substantiate them fully before they are published. The effect of 

 different degrees of light, kind of light, degrees of humidity and 

 the various methods of seed treatment will be carefully tested. 

 Included in this investigation will be the effect of several kinds 

 of storage, although this work will be chiefly concerned with 

 the species with which the United States Forest Service has not 

 done work and will be only limitedly concerned with the species 

 which the Forest Service is testing in regard to storing. 



Naturally, the greatest importance will be attached to the 

 species of the greatest silvicultural value. In carrying out the 

 work, it has been planned to have a student take charge of a 

 single phase and continue it until the course is completed when 

 it will be taken up by other students still in the course. Definite 

 records will be kept by each student and the work will be con- 

 stantly under the supervision of the professor of forestry. Students 

 will be given opportunity to work out any special problems 

 which may suggest themselves or which may be suggested by 

 the development of the work. 



