1921] STRAUSBAUGH—DORMANCY AND HARDINESS 347 
These changes appear conspicuously when the data for the entire 
dormant season are presented. 
An examination of the data of Table VII reveals three very 
significant facts. First it will be noticed that throughout the 
period of dormancy the moisture content of the leaf buds of a given 
variety is considerably lower than that of the fruit buds. This 
may be a factor in the greater resistance of the leaf buds to low 
temperatures. In the second place it will be observed that the 
moisture content of the leaf buds of Assiniboine is uniformly higher 
than that of the leaf buds of the other two varieties. Lastly the 
moisture content of the fruit buds of Assiniboine is lower or higher 
than that of the fruit buds of Stella and Tonka according to the 
temperatures prevailing at the time the collections are made. 
Dehydration of buds by sulphuric acid 
When the marked differences in moisture content and moisture 
retention of leaf and fruit buds in these varieties with different 
degrees of hardiness became apparent, it seemed advisable to 
investigate such differences further. Accordingly a series of 
experiments was undertaken, first with buds alone, and later with 
buds attached to the twigs, to study the movement of moisture 
by carefully controlled laboratory methods. Fruit buds were 
collected in small weighing dishes provided with closely fitting 
covers. These dishes were then placed uncovered in sealed 
chambers containing different concentrations of sulphuric acid. 
The buds were weighed before being placed in the chambers, and 
subsequently at intervals of 12-48 hours, to determine the water 
loss. When the weighings were being made the lids were placed 
on the dishes while they were out of the chambers. 
The results of the experiment with buds alone were not entirely 
satisfactory, and consequently it was repeated with one very 
essential modification, namely, the fruit and flower buds were not 
detached from the twigs. In the repetition experiment entire 
twigs 10-12 inches in length, with buds attached, were removed from 
the tree and placed in sealed chambers so that the twig-bud system 
as a unit was exposed to the air inclosed over different concentra- 
tions of sulphuric acid. In determining the moisture losses 
