JJ SUGAR BEET SE»;D. 



A. F. Jesnez claims that he has noticed that in 

 years wheij the maturing period was excessively hot, the 

 seed ripened too soon. This fact may be demonstrated 

 by cutting the seed in two and examining with a strc>ng 

 magnifying glass. It will be noticed that many of the 

 seed cells are empty. The excessive heat is supposed 

 to have closed the plant cells before their maturity, 

 leaving, however, the outer surface very hard, which in 

 many cases frequently misleads, and even when the 



Fig. 23. Matured seed with dried petals on stalk. 



germ exists, the sprouts in the germinator do hot 

 appear as soon as they do under ordinary conditions 

 of growth. 



Physiological Functions of the Embryo and 

 Albumen. 



We are all aware that albumen forms a food 

 supply for the young plant during its early develop- 

 ment; but this question considered from a physiolog- 

 ical and chemical standpoint is a new departure. A 

 portion of what follows is the conclusion of Drs. West- 

 ler and Stoklasa. 



These examinations offer great difficulty, owing 

 to the close adherence of the perisperm (albumen) 



