BOTANICAL CONSIDERATIOSS- 25 



It is an important biological fact that the embryo 

 of beet seed is very susceptible to any change of tem- 

 perature and moisture. One might conclude fhat 

 nature had in view the protection of the seed against 

 these variations, when the testa be considered, for 

 imder its influence the variations, whatever they be, are 

 necessarily retarded. These pathological influences 

 are excited in proportion to tlie inclination of the 

 microbes of the seed to nourish themselves upon the 

 radicle of the embryo, when the germination is first 

 starting. The exterior cover of beet seed contains an 

 indefinite number of microbes; for one gram these have 

 been found to number 300,000. Hence, it is proposed 

 to increase the germinative power of beet seed by 

 steeping in a weak o.i per cent, solution of chloride of 

 mercury; this should be followed by a washing in ster- 

 ilized water. It is claimed that through this antiseptic 

 treatment the young plant is protected in advance 

 against many diseases to which it is constantly 

 exposed. The preparing of seed before sowing is very 

 thoroughly discussed elsewhere in this writing. 



