69 



Gbbmin'atiom' Test, Sfhtace. 

 Comparison Method Wiq and Wjo — 310 samples. 



Wfa higher resulta than Wn,. 

 6 % in 1 sample 

 5% „1 ., 



* ^ » 1 »» 



3 /b II 1 >, 

 2 % „ 3 samples 



1 % „ 10 „ 

 WiQ same results as Wk,. 

 In 14 samples, 4 %. 



^6 %. 



IFon tower resvits than W< 



If 



90 %. 



15 % „ 1 sample 



16 % J, 2 samples 

 19 % ), 1 sample 



The better results obtained by the 10° method are, in the case of 

 spinach seed, clearly evident. 



The question then arose whether these results with spinach seeds 

 originated in their being not . quite ripe. Considering the advanced 

 season, this was a priori improbable, but, notwithstanding, a number 

 of samples was controlled by us in order to obtain information on this 

 point. 



A set of 30 samples was tested in three different ways at both 10° C. 

 and 20° Centigrade: — 



1. the test was begun immediately. 



2. „ „ „ „ after an arti£lcial ripening during one week, 



3. „ „ „ „ „ a natural ripening for some months. 



With equally conditioned seed, Wjo nearly always offered higher results 

 than Wjo, Artificial and natural drjring had about the same results, and 

 BO one could arrive at the conclusion that it is one of the qualities of nor- 

 mally ripened seed to germinate better at a low temperature. A second 

 question had to be answered, namely, whether an alternating tem- 

 perature of 10 to 20° C. would be preferable, even, to a constant one of 

 10 degrees. Consequently, a series of tests was begun, some seeds germ- 

 inating at 10° C, and others at an alternating temperature. We concluded 

 that the 10 degrees method always offered better germination restilts (at an 

 average of 4 per cent, higher) than those obtained by alternating tem- 

 perature, whose only advantage is that of giving, after 7 days, a higher 

 percentage for the energy (about 6 per cent, on an average). The constant 

 10° method, however, regularly overtakes sind surpasses it in most cases 

 between the 7th and 21st day. 



Therefore, we draw the conclusion that for spinach seeds a constant 

 temperature of 10° C. is preferable to a constant one of 20° C. or to an 

 alternating one between 10 and 20° Centigrade. 



Further examples of the good influence exercised by the 10° temperature 

 are Allium Porrum, Papaver somniferum and various flower seeds. 



a 23301 



C 3 



