100 a ef is - REPORT OF Sctmwet & Co. [Oc 2 R 1918. 
life and can Heslop their perms Gnly: in ihe tiene A leu aan 
great influence on the germination of some seeds. There are such as will ge i 
only after having been exposed for some time to the wintery cold, others must even 
get frost-bitten in several winters in order to germinate fully. Some it is the 
abrupt change of warm and cold that starts the germination. ae 
Many experienced growers indicate that the seeds of a good nurhbee of Biante 
germinate quickly and surely only if sown immediately after the harvest. An important 
criterion for the value of seeds is their being healthy. It occurs rather frequently that 
the seeds carry bacteria which attack the young plants or destroy the germs. They 
can be killed by treating the seeds with mercurials. or ae 
A review of the aromatic plants discussed by Gentner now follows. 2 
The male fern (Aspidium filix mas, L., Polypodiacee) is propagated best by dividing 
the rhizomes. -Ferns may be reared ‘iene spores. too. In this case, pieces of peat 
are put into dishes with glass covers after having been soaked with hot water. The | 
lower part of the dishes must always contain water, so that the peat remains sult 
moist. The spores are sown on the peat. First the prothallus develops and from its 
after fertilization, the little fern plants which must be thinned out later on. a 
The seeds of conifers germinate very slowly, generally Speaking. Some kinds 
want light, others germinate only after a fairly long period of severe cold. The seeds — 
of juniper are reported not to germinate always in the first year. It is best to allow — 
the seeds immediately after the gathering to start germination in moist sand, “4 
dust or similar materials and to sow them in the second spring. Juniper seeds arem 
said to want a thorough freezing before germinating and it is probable that the same 
applies to savin seeds. A 
Calamus (Acorus Calamus, L., Aracee) is propagated exeiuaively ie dividing thell 
rhizomes. The fruits only ripen in the hot parts of East Asia, where the plant has” 
come from, whereas they never ripen with us. % 
Saffron (Crocus sativus, L., Iridacece) is chiefly propagated in autuum through the 
new bulbs formed. The Reet germinate only in the dark and lie in the soil for several 
months before starting. 7 
The iris (Iris florentina, L., Iris germanica, L., and Iris pallida, Lam., Ividacece) can 
be propagated by dividing ae? rhizomes and through seeds. These are sown in decayed 
leaves mixed with sand or in mould and lie a long time before germinating. — 
The hop (Humulus Lupulus, L., Moracee) is propagated exclusively through pieces . 
of the old rhizome, about 12 to 18 cm. long and with four or five buds. Only female 
plants are grown. The seeds only germinate in the light. _ ‘| 
Hazelwort (Asarum europewn, L., Aristolochiacee) occurs frequently. in our woods, | 
so that it would not pay to grow it. The seeds germinate better in the light, but th 
lie six months before starting. ee § 
As to the seeds of Chenopodium ambrosioides, L., Chonisettecae no remarks are. tO 
be found. a 
The seeds of love-in-a-mist (Nigella sativa, L, Ranunculacee) germinate in the 
within a few days, whereas they easily become hard in the light. It is advice if 
fore, to cover the seeds well with soil. ! 
The white and black mustard (Sinapis alba, L., Brassica nigra, L., Onwifere) germ 
completely after 10 days. 
7 
h 
germinate easily. ‘ 
