4 



Maximum Amount of Water, 



The results of experiments conducted by R, Hoffmann to 

 determine the maximum amount of water certain seeds are capable 

 of absorbing are given in Versuchs-Stationen Bd.VlI z.50. In 

 the work named it is stated that corn will absorb 44 % of its 

 air dry weight of water, peas 106 .8 bean 96,1 X, and con- 

 siders this the maximum. Johnson, in his work, "How Crops ^row", 

 accepts the statement of Hoffmann, 



During my preliminary experiments I did not continue the 

 soaking of corn until it had taken up all the water it was cap- 

 able of absorbing. In fact, no corn was soaked in either dis- 

 tilled or tap water longer than twenty four hours, while in 

 salt solutions some had been continued for thirty six hours. 



In these preliminary experiments the corn gained rapidly 

 in weight up to the limit, 44 % , as given by Hoffmann and 

 Johnson. From this it is but fair to suppose, that by more 

 prolonged soaking, a far higher per cent is capable of absorp- 

 tion. The series of experiments next described, supports this 

 supposition. 



Three varieties of corn with the following characteristics 

 were used in these experiments:- * T o,l. White Flint, small ears 

 grains extremely hard, short, and with smooth rounded surface. 



^o,2. White Dent: larger ears than the other, grains of medium 



