93 



Some of the above tables &re incomplete, because of con- 

 ditions we could not control. 



Soaking in salt solutions of whatever strength and for any 

 length of time up to seventy two hours does not lower the per 

 cent of germination although the stronger solutions do retard 

 germination. 



Each table is followed by a corresponding set of curves. 

 The tables are placed together and the curves in another group 

 for convenience of comparison, 



A study of the tables and curves shows a very sudden in- 

 crease in the mean time of germination,:. This sudden and marked 

 retardation occurs nearer to the time of beginning the soaking 

 of the seeds as the time of soaking is lengthened. There is a 

 general tendency toward lengthening the mean time of germina- 

 tion as the strength of the solution increases, but always with 

 peculiar variations. The amount of v/ater taken up decreases as 

 the strength of the solutions increases; the variation in the 

 amount of v/ater in the seeds accounts for the general length- 

 ening of the mean time of germination. The sudden great in- 

 crease in the mean time of germination I cannot understand. It 

 may be due to some peculiar relation existing between the corn 

 and a certain amount of NaCl absorbed with the water, Salt is 

 actually found in all portions of the grains after soaking for 

 twenty four hours in 20 % salt solutions as I proved by chem- 



