976 



Report on the Treatment of Seeds. 



[JAN., 



Treatment apparently disadvantageous. 





Untreated 

 Seed. 



Electrified 

 Seed. 



Gain or Loss due to 

 Electrolytic Treatment. 



Ca. 2969 Ears . . 



4-2 



3-9 



Loss of 7 per cent. 



Straw 



13-8 



IO-6 



23 



Ca. 2999 Ears . . 



6-8 



4*3 



37 



Straw 



187 



i6*7 



11 ,, 



Ca. 3001 Ears . . 



8-8 



7-6 



„ 13-6 



Straw 



20 'O 



i6-8 



16 



Ca. 3003 Ears . . 



i6-i 



11*9 



26*1 



Straw 



177 



14*3 



19*2 



Out of 14 measurements in these seven different cases only 

 four are in favour, whilst eight are against the process. It 

 is obvious, therefore, that while a farmer using treated seed 

 might be fortunate and obtain such a result as is shown by No. 

 2,998 or No. 3,000, he stands a much greater chance of gaining 

 nothing, or even apparently of losing. 



As an objection to this series of experiments it might be 

 urged that too long an interval had elapsed between treatment 

 of the seed and sowing. Such an objection would of course 

 be a drawback to the treatment. In the case of winter corn 

 one can never be sure of sowing directly the seed arrives, or 

 even soon after : there is always the possibility of being caught 

 by the weather. In another series of experiments, however, 

 made by Professor Somerville at Oxford, this objection does not 

 hold, as the seed, also treated in December, was sown on 15th, 

 1 6th, and 17th January. The results were : — 



Treatment apparently advantageous. 





Untreated 

 Seed. 



Electrified 

 Seed. 



Gain or Loss due to 

 Electrolytic Treatment. 



Ca, 2998 Grain 

 Straw 



Ca. 3003 Grain 

 Straw 



grams, 

 io*6 

 48-4 

 6-8 

 26*7 



grams. 

 15-6 

 58-9 

 13-1 

 36-4 



Gain of 47*2 per cent. 



21'7 



„ 92-6 

 36-3 



Treatment apparently ineffective. 



Ca. 3001 Grain 



9*9 



IO'2 



Straw 



51-6 



57-8 



Ca. 3000 Grain 



ii*o 



12*3 



Straw 



52*1 



45*2 



Ca. 2999 Grain 



9-1 



io'4 



Straw 



40-4 



39-1 



Ca. 2969 Grain 



8-6 



7-6 



Straw 



30-9 



32-9 



None. 



Gain of I2'0 per cent. 

 II-8 



Loss of 13*2 

 Gain of 14 '3 

 Loss of 3*2 

 11-6 



Gain of 6*5 



