On Seed-Steeping, 



is remarkable that throughout, nitrate of soda and muriate of am- 

 monia decidedly retarded germination. 



Iu these experiments the seeds were all left in steep the longest 

 time which it was considered could be safely done ; as it was 

 however very desirable, also to make trial of the effects of steeping 

 for different periods, the following experiment was made under 

 the superintendence of Mr. Donald. One hundred and twenty-five 

 seeds of Lupinus Hartwegii were divided into twenty-five parcels of 

 five each, and each parcel differently prepared previous to sowing. 

 One parcel was kept unsteeped ; twelve were steeped for longer or 

 shorter periods in a solution of phosphate of ammonia, formed by 

 mixing one part of the saturated solution of the salt with four 

 parts of water ; and the remaining twelve in a solution of just half 

 the strength, consisting of one part of the saturated solution 

 diluted with nine parts of water. The following table shows the 

 result of this experiment, the seeds being all sown on the same 

 day. 



This experiment, unlike those previously described, is certainly 

 not in favour of the value of phosphate of ammonia as a steep ; it is 



