On the Aborption of Water by Rice-Seed. 



BY 



H. Ando, A^dgahts/ii. 



The time required for saturation with water is different with 

 different kinds of seed, the quality of water, and the temperature 

 during steeping. Our farmers have from a very old time been in 

 the practice of steeping rice seed for days, weeks or even more 

 than 3 months; 3 weeks being general. They generally select cool 

 places, especially in warm regions, so that the seeds remain 

 without sprouting ; but the question is whether such a long time is 

 required for rice seeds to absorb sufficient quantity of water for 

 germination. 



To solve the question I have undertaken a series of experiments 

 in 1 894- 1 895. Various samples of rice seeds were steeped in water 

 and the increase of their weight was observed from time to time 

 until it became fairy constant. 



EXPERIMENT I. 



This experiment was made in April 1894, when the daily 

 temperature of the atmosphere stood betw een 10° and i6°C. On the 

 sixth day of steeping, some of the grains began to germinate, and 

 thereafter the increase of weight was no more observed. The result 

 is shown in the following table : — 



