Feb. 3,1923 Water Content of Barley Kernels During Growth 
34i 
numbered on each spike. One side of the spike only was studied, as the 
error of sampling was less when a larger number of spikes were included, 
the daily number of observations being necessarily limited by the time 
required to obtain the data. The kernels are numbered from the base 
to the tip of the spike, No. 1 being the basal kernel, No. 2 the next above, 
and Nos. 6 to 11 the tip kernel, depending on the length of the spike. It 
can be readily seen that the tip kernels never attained the size of those 
about the center of the spike. This fact has been frequently pointed out. 
As indicated by the percentage of water, it is quite noticeable that the 
kernels at the tip of the spike ripened much earlier than those near the 
base. The basal kernel itself is more nearly related to the tip kernels in 
that its average size is less than those above it and its maturation earlier. 
For the purpose of interpreting the table, any kernel under 42 per cent 
may be considered mature. 
