212 
Germination  of  Belladonna  Seed.    {  Am.  jour.  Phan 
1  <•        May,  19 17. 
Table  IV. 
Table  Showing  the  Total  Percentage  of  Seed  Germinated  at  Each  Period 
of  Observation. 
IS  umber  of 
Total  percentage  of  seed  germinated  at  the  end  of  each  period. 
Lot. 
individual 
plant. 
Jan.  9. 
Jan.  13. 
Jan.  18. 
Jan.  23. 
Jan.  30. 
Feb.  6. 
Feb.  15. 
Feb.  24. 
Mar.  7. 
A  . 
I 
0.6 
2.3 
3-3 
5-3 
13.0 
2 1 
49 
(\i 
0/ 
71 
2 
3 
10. 0 
20.3 
49 
63-7 
7o 
°3 
84-3 
3 
2 
5-3 
9 
14-6 
24-6 
2  o.O 
47 
51 
54 
4 
36 
8.6 
13-6 
20 
32.5 
68.6 
79 
80 
Average.  . 
2-3 
8.2 
II-3 
12.5 
29.8 
40.8 
60.6 
70 
72.3 
B 
1 
0 
1 
3 
6.3 
15-3 
22.6 
35-5 
40 
41.6 
2 
0.3 
1 
1.6 
3-6 
9 
12 
37-3 
52 
54-6 
3 
7.6 
30.3 
45-3 
54-5 
60.3 
64 
68 
68.1 
68.3 
4 
0 
0 
1 
6.3 
18 
35-6 
61.6 
74-3 
76 
Average.  . 
2 
8.1 
12.7 
17.7 
25.6 
33-5 
50.6 
58.6 
60.1 
C 
1 
4.6 
12.6 
17-3 
21 
28.3 
34-3 
42 
57 
58.6 
2 
4 
12 
15.6 
20.3 
29.6 
32-6 
39-3 
52 
53-6 
3 
0 
1 
1-3 
1.6 
5 
11.3 
19.6 
32.6 
36.3 
4 
0.6 
2 
3 
7.3 
18.3 
26.6 
46 
7i-3 
73-3 
Average .  . 
2.3 
6.9 
9-3 
12.5 
20.3 
26.2 
36.7 
53.1 
55-4 
We  have  here  then  a  plain  indication  that  the  best  seed  from  a  physi- 
cal standpoint  is  the  most  desirable  for  planting.  From  this  it  would 
appear  that  the  method  of  gathering  the  seed  followed  in  Lot  A  is 
the  logical  one  to  use.  Another  conclusion  to  be  drawn  from  the 
data  is  that  the  molding  and  decomposing  of  the  berries,  while  it 
detracts  from  the  appearance  of  the  seed  does  not  very  greatly  affect 
its  vitality.  As  a  matter  of  practice,  however,  screening,  washing, 
and  drying  the  seed  immediately  after  picking  the  berries  is  more 
convenient  than  to  allow  the  latter  to  stand  around  in  trays.  Atten- 
tion is  again  called  to  the  probability  of  picking  immature  seed  if  the 
berries  are  allowed  to  dry  on  the  plant.  The  probable  presence  of 
such  seed  in  Lot  C  is  indicated  by  the  data  on  germination. 
Variation  in  the  Germination  of  Seed  from  Individual 
Plants. 
The  foregoing  data  furnish  some  information  regarding  the 
variation  in  the  germination  of  seed  from  individual  plants.  To 
show  this  more  plainly  a  table  of  average  is  submitted. 
A  study  of  this  table  and  Chart  5,  which  shows  the  data  arranged 
graphically,  will  reveal  the  fact  that  seed  from  plant  No.  4  showed  a 
50  per  cent,  greater  germination  than  seed  from  plant  No.  3.  Since 
