Am.  Jour.  Pharm.  ) 
September,  1920.  | 
Belladonna  Cultivation. 
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Cultivation. — So  far  as  we  are  aware,  no  successful  cultiva- 
tions have  been  made  on  this  Continent  by  sowing  the  seed  in  the 
open  ground.  Seeds  of  belladonna  germinate  very  slowly.  After 
various  attempts  to  hasten  germination  by  the  application  of  chem- 
ical and  mechanical  measures,  we  found  the  most  satisfactory 
method  was  to  sow  the  seed  in  the  cold-frame  in  December,  and  al- 
low them  to  lie  dormant  until  February.  About  this  time  they 
begin  to  come  through  and,  if  the  weather  is  warm,  by  April  they 
are  ready  to  transfer  to  flats.  The  use  of  a  greenhouse  facilitates 
germination,  and  the  plants  are  more  advanced  for  transference 
to  the  field. 
Belladonna  seedlings  in  greenhouse  ready  for  transplanting. 
Whether  the  cold-frame  or  hothouse  method  is  used,  it  has  been 
found  necessary  to  transfer  the  seedlings  to  flats  or  pots.  While 
the  potting  method  might  be  preferable,  as  giving  a  more  firm  root, 
it  entails  a  greater  amount  of  labor  and  enhances  the  cost.  (Our 
potted  plants  have  cost  from  ten  to  fifteen  cents  each.)  The  seed- 
lings are  set  out  three  feet  apart,  in  rows  also  three  feet  apart. 
Where  roots  are  carried  over  from  one  season  to  another,  the 
problem  of  placing  them  in  the  field  is  more  simple.  Here  it  is  only 
necessary  to  dig  a  hole  in  the  ground,  and  to  cover  the  root  to  a 
depth  of  one  or  two  inches. 
In  using  the  roots  which  have  been  carried  over,  the  crowns  can 
be  divided  into  from  two  to  five  pieces,  and  each  part  will  give  a 
thrifty  plant,  especially  if  large  crowns  are  used.    Crowns  and 
